Wash these with hot, soapy water, and keep family pets away from kitchen counters. Be careful not to cross-contaminate raw and cooked fo ods. Calcium is a mineral essential for building and maintaining strong bones. It also helps muscles to contract, the heart to beat and nerves to function. Getting enough calcium is always important, no matter what your age.
Calcium needs vary throughout life, but is more critical for certain age groups.
Calcium needs are greatest during childhood and adolescence to meet the demands of rapid growth. Pregnant and breast-feeding women also have increased calcium needs. In later years, post-menopausal women have high calcium requirements to minimize bone loss. Over time, getting enough calcium can help prevent the development of osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease affecting millions of Americans, both men and women. Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them break easily.