The more you know about calcium and Vitamin D, the better. And the sooner you understand why calcium is important is one of the best ways to build an effective calcium habit.

How Calcium Works

When taken as directed, adequate calcium intake is one of the best life-long defenses against osteoporosis. Excellent sources of dietary calcium include milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli and dried beans.

Our bodies must maintain a constant level of calcium in the blood to function. Calcium is stored primarily in the bones and teeth. However, we excrete calcium normally every day. When we don't consume it daily, our body will meet its needs by stealing calcium from our bones, weakening them over time – a process that can contribute to the development of osteoporosis.

The calcium we consume as children and teens is stored in our bones and can be considered a "calcium bank" from which our body draws calcium that we add to and draw from for the rest of our lives. That's why it's so important for young people to get adequate dietary calcium. And while we reach peak bone density somewhere around age 30, continuing to take calcium daily for the rest of our lives can help protect our bones – that's where Os-Cal can make a difference.

Many of Us Don't Get Enough Calcium

Unfortunately the great majority of us -- 90% of women over the age of 50 -- and 99% of women over the age of 70 don't get enough calcium from their diet alone. What's worse, most of us think we do! That's why there's Os-Cal calcium supplements. Taking Os-Cal twice a day with meals is one thing we can do to help ensure we get an adequate amount of calcium.

Calcium and Vitamin D for people taking osteoporosis medication

If your doctor has prescribed a medication to fight osteoporosis, don't assume that means you don't have to worry about getting enough calcium or Vitamin D. In fact, clinical studies that proved these drugs effectively treat osteoporosis also took steps to ensure patients consumed adequate amount on calcium and Vitamin D. If they did not, the patients were given calcium and Vitamin D supplements.

Don't forget the 'D'

Anyone who's concerned about getting enough calcium should also make sure they're getting enough Vitamin D. When your body gets enough Vitamin D it can get calcium to your bones more efficiently. That's because Vitamin D is essential for the efficient absorption of calcium, and that's why all Os-Cal products contain Vitamin D.

Two kinds of D.

Dietary supplements typically contain one of two types of Vitamin D: Vitamin D2 or Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is the Vitamin D your skin makes when it is exposed to sunlight and is the form your body uses most easily. In fact, Vitamin D3 is 3 to 9 times more effective than Vitamin D2. All Os-Cal variants only contain Vitamin D3. So you get the right calcium and the right Vitamin D from Os-Cal.