Dairy milk is making a comeback—and not a moment too soon for America’s bone health.

For years, calcium intake has declined, even as bone-weakening lifestyle factors have surged. More time indoors, fewer weight-bearing activities and lower vitamin D levels are fueling a crisis few talk about: our bones are weakening earlier and in greater numbers than most realize.

As chief of endocrinology and metabolic bone disease services at the Hospital for Special Surgery, I see this firsthand. Too many people assume bone loss is inevitable with age or something to worry about only later in life. But bone health is a lifelong investment—one that most Americans are dangerously neglecting.

We aren’t getting enough calcium, and the effects show up sooner and more severely than expected. It’s time for patients and providers to prioritize bone health through education, daily habits and prevention long before a fracture occurs.

Think of your skeleton as a cement foundation. Most of the structure you’ll rely on as an adult is built during adolescence when the body is rapidly laying down bone. Calcium is the primary mineral in that foundation, essential for strong, healthy bones. But even after the growth phase ends, bones need steady support: calcium, vitamin D and regular physical activity.

Fall short, and your body will draw calcium from your skeleton. Without enough vitamin D to aid absorption, bones serve as a backup supply and weaken over time. The result can be osteoporosis, a disease that leaves bones brittle and prone to breaking.

At least 10 million Americans already have osteoporosis, while another 45 million are at risk due to low bone density. More than half of U.S. adults over 50 face the threat of fractures that can alter their independence. The economic toll already costs the healthcare system tens of billions annually.

We can’t treat our way out of this. There’s a shortage of bone health specialists—prevention is our best weapon. That starts with calcium and vitamin D, which is most easily absorbed from dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese. For those avoiding dairy, calcium-fortified drinks and supplements can help, but they must be used properly.

Activity matters too. Our bones respond to gravity and ground impact—walking, running and strength training do more for your skeleton than swimming or cycling. “Use it or lose it” isn’t just a saying; it’s biology.

The recent uptick in milk consumption is encouraging, but the bigger shift we need is cultural. Bone health should be valued alongside heart and brain health.

We only get one skeleton. Let’s treat it like the vital organ system
it is. 

Matthew T. Drake, MD, Ph.D, is the Chief of Endocrinology at Hospital for Special Surgery. This piece originally ran in RealClearScience.