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Osteoporosis and Calcium

Osteoporosis and Calcium Overview

Calcium is an important nutrient and is needed for many of the body’s functions, including blood clotting and the proper function of the heart, muscles, and nerves. Calcium is also critical for the health and strength of bones. Not getting enough calcium can contribute to the development of osteoporosis (porous bones).

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by bones that are thin and fragile and can break (fracture) easily. People with osteoporosis have low bone mass, and low bone mass can result in bone fractures.

Having enough calcium in the diet is essential in helping to prevent osteoporosis and helping to prevent the loss of bone mass.

Calcium alone cannot protect a person from bone loss caused by certain medications or diseases, smoking, alcoholism, not enough exercise, or a lack of estrogen. Calcium does help a person maintain healthy bones, though, and it helps children and adolescents grow strong bones. However, only 50-60% of adults and only 10-25% of adolescents in the United States get the recommended amount of calcium.



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Osteoporosis and Calcium

Treatment of Osteoporosis »

Treatment of Osteoporosis Introduction

Osteoporosis (or porous bone) is a disease in which bones become weak and, therefore, are more likely to break. Without prevention or treatment, osteoporosis can progress without pain or symptoms until a bone breaks (fractures).

  • Fractures commonly occur at the hip, spine, and wrist.
  • Osteoporosis is the underlying cause of more than 1.5 million fractures annually (300,000 hip fractures, approximately 700,000 vertebral fractures, 250,000 wrist fractures, and more than 300,000 fractures in other areas).
  • In the United States, the estimated annual cost (including hospitals and nursing homes) for osteoporosis and related injuries is $14 billion. 
  • Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for 44 million Americans, 68% of whom are women.
  • In the United States, 10 million people currently have osteoporosis, and another 34 million have low bone mass (weak or thin bones); these people are at i...

Read the Treatment of Osteoporosis article »



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Osteoporosis, a chronic progressive disease, is the most common metabolic bone disease in the United States.

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