Like your skin and internal organs, bone is a living tissue. Bone is constantly being broken down and-when there's plenty of calcium-being rebuilt. The breaking down is known as "resorption." Rebuilding is called "formation."

Because this cycle of resorption and formation continues throughout your life, you always need sufficient calcium for bone health and bone strength.

• In the bone-forming years, sufficient calcium ensures that girls and young women establish calcium reserves when their bodies are most capable of calcium absorption.
• In adulthood, maintaining calcium is still important. Remember, bone continues its cycle of resorption and formation as long as you live.
• Starting with menopause, women need increased calcium since their ovaries stop producing estrogen, a hormone that helps bone formation keep up with bone resorption.
• During pregnancy and lactation, you also benefit from the extra calcium included in prescription prenatal vitamins.
   

Not everyone will have weak bones or osteoporosis. Whatever your age, taking the recommended amounts of calcium can support your bone health and bone strength.

Yes, you can get all the calcium you need from your daily diet. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to eat enough calcium-rich foods. In fact, as many as 75% of US women don't get the necessary daily intake of calcium.

Because getting enough calcium is important throughout life, it's never too late to make sure your bones are getting the calcium they need.