27/07/2026
🦴 Calcium & Vitamin D: Are You Getting Enough? ☀️
Strong bones need more than just calcium. Calcium builds your bones, while vitamin D helps your body absorb it. Both are essential for maintaining bone strength and reducing the risk of osteoporosis as we age.
🥛 How much calcium do adults need?
✅ Adults 19 to 50 years: 1,000 mg/day
✅ Women over 50 years: 1,300 mg/day
✅ Men over 70 years: 1,300 mg/day
🍽️ How much calcium is in everyday foods?
🥛 250 mL milk → 300 mg
🥣 200 g yoghurt → 300 mg
🧀 40 g cheddar cheese (2 slices) → 300 mg
🥛 250 mL calcium-fortified soy milk → 300 mg
🐟 95 g canned sardines (with bones) → 350 mg
🐟 95 g canned salmon (with bones) → 250 mg
🧈 100 g calcium-set tofu → 350 mg
🥬 1 cup cooked bok choy → 160 mg
🥦 1 cup cooked broccoli → 60 mg
🌰 30 g almonds → 75 mg
🥄 1 tablespoon tahini → 65 mg
💡 Four serves of dairy (or equivalent calcium-rich foods) provide around 1,200 mg of calcium, which is close to the daily requirement for most older adults.
☀️ Why is vitamin D important?
Even if you’re eating enough calcium, low vitamin D means your body can’t absorb it efficiently.
Good sources of vitamin D include:
☀️ Safe sun exposure
🐟 Oily fish such as salmon and sardines
🥚 Eggs
🥛 Fortified milk, plant milks and breakfast cereals
💊 Supplements, if recommended by your GP
Who is more likely to have low vitamin D?
• Older adults
• People who spend little time outdoors
• Those who regularly cover their skin or avoid sun exposure
• People with darker skin
• Residents of aged care facilities
Who should think about their bone health?
✔️ Women after menopause
✔️ Men over 70
✔️ Anyone who has had a fracture after a minor fall
✔️ People taking long-term steroid tablets (such as prednisolone)
✔️ Anyone with a family history of osteoporosis
Did you know?
Around 99% of your body’s calcium is stored in your bones. Looking after your bone health today can help you stay active, independent and reduce your risk of fractures later in life.
If you’re concerned about your bone health, speak with one of our GPs. We can assess your risk, arrange a bone density (DEXA) scan if appropriate, and discuss whether lifestyle changes, supplements or medication may help.
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📍 Book online or call us today
Lilydale Doctors
📞 9088 8177
🌐 https://rpb.li/Adsy8..
Mt Evelyn Doctors
📞 9736 1444
🌐 https://rpb.li/QImevg..
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