Teenage girls often replace calcium-rich dairy products with nutritionally inferior foods, such as soft drinks. Teenage girls who do not get enough calcium do not maximize their peak bone density, and they may be more prone to bone mineral loss and osteoporosis later in life. If you do not eat enough calcium-rich foods to maintain blood calcium, your body will pull the calcium it needs from your bones. Over many years this can make the bones porous, weak, and brittle and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis affects as many as 24 million Americans, particularly older women.
Osteoporosis increases the risk of fractures, especially of the spine, hip, and wrist.
Other symptoms of osteoporosis include lower back pain, hunched back, decreased height, and loss of bone that supports the teeth. Eating calcium-rich foods throughout life helps to increase bone density and lower the risk of osteoporosis. Sources of Calcium Calcium-rich foods are the best way to get the calcium your body needs every day. Dairy products are the primary dietary sources of calcium. These foods also contain other nutrients, such as protein, vitamin D, and lactose, that help your body absorb and use calcium.