Only Half of Americans Aware of Bone-Building Duo's Powerful Benefits

21/05/07 Americans have long known the importance of calcium in building strong bones; however, according to a recent study conducted by Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice, only 55 percent were aware of vitamin D's key role in bone health.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, an estimated 44 million adults in the United States are afflicted with, or at risk of developing, osteoporosis. Incorporating adequate amounts of both calcium and vitamin D in the diet is a vital component to maintaining healthy bones.

"Americans have long been uninformed of the benefits of calcium and vitamin D," said Mark Andon, Ph.D., director of nutrition for Tropicana. "When it comes to bone health, a healthy breakfast of foods containing the bone building duo of calcium and vitamin D can be a real kick start to increasing one's intake. Both are needed to help ensure optimal bone health."

While calcium works to build strong bones, vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium that would otherwise be excreted.

The survey from America's juice leader also found:
• Nearly all Americans (96 percent) know women are at risk for osteoporosis, but only 39 percent believe the same to be true for men. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 20 percent of those affected by osteoporosis are men.
• Only 17 percent believe children are at risk of osteoporosis. However, national surveys have shown many adolescents do not get the recommended amount of calcium and there is growing evidence that some are risk for vitamin D insufficiency.
• Nearly 90 percent of respondents said they would add more food with calcium and vitamin D if they were informed of the bone health benefits.

According to Andon, all people, regardless of age or gender, are at risk of developing osteoporosis. "Approximately 90 percent of our bone mass is formed by age 20, so teenage years are especially important. As adults, bones don't continue to grow, but they continue to repair and renew themselves and need adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D to do so," he said.

Bone health is affected by diet and lifestyle factors, so it's important to make the right choices starting as early as possible. "Breakfast provides a great opportunity to help meet your requirements because a number of popular breakfast foods contain both calcium and vitamin D," Andon said.

Milk, Tropicana Pure Premium Calcium and Vitamin D 100 percent pure orange juice, as well as some yogurts and breakfast cereals are perfect calcium and vitamin D choices at breakfast. An 8 oz. glass of Tropicana Pure Premium Calcium and Vitamin D orange juice provides 35 percent of the daily value of calcium and 25 percent of the daily value of vitamin D3 (as much calcium and vitamin D as milk).

Americans may soon better understand the important connection between calcium and vitamin D. Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration proposed changes to the current calcium health claim to include vitamin D as well. If approved, the claim would allow calcium and vitamin D's bone building benefits to be stated on the packaging of products that contain appropriate amounts of both.