That is because our bones store calcium and release it into the blood stream whenever blood levels dip below certain critical levels. The good news then is our body can withstand a short-term deficit in calcium intake by breaking down bone to meet the immediate need for calcium. The bad news is that if our diets are deficient for long periods of time we will significantly deplete the bone stores causing osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a decrease in the bone matrix, which leads to small holes in the bone tissue.
Over time, the accumulation of these holes causes the bone to thin and eventually break, even with the smallest stress such as a soft fall. In order to prevent osteoporosis, adequate calcium must be consumed throughout a person s life span, particularly during adolescence and early adulthood when bone tissue mass is being maximized. Most health experts agree that many of us may need 1200 to 1500 milligrams per day. About 75 percent of Americans consume less than what is recommended. Adults should be getting 1,000 milligrams a day and should increase their intake to 1,200 milligrams a day after age 50.