Facts About Calcium and Vitamin D

How Calcium works

Adequate calcium and vitamin D as part of a healthful diet, along with physical activity, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis in later life. 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 compensate by taking calcium from our bones, weakening them over time – a process that can contribute to the development of osteoporosis. While we reach peak bone density somewhere around age 30, adequate calcium throughout life can help build and maintain good bone health* – that's where Os-Cal® supplements can make a difference.

Don't forget the "D"

Anyone who's concerned about getting enough calcium should also make sure they're getting enough Vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption.*

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. Os-Cal® only contains Vitamin D3.

Life-Stage Group Calcium mg/day Vitamin (IU/day)

Please refer to the following chart for the recommended daily values of Calcium & Vitamin D:

Life Stage Group Calcium Recommended Dietary Allowance (mg/day) Vitamin D Recommended Dietary Allowance (IU/day)
1-3 years old 700 **
4-8 years old    1,000  600
9-13 years old  1,300 600
14-18 years old  1,300 600
19-30 years old 1,000 600
31-50 years old 1,000 600
51-70 years old  1,000 600
51-70 year old  females  1,200  600
71+ years old  1,200  800
14-18 years old,
pregnant / lactating  		 1,300  600
19-50 years old,
pregnant / lactating		 1,000  600

**For infants, adequate intake is 400 IU/day for 0 to 6 months of age and 400 IU/day for 6 to 12 months of age.
Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

The facts of Vitamin D

Our bodies manufacture Vitamin D from sunlight, and it's found in some foods – like Vitamin D fortified milk, ready-to-eat cereals, egg yolk and Swiss cheese. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Vitamin D is essential for efficient calcium absorption – without it, bones can become thin and brittle.*

Vitamin D also helps muscle cells mature and function, and it keeps them active and strong enough to support your body. Lack of Vitamin D can make your muscles weak, which is why the typical symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency are aching bones and muscle discomfort.*

According to the NIH, it can be difficult to obtain enough Vitamin D from natural food sources and sunlight. That's because many of us spend a considerable amount of time indoors or wear sunscreen whenever we're in the sun – and there simply isn't enough Vitamin D in many of our diets.

People who are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency include adults over 50, anyone who spends most of their time indoors, people who wear sunscreen (SPF 8 or greater) every time they go outside, anyone who is lactose intolerant, and African Americans and others with darker skin.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.