(HealthDayNews) — It’s widely known that calcium helps build strong bones. But according to Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, iron is another important nutrient associated with bone health because it helps produce an integral component of bone called collagen.

However, companies iron is only effective in bone building when the recommended 800-1200 milligrams of calcium are consumed as well.

A recent study of menopausal women found that those who consumed about 18 milligrams of iron a day, along with adequate calcium, had the greatest bone mineral density.