Take an active role in your bone health. Tap into a hub of information on calcium and other bone-essential nutrients, plus guidance on how to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis at any age, and much more.
You probably know that calcium is important to your bone health. But did you know that vitamin D plays a crucial role, too? In fact, not getting enough vitamin D may reduce the calcium absorbed from food alone.
Your bones and muscles work together to keep us moving. Learn how they work together and how to keep them strong and flexible.
Not all calcium forms are the same. Calcium supplements are generally made from two sources of elemental calcium.
What is Vitamin D?
As nutrients go, Vitamin D is in a class by itself. That's because vitamin D is actually a hormone that the body produces in response to direct exposure of skin to direct Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun. Vitamin D is classified as a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that vitamin D you make and what you consume from foods and dietary supplements is stored in fat tissue for later use.
What you need to know about vitamin D, including how much you need.
Low levels of Vitamin D is far more common than many people realise.
Vitamin D helps maximize your body’s ability to absorb calcium you take in from foods and supplements. It also regulates calcium’s movement into, and out of, your bones in order to maintain calcium levels throughout the body. Without enough vitamin D circulating in your bloodstream, absorption of adequate calcium is difficult.
Protecting your bone health is easier than you think. Understand how diet, physical activity and other lifestyle factors can affect your bone mass.
Find out how much calcium your body needs based on your age, gender, and other factors. Then calculate whether you’re getting enough from diet alone.
A bone density test helps determine if you have osteoporosis. Learn more about why it’s done, how to prepare and what to expect.