Despite the findings, people still need to get enough calcium and vitamin D to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, or bone thinning.
The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 600 IU in adults up to age 70, and 800 IU for older people, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A 6-month supply of vitamin D supplements can be bought for less than $10, and many multivitamins contain the recommended daily dose of vitamin D.
As for calcium, the NIH advises 1,000 mg per day for men ages19-70, and then 1,200 mg per day for men older than 70.
To build bone density, weight-bearing exercise is needed, such as running or weight-lifting, according to the NIH.
