Bones increase in size and mass during childhood and adolescence, reaching peak bone mass around age 30.
Osteoporosis, characterized by porous and fragile bones, is a health problem for more than 10 million U.S. adults, 80% of whom are women. (Another 34 million have osteopenia, or low bone mass, which precedes osteoporosis.) Osteoporosis is associated with fractures of the hip, vertebrae, wrist, pelvis, ribs, and other bones. An estimated 1.5 million fractures occur each year due to osteoporosis.
When calcium intake is low or ingested calcium is poorly absorbed, bone breakdown occurs as the body uses its stored calcium to maintain normal biological functions. Bone loss also occurs as part of the normal aging process.
Although osteoporosis affects individuals of both genders, women are at highest risk because their skeletons are smaller than those of men and because of the accelerated bone loss that accompanies menopause. Adequate intakes of calcium and vitamin D as well as regular exercise are critical to the development and maintenance of healthy bones throughout the life cycle.

Several clinical trials have demonstrated a relationship between increased calcium intakes and both lower blood pressure and risk of hypertension.
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) study was conducted to test the effects of three different eating patterns on blood pressure: a control "typical" American diet; one high in fruits and vegetables; and a third diet high in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. The diet containing dairy products resulted in the greatest decrease in blood pressure, although the contribution of calcium to this effect was not evaluated. Additional information and sample DASH menu plans are available on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Web site (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/index.htm).

Kidney stones in the urinary tract are most commonly composed of calcium oxalate. In the Women's Health Initiative clinical trial, postmenopausal women who consumed 1,000 mg of supplemental calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D per day for 7 years had a higher risk of kidney stones than subjects taking a placebo. Other studies, however, have found that high dietary calcium intakes decrease this risk. For most individuals, other risk factors for kidney stones, such as high intakes of oxalates from food and low intakes of fluid, appear to play a bigger role than calcium.

Several studies have linked higher calcium intakes to lower body weight or less weight gain over time . Two explanations have been proposed. First, high calcium intakes might reduce calcium concentrations in fat cells by decreasing the production of two hormones (parathyroid hormone and an active form of vitamin D) that increase fat breakdown in these cells and discourage fat accumulation. Secondly, calcium from food or supplements might bind to small amounts of dietary fat in the digestive tract and prevent its absorption. Dairy products, in particular, might contain additional components that have even greater effects on body weight than their calcium content alone would suggest.
Despite these findings, the results from clinical trials have been largely negative. For example, a meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials concluded that neither calcium supplementation nor increased dairy product consumption has a statistically significant effect on weight reduction.

Calcium is important not only for bone health but for cellular function. In nature, calcium exists in combination with other elements such as calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, calcium phosphate, and others. Your body breaks down these compounds and makes use of the elemental calcium in them. When looking at a calcium supplement, it is the amount of elemental calcium that you want. Dinocal contains 1000mg of elemental calcium.

The majority of Americans do not get enough calcium on a daily basis. Calcium builds strong, dense bones early in life and keeps bones strong and healthy later in life. About 99% of the calcium in our bodies is found in our bones and teeth. Calcium also allows blood to clot, nerves to send messages, muscles to contract and other body functions. The human body cannot produce calcium on its own which is why it is very important to get enough calcium through the foods we eat. When our diet does not have enough calcium for our body's needs, calcium is taken from our bones which can lead to osteoporosis.

Also known as cholecalciferol, Vitamin D3 plays an important role in the absorption of calcium. Dinocal contains the maximum recommended daily allowance of vitamin D with 1000IU of Vitamin D3.
Without enough Vitamin D, bones become thin and brittle, a condition called osteoporosis. Vitamin D is not naturally present in many foods which is why milk and other products are enriched with this fat-soluble vitamin. What you don't get through diet and supplements you can get from the sun. Your skin is able to convert ultraviolet rays from the sun into Vitamin D. Just a few minutes in the sun twice a week can be enough time to get all of the Vitamin D you need.

Vitamin K has been linked with reversal of bone damage from osteoporosis. A Japanese study as well as the Nurse?s Health Study both showed that there was lower occurrence of hip fractures in women who took in extra vitamin K than women who did not. Dinocal contains 50mcg of vitamin K1.

Not just for cooking, extra virgin olive oil provides an excellent matrix for the suspension of molecules. Dinocal takes advantage of this property by using olive oil as the framework for its blend of vitamins and minerals.

There is more to preventing osteoporosis than just taking calcium. Learn a little about each below.
Magnesium is the other mineral that makes up your bones. It is necessary for nerve transmission and muscle relaxation. No bone supplement is complete without magnesium and for this reason, Dinocal contains 400mg of Magnesium Oxide, 100% of the recommended daily allowance.

Boron Essential for calcium and magnesium Metabolism. Enhances maintenance of healthy cell membranes. May help improve symptoms of arthritis There is no specific recommended daily allowance for Boron. 1-3mg/ day are suggested to maintain health

Magnesium Important in the development of bones Actives and regulates over 3000 enzymes involved in energy production, respiration, and biochemical reactors. Needed for nerve transmission and muscle relaxation. Recommened daily allowance is 350-400 mg per day.