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A charity group warned that young men and women on a dairy-free diet could be risking their bone health and it may cause osteoporosis in old age.

Diet fads being followed recently include cutting out dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese which are great sources of calcium. An inadequate supply of calcium in the body is detrimental to bone health. The body will find a way to get the calcium it needs by breaking down the bones, leading to bone mass reduction. Osteoporosis, a condition marked by fragility and brittleness of the bones, develops as a result of a deficiency of calcium and vitamin D, and other causes.

A survey conducted by the National Osteoporosis Society in the UK showed that about 20 percent of adults under the age of 25 are following a dairy-free diet or one with reduced dairy food consumption. It is important to note that the peak bone mass occurs until about the age of 30, and by the age of 40, the loss of bone mass begins.

As such, the organization emphasized the need for people who get little to no calcium in their diets to consume foods that contain calcium and vitamin D for better bone health. They include green leafy vegetables, broccoli, beans, fish such as salmon and sardines, nuts, seeds and other foods fortified with the mineral, the BBC reported.

More women than men are affected by osteoporosis. There are ways to prevent this condition. Aside from eating foods rich in calcium, it is also essential to get vitamin D which aids in the absorption of this mineral.

Exercises are also good for the bones. It is recommended to lift weights as part of some daily tasks, using elastic resistance bands, weight machines and other activities that allow a person to use his body weight like pushups and squats, according to WebMD.