Most women have heared about the importance of calcium in prevention of osteoporosis (weak bones) but calcium is useless without adequate vitamin D. Vitamin D is ingested from the diet and is activated with exposure to sunlight. It helps your gut absorb calcium and works to reduce the natural process of bone resorption (break-down of your bones). With increased use of sunblock women are actually getting less of the sun exposure necessary to create active vitamin D. Vitamin D can be found in fortified milk (100 units per 8 ounce glass), fatty fish and to some extent, in eggs. Adults need 800 international units (Ius) of vitamin D daily. Many calcium supplements now come combined with vitamin D. If you have any signs of weak bones (abnormal bone density test, bone fracture) you should ask your doctor about a blood test to check your vitamin D level.
Tags: calcium, menopause, milk, osteopenia, osteoporosis, overactive bladder, vitamin D
