BONE HEALTH AND VITAMIN D
Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin” because your body produces it when exposed to natural sunlight. It is also an essential nutrient for calcium absorption and overall bone health*. Explore the resources below to learn how vitamin D and calcium work together to help build and maintain strong, healthy bones throughout life.*
FEATURED ARTICLE
New research shows calcium supplements are safe in helping you to meet your nutritional needs when you aren't getting what you need via diet.
THE STORY OF YOUR BONES: CALCIUM AT EVERY AGE
Calcium plays a key role throughout each stage of your life. Find out what your calcium needs are.
CALCIUM & VITAMIN D: SUPPORTING YOUR BONE HEALTH
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.
OSTEOPOROSIS: HELP REDUCE THE RISK
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.
THE SURGEON GENERAL’S REPORT ON BONE HEALTH
Bone Health and Osteoporosis:
A Report of the Surgeon General (PDF 1.5MB)
VITAMIN D: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
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.
SALMON CAKES
With 181 mg of calcium per 3 ounces, this aslmon recipe is a great way to boost your calcium level.
CALTRATE FOR YOUR BONES AND BEYOND
When people think of Caltrate, they think of bone health. But did you know it does much more for your body? Learn about other benefits of calcium and vitamin D.
VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY
Vitamin D deficiency is far more common in the U.S. than many people realize.
BENEFITS OF VITAMIN D3
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.