Most interest in bone health focuses on osteoporosis. However, a significant contributor to weak bones is vitamin D deficiency. The major source of vitamin D in the diet is milk, which has it added to it. The only other significant potential source is cod liver oil or a generic multivitamin. Your skin will make some vitamin D from sunlight, but this happens only in the summer in Boston (and other northern climes)

If you are vitamin D deficient (based on a 25 hydroxy-vitamin D level of less than 20 ng/ml on a blood test) you may need to take a potent form of vitamin D ONCE A WEEK by prescription to rebuild your levels. After that, you will need to take a multivitamin daily to keep it normal. Vitamin D is very important for maintaining strong bones, and thus, preventing fractures. Many people who think they have osteoporosis, actually have weak bones from vitamin deficiency, as they both increase risk of fracture.

In addition to the vitamin D, you will need to take 1 gram of calcium daily. This could be achieved by:

• 3 eight ounce glasses of milk daily (low fat preferred)
• Drinking 3 eight ounce glasses of orange juice fortified withcalcium
• Taking 2 TUMS 500s daily (or other chewable form of calcium)

Together, the vitamin D and calcium will keep your bones strong, and help to prevent future problems with bone fractures. As they say, "If it ain't broke, keep it from breaking", or something like that.