Strong bones are just as important for men as women. Your body needs calcium, vitamin D, other important nutrients and regular weight-bearing physical activity to make and keep bones strong and hard. Not getting enough calcium during childhood can lead to osteoporosis later in life, a disease in which bones become weak and easily fracture or break.

Adults usually reach peak bone mass by the age of 30. Learn more about the essential ways to ensure healthy bones for life.

Healthy Bones and Calcium

Men should get 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day from either foods or supplements. After age 70, calcium needs jump to 1,200 milligrams a day.

Good sources of calcium include low-fat and fat-free dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese, sardines, tofu made with calcium sulfate, calcium-fortified non-dairy beverages such as soymilk, leafy greens such as collards and kale, and fortified cereals and orange juice. Men need at least three servings of calcium-rich foods every day. A serving of calcium is equivalent to:

• 1 cup low-fat or fat-free milk
• 1 cup low-fat or fat-free yogurt
• 1½ ounces low-fat or fat-free cheese
• ½ cup tofu (prepared with calcium sulfate)
• 1 cup calcium-fortified soymilk
• 1 cup calcium-fortified juice
• 3 ounces canned sardines, with bones
• 1 cup cooked collard greens or kale

How Much Calcium Is in Your Food?

Read the Nutrition Facts Label to learn how much calcium you are getting. Calcium has a Daily Value (DV) of 1,000 milligrams a day. If a label reads:

• 30% DV of calcium = 300 milligrams
• 20% DV of calcium = 200 milligrams
• 10% DV of calcium = 100 milligrams

The Role of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a key nutrient that helps bones absorb calcium, so it's important to meet daily vitamin D needs based on age. Per day, infants need approximately 400 IU of vitamin D; children 1 to 18 years old need 600 IU of vitamin D; men under 70 need 600 IU of vitamin D; and men older than 70 need 800 IU of vitamin D.

There are three ways to get vitamin D: sunlight, food and supplements. Vitamin D is found naturally in just a few foods such as fatty fish including mackerel, salmon and tuna; egg yolks; and mushrooms grown under UV light. Milk typically is fortified with vitamin D and fortified non-dairy beverages and some brands of orange juice and cereal also are sources of vitamin D. Men who do not get enough vitamin D from foods should talk to their physician about the need to take a vitamin D supplement.

4 Ways to Keep Bones Strong

Bone health is dependent on lifestyle choices. Here are some key things men can do to keep bones strong for life:

1. Get enough calcium and vitamin D every day from foods and/or supplements.
2. Participate in regular weight-bearing exercise at least two days a week.
3. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake to two drinks per day.
4. Talk with your healthcare provider about bone health.

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