Now osteoporosis becomes a potential problem, especially in women during the first years of menopause, when bone loss speeds up. Two important ways to limit the severity of osteoporosis are by attaining optimal peak bone mass in the first two to three decades of life, and minimizing the rate at which bone is lost in later years. Our bodies must maintain a constant level of calcium to function. Unfortunately, we excrete calcium normally every day. For this reason, the National Institutes of Health recommends abundant lifelong consumption of calcium.
Food sources are the best way to get calcium.
Breads and cereals, while relatively low in calcium, contribute significantly to intake of this mineral because they are eaten so frequently. Calcium-fortified foods, such as orange juice with added calcium, can supplement dietary sources. You're Probably Not Getting Enough Requirements for calcium vary, with greater needs during childhood and adolescence, during pregnancy and lactation, and in later adult life. Scientists do not agree on exactly how much calcium is enough. But they do agree that a large percentage of Americans do not get nearly enough of this mineral.