Healthy bones require plenty of calcium, but if you're lacking vitamin D, calcium won't be absorbed into your bones.

Vitamin D exists in an inactive form in our skin. Exposure to sunlight changes this inactive form to the active vitamin D.

As we age, the body needs more vitamin D since it doesn't make as much as it used to. At age 50 the recommended intake for vitamin D increases to 400 International Units per day. At 70, the need jumps to 600 IUs per day.

Vitamin D is found in milk and in many fortified foods. Get enough vitamin D by consuming two to three servings of milk or yogurt every day.

For more help on meeting your vitamin D need, contact a dietetics professional.