5 Deficiencies of this vitamin are responsible for serious abnormalities in the mineralization of newly formed bone and result in reduced absorption. Physical Activity - Weight bearing activity determines the strength, shape, and mass of bone. Activities such as running, jumping, and dancing, as well as those that increase strength, can help bone development. Studies show that absence of exercise will result in a loss of bone mass, especially during long periods of immobilization. While calcium can be found in a variety of foods, including vegetables, grains, and dairy products, the 1994 NIH Consensus Conference on Optimal Calcium Intake designated dairy products as the preferred source of calcium.
Milk is also a widely available dairy product already a part of many American diets.
No matter which type, milk contains about 300 mg of calcium per 8 oz glass. Because children under age two should not have fat-restricted diets, children between the ages of one and two may begin to drink whole milk. Americans and 50 percent of African-Americans. It also occurs infrequently in infants and young children. There are some strategies for people who can not easily digest lactose.