" Your body stores ninety-nine percent of its calcium in your teeth and bones. The other 1% is in your blood and soft tissue. If you do not eat enough calcium, your body will take the calcium it needs from the stores in your body. If your body continues to take calcium from your bones for a long time, you will develop osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a serious disease in which bones become more fragile, making them more likely to break."

" One important step in preventing osteoporosis is to consume your daily calcium requirement. By meeting your daily calcium intake recommendations you can promote bone development and help prevent osteoporosis. It is recommended that you do not exceed 2500 mg of calcium daily. Please note that calcium is not so easy for the body to absorb and it is essential to have enough Vitamin D intake or production in order for calcium supplements to be effective. "

" The amount of calcium you need daily depends on your age and gender. The National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board (NFB) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) have issued the following daily calcium intake recommendations. Use the charts below to determine how much calcium you should be getting daily."

" The best way to get the right amount of calcium is to eat enough calcium-rich foods every day. Dairy products and calcium-fortified foods are the best sources of calcium. Certain brands of fruit juices, cereals and breads have extra, added calcium. Non-fat and low-fat dairy products have equal amounts of calcium. Here are some good examples of calcium-rich foods."

"Note: Your body may not be able to absorb all of the calcium present in these foods."

" If you do not get your recommended daily calcium intake from food, you may need a calcium supplement. Between the food you eat and your
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