If you do not like or cannot eat dairy foods, calcium supplements may make up for the calcium you don't get from food. Calcium supplements come in tablet or liquid form. Supplements vary widely in the amount of calcium they contain for the price. Supplements of calcium carbonate contain the highest amount of useful or elemental calcium. If you take a calcium supplement, be sure to take it with meals and drink six to eight glasses of water each day.
Calcium helps build and maintain strong bones.
Most adults need about 1,000 to 1,500 mg. each day. Avoiding Smoking People who smoke cigarettes have a greater risk of fracture than nonsmokers. Smoking reduces bone mass. Smokers may have an increased risk because they often weigh five to ten pounds less than nonsmokers. Smoking lowers women's estrogen levels.