Vitamin D and bone health

By Bio Island Nutrition team

It is common knowledge that calcium is essential in order to build strong and healthy bones, with 99 percent of the body’s calcium found in our bones and teeth. Interestingly, our bodies cannot produce calcium on their own and we lose some each day through out nails, hair skin, sweat and urine.

This is where a person’s vitamin D levels become important because vitamin D is needed to help the body absorb calcium from the intestines as well as regulate calcium levels in the blood. Like calcium, vitamin D cannot be manufactured by the body and is instead obtained through sun exposure or food. It is particularly important to ensure children are receiving adequate amounts of vitamin D as approximately 95 percent of adult peak bone mass is acquired by the age of twenty.

Sun exposure is the best way of obtaining vitamin D as there is only a select number of foods that contain vitamin D such as fish, eggs, and fortified foods. It goes without saying that calcium intake is also critical to ensure bone mass accumulation during childhood and to prevent bone loss during later years. This can be achieved by consuming foods high in calcium on a regular basis such as dairy products, leafy greens, legumes, tofu, and calcium fortified foods.

This information does not take into account your personal situation and is general in nature. You should consider whether the information is appropriate for your needs and seek professional medical advice.

Always consult your healthcare professional before taking any supplements or if any concerns arise.