Studies show that the average adult female consumes only a third of the calcium needed to maintain normal bone strength. The price being paid by many women for neglect of this vital nutrient is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis , a debilitating bone disorder, is a virtual epidemic among American women past the age of 60, has its roots in young adulthood, and is caused by insufficient calcium. After menopause, the average American woman loses an inch and a half in height each decade as a result of vertebral collapse. Far more serious, millions of fractures and tens of thousands of deaths occur annually because of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis literally means porous bones .
It is a weakened condition of the bones that results from a slow, insidious loss of calcium, the mineral that builds strong bones. The first sign of osteoporosis is usually a broken bone or collapsed vertebra. Taking more calcium than you need does no good and any more than twice as much could be harmful. The best source of calcium is dairy products. One cup of skim milk supplies over 300 milligrams of calcium.