What type of nutrient is primarily responsible for maintaining bone health?

Minerals play a crucial role in maintaining bone health, primarily through the essential components that make up the structure of bones. Calcium and phosphorus, two key minerals, are vital for developing and maintaining strong, healthy bones. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and is necessary for bone density and strength. Phosphorus works closely with calcium to build and maintain the bone matrix.

While proteins are also important for bone health, particularly for providing the collagen framework that contributes to bone strength and flexibility, it is the minerals that are most directly responsible for the mineralization of bones. Adequate intake of these minerals throughout life helps to prevent diseases such as osteoporosis, as they help maintain both bone density and overall skeletal integrity.