Many people take calcium supplements for bone health. However, this does not significantly reduce their risk of fractures and may even be associated with a range of serious side effects and premature death because calcium from supplements can accumulate in the blood vessel walls and increase the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attacks. A new review article published in Current Osteoporosis Reports highlights this connection. It is also important to be aware that the body’s calcium absorption, distribution, and bone health depend on vitamins C, D, and K2, as well as magnesium.

- how to find the best alternatives for strong bones

Many people avoid dairy products because they are lactose intolerant, are vegan, or for other reasons. Milk is a good source of nutrients, especially calcium, but you can easily get enough calcium from other food sources. What is more, it appears that vitamin D, vitamin K2, and the calcium/magnesium ratio is even more important than calcium alone for the structure and maintenance of strong bones. Another thing to remember is that sugar, soft drinks, stimulants, and certain types of medicine can disrupt the bone-building processes. Therefore, having strong bones is about a lot more than dairy products and calcium alone. Finally, don’t forget that daily weight-bearing exercise stimulates bone density.

Lack of magnesium makes your bones weak. However, according to a study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology, if you increase your magnesium intake from food or supplements, you can prevent bone fractures, which is a common problem among middle-aged and old people. Although calcium and vitamin D are normally touted as being important for strong bones, it is equally important to get enough magnesium and to generally be aware of factors such as diet, medicine consumption, and lifestyle, all of which can deplete levels of this essential mineral.

Strong bones require minerals such as calcium and magnesium. It is also known that vitamin D plays a role in calcium absorption, and deficiencies are common among the elderly. Furthermore, deficiencies in vitamin A, folic acid, and vitamin K appear to be much more widespread among elderly patients with bone fractures compared to healthy control groups. This is highlighted in a new study published in Frontiers in Nutrition, where the researchers take a closer look at the importance of vitamins for bone health.

- and read more about why too much calcium and overconsumption of dairy products can be harmful

Fragile bones, also known as osteoporosis, is an insidious scourge. Science has its eyes on calcium and vitamin D, but osteoporosis may also be a result of getting too little vitamin K2 and magnesium, both of which are nutrients that must be properly balanced with calcium. If not, calcium may do more harm than good. Carbonated beverages, stimulants, and medicine (including statins) may also interfere with the bone-building processes. Therefore, strong bones require a lot more than calcium, and it is also important to remember daily, bone-challenging exercise.

We consume far too much sugar from candy, soft beverages or in the form of concealed sugar in our food. This impairs the body’s uptake and utilization of calcium and magnesium. Sugar can skew the body’s mineral balance, thereby setting the stage for osteoporosis and an increased fracture risk caused by minor strains. Children and youngsters are particularly prone to bone weakening and osteoporosis from an early age, which is why there is good reason to lower the threshold level for sugar intake.

Vitamin D’s role in bone health is well established, but according to a study that is published in Human Nutrition & Metabolism, a combination of vitamins D and Chas a better effect against week bones and bone fractures in patients with diabetes. The study authors address vitamin C’s role in bone health but also mention the importance of having enough magnesium, which is needed to regulate the body’s calcium distribution.

Vitamin D is important for calcium uptake and bone health. According to a placebo-controlled follow-up study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, children whose mothers supplemented with vitamin D during their pregnancy continue to have stronger bones, even at the age of seven years.
The pregnant women in the study took 25 micrograms of vitamin D, which is more than twice the officially recommended intake. It is generally important for the child’s health that its mother has optimal vitamin D levels in the blood during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Vitamin K2 clears calcium from the bloodstream and embeds it in bone tissue. Therefore, vitamin K2 is of vital importance to bone building and the prevention of atherosclerosis. Medical News Bulletin has placed even more focus on vitamin K2’s role in maintaining strong bones and reducing the risk of a fracture. The question is, how much vitamin K2 do we really need for optimal bone health, and why is it important to know the difference between vitamin K1 and vitamin K2?

According to researchers, women with weak thighs and hamstrings have an increased risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. Of course, leg muscle exercise is important for preventing this condition, but adequate nutrient intake and maintenance of the right body weight also contribute. For those who are already affected by knee osteoarthritis, glucosamine supplements can be useful. Make sure to choose glucosamine sulfate and to stick with glucosamine supplements that are listed as medical drugs if you want to be sure to obtain the desired effect.