The research team, led by Jeannette Beasley, monitored the protein intake of 560 pre-menopausal women. Protein could be animal or vegetable-based.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the average percentage of protein from calories that should be consumed daily is 10-35 percent. The women, aged 14 to 40, consumed between 6 and 28 percent, placing them in the “high protein” category.

“The range of protein intakes for optimizing bone health among pre-menopausal women is unclear,” authors noted in the study. “Protein is a major constituent of bone, but acidic amino acids may promote bone resorption.”

Participants were checked annually for changes in bone mineral density (BMD). According to the report, the average BMD was similar for all participants regardless of protein consumption. Women with low vegetable protein intake, however, tended to have a slightly lower BMD.

“For every percentage increase of energy from protein, no significant longitudinal changes in BMD were observed at any anatomic site over the follow-up period,” study authors concluded. “Data from this study suggest that a higher protein intake does not have an adverse effect on bone in pre-menopausal women.”

Beasley says that protein provides a small benefit to bone health, but that these benefits may not reduce fractions in the long run. “Findings in young women could be different from those in older women because bone mass is still building up before age 30,” Beasley told Reuters.

You can test your blood sugar, you can test your blood pressure, but did you know you can test your risk of falling? You can now thanks to a screening tool developed by the University of Missouri School of Health Professions.

University of Missouri associate professor Carmen Abbott created the test to help predict an individual’s risk of falling, which they hope will help reduce the risk of injuries.

“It’s very important for adults to understand their won fall-risk factors,” Abbott said in a press release. “This test can become a primary prevention strategy that can be used in regular screenings.”

The test is made up of 16 parts, including a questionnaire and physical tests. It includes questions about fall history, what types of medication an individual takes, and whether he or she experiences dizziness. The physical tests include strengthen balance and range of motion exercises.

Testing each person allowed researchers to develop a customized risk prevention plan. “Personalizing the risk exercise prescription palatable to an individual that has not taken physical activity or the idea of decreased physical function seriously,” authors wrote.

In the University of Missouri press release, Abbott offers tips for people who wish to improve their coordination and reduce their risk of falls.

“It’s very important for adults to understand their own fall-risk factors,” she says. “What’s more important is for adults to know their risk and stay as active as possible.”

Inadequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D in the diet are contributing factors, and what better way to get these minerals than drinking a glass of milk? You might be surprised to learn that cow’s milk isn’t the only “milk” around that’s chockfull of these nutrients.

An article by MSNBC nutritionist Joy Bauer gives a whirlwind of options for getting the recommended amount of calcium. The milk-a-palooza has plenty of options for everyone, including vegans and people who are lactose-intolerant.

We broke down these options to give you the benefits associated with each:

Reduced Fat and Enhanced Skim Milk

Good, old-fashioned cow’s milk contains about 30 percent of the recommended daily intake of calcium and more than 6 percent protein. Organic and vitamin D enhanced options are also available.

Lactose-Free Milk

Lactose-free milk is made from actual cow’s milk. The enzymes needed to digest lactose are added to make it safe for people with lactose intolerance to consume. It’s full of protein and calcium, and has less fat and sugar than regular milk. Some brands actually taste like cow’s milk.

Soymilk

Protein-packed soymilk is made from soybeans. It is low in cholesterol and saturated fat and is a source of good carbs, Omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, B1 and B2.

Rice Milk

Rice milk is made from water and ground rice. It has more carbs and less protein than regular milk, but many varieties are fortified with calcium and vitamin D. As an added bonus, rice milk (like soymilk) often comes in several flavors.

Almond Milk

Almond milk has no lactose or cholesterol, which makes this a very healthy option for those of you who are lactose-intolerant or vegans. It’s full of protein, vitamin E, manganese and unsaturated fat. Its subtly sweet flavor makes it a hit with children.

There are plenty of other great sources of calcium if milk’s not your thing. The NOF site recommends eating right, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and getting tested early for bone density to reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis and its complications.

Visit MSNBC.com to read Bauer’s full story on getting the most from milk.

Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, is a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes calcium absorption, fortifying bones and teeth, and maintaining the level of calcium and phosphorus in the blood.

Vitamin D deficiency can result in conditions such as rickets in children (usually <11 ng/mL), and osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults (typically levels <25 ng/mL). Low levels of vitamin D also increase the risk of bone and heart disease, and are also associated with higher blood pressure and lower calcium and HDL cholesterol levels in later life.

Based on the information obtained from the survey, researchers found that, of more than 6,000 of children followed, nine percent (equal about 7.6 million) were vitamin D deficient, and a greater number were found to be getting an insufficient amount—61%, representing 50.8 million U.S. children. Only 4% received the recommended daily amount of vitamin D.

Children classified as “insufficient” had 15-29 ng/mL, while those who were classified as “deficient” had levels of 15 ng/mLor less. Normal range, according to the National Institute of Health, is 30-74 ng/mL.

The study is the largest of its kind to date, gaining nationwide rather than just regional data. "We expected the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency would be high,” says lead author Juhi Kumar, M.D., M.P.H., of the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center, “but the magnitude of the problem nationwide was shocking."

Vitamin D deficiency is more common for female children, those that are older, obese, drink less than one glass of milk week, and those who spend four hours or greater on the computer or watching television per day. African-American and Mexican-American children also had a greater risk.“It’s very hard to get enough vitamin D from dietary sources alone,” says Dr. Michal Melamed of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York.

Melamed, co-leader of the study, attributes part of this problem to lifestyle, recommending parents send their children outdoors. One source of vitamin D is UV-B sunlight, which converts cholesterol in the skin into vitamin D. She also recommends ditching the sunscreen for a while: “Just 15 to 20 minutes a day should be enough…don't put sunscreen on them until they've been out in the sun for 10 minutes, so they get the good stuff but not sun damage.” Individuals with darker skin and those who live in northern regions with less sun exposure should spend more time outdoors.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and teens get at least 400 IU per day, double the previous recommendation of 200IU per day. Good sources of vitamin D include fish, milk, eggs, cod liver oil, and fortified foods. Vitamin D levels can also be increased with the use of supplements.

The study's abstract is available online, and will be published in September's issue of Pediatrics.