Calcium and vitamin D are both integral to bone health, the latter helping the body to absorb calcium. Poor bone health can result in development of conditions like osteoporosis and rickets, increasing the risk of broken bones from a fall in later life.

Consuming a healthy, balanced diet rich in key vitamins and minerals provides the body with the building blocks it needs for healthy bones. Learn more about the minerals required for bone health by viewing the attached infographic.

It is, however, possible to get too much of a good thing, with research suggesting that too much vitamin A can actually trigger an increased risk of bone fractures. As a precaution, experts recommend consuming liver, a food item rich in vitamin A, no more than once a week.

In addition to diet, exercise also plays an important role in bone heath. A report from the Mayo Clinic suggests that people who are physically inactive face a higher risk of osteoporosis compared with their more-active counterparts.

Lifestyle choices such as alcohol and tobacco intake can also take their toll on bone health, as can hormone levels, with too much thyroid hormone linked to bone loss.

Dr. Carolyn Dean advocates a proactive approach to protecting bone health. Maintaining a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, avoiding substance abuse, and including physical activity in daily routines have all been shown to have a positive impact. The embedded video highlights the various ways that exercise can help to promote physical and mental health and wellbeing.