Happy Father’s Day! Strong bones are just as important for men as for 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. Choosing foods first to meet nutrient needs is recommended, but in some cases a multivitamin-mineral supplement may be needed. Learn more about the essential ways to ensure healthy bones for life.
Healthy Bones and Calcium
Males who are between 19 and 70 years old should get 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day. 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, and calcium-fortified beverages such as soy milk and 100% fruit juice are also good sources. Leafy greens such as collards and kale and fortified ready-to-eat cereals can provide variable amounts of calcium.
To get the recommended amount, men need at least three servings of calcium-rich foods or beverages every day. A calcium-rich serving is equivalent to the following:
- 1 cup low-fat or fat-free milk
- 1 cup low-fat or fat-free yogurt
- 1½ ounces low-fat or fat-free cheese
- 1 cup calcium-fortified soy milk
- 1 cup calcium-fortified 100% fruit juice
- 3 ounces canned sardines, with bones
How Much Calcium Is in Your Food?
Read the Nutrition Facts label to learn how much calcium you are getting in each serving.
Calcium has a daily value (DV) of 1,300 milligrams a day:
- If a label reads 30% DV of calcium, it equals 390 milligrams.
- If a label reads 20% DV of calcium, it equals 260 milligrams.
- If a label reads 10% DV of calcium, it equals 130 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. Other dietary sources of vitamin D include fortified non-dairy beverages and some brands of orange juice and cereal. Men who do not get enough vitamin D from foods should talk to their physician about taking a vitamin D supplement.
Four Ways to Keep Bones Strong
Bone health is dependent on lifestyle choices.
Here are some key things that men can do to keep their bones strong for life:
- Get enough calcium and vitamin D every day from foods and/or supplements.
- Participate in regular weight-bearing physical activity, including muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week.
- Avoid smoking, and if you are a male of legal age and choose to drink, limit alcohol intake to two or fewer drinks per day, on days when it is consumed.
- Talk with your health-care provider about bone health.