Studies show that nearly half of Americans over the age of 50 are suffering from deteriorating bone health. What’s more, a large percentage of people across all other age groups are not getting sufficient bone-building nutrients in their diets or the physical activity needed for bones to be strong enough to last a lifetime.

On average, the human body is made up of 206 bones and cartilage that support and shape the body. Living bone is fragile, and when it's not cared for, osteoporosis can develop and cause increased susceptibility to fractures. According to the Surgeon General, half of all Americans over 50 are expected to suffer or be at risk for osteoporosis.

Fortunately, there are proactive measures people can take to strengthen bones and help prevent osteoporosis. "Calcium along with diet and exercise are the building blocks for strong, healthy bones, but they're not enough," said Los Angeles-based registered dietitian, Carroll Reider. "It's also important to go beyond calcium alone and incorporate other key nutrients into the diet."

Just like maintaining your car, taking care of your bones involves three major steps:

1. Awareness  – Knowing that the issue exists and that prevention is the best medicine.
2. Exercises – For increasing or maintaining bone and muscle mass, balance, and coordination.
3. Dietary Changes – To improve bone health, including supplementing properly.

To put things in layman's terms, as long as absorption, which forms and supports bones, is greater than resorption, or bone breakdown, you are going to have healthy bones.

Additionally, women's normal bone loss accelerates for about five to seven years during and after  menopause, and during those years women can lose as much as 35 percent of their bone density.  

There are certain types of medications which can cause resorption or bone density loss:

Statin Drugs
Antidepressants
Osteoporosis Drugs

In addition to medications, there are several other lifestyle factors that can cause serious bone deterioration:

Undiagnosed Gluten Intolerance
Smoking and Drinking Alcohol
Soft Drinks
Lack of Exercise

Calcium helps build and maintain good bone health. And, as part of a healthy diet, adequate calcium intake helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis.  For many people, getting the recommended daily amount of nutrients can be challenging—particularly when it comes to calcium.

The National Academy of Sciences and the National Osteoporosis Foundation report that adult men and women require a daily calcium intake of 1,000 milligrams to 1,200 milligrams a day, the equivalent of four 8-ounce glasses of milk, to ensure good bone health—and that is just the minimum.

However, according to the National Institutes of Health, a large percentage of Americans fail to meet the minimum recommended guidelines for optimal calcium intake, putting them at increased risk for osteoporosis, a significant health threat for both women and men and the major underlying cause of bone fractures in postmenopausal women and the elderly.  

While calcium is incredibly important for bone health, it should be taken with Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Vitamin K for maximum effectiveness.  For a complete bone health supplement containing all the macro elements required for optimal bone health, check out Macro Mineral Boost, which contains an ideal balance of key minerals and vitamins designed to optimize bone health.

About Hardy Nutritionals®

Hardy Nutritionals® multivitamin-mineral products are powered by our proprietary NutraTek™ mineral delivery technology, which combines each mineral with specialized organic molecules—just like nature—to optimize absorption and distribution to body cells. Our flagship supplement, Daily Essential Nutrients, is widely considered to be the most research-backed micronutrient treatment.