A low-calcium diet tells the cells to hang onto fat, store fat and get fat. Men also need to pay attention to their calcium. They get osteoporosis, too. But because it's not as common as in women, the problem is often ignored and far fewer teen-age boys get the word early that they need enough of this essential mineral. To get more calcium in your diet, start with dairy products.
Many doctors recommend low-fat products, but virtually all dairy is rich in the mineral.
A second feature from the paper describes the medical evidence for calcium's ability to prevent diseases other than osteoporosis and offers several recipes to add calcium to your meals. Some prepared foods also come enriched with calcium, such as juices, cereals and waffles. A previous HealthScout story advises parents to encourage their children to eat a calcium-rich diet. Not only do adolescents have a greater need for calcium, the body's greatest bone mass is achieved during the late teens and early adulthood.