Significance

• Calcium helps the body build stronger, denser bones and keeps bones strong and healthy later in life, which helps to prevent osteoporosis.
  
  

Effects

• Calcium allows bones to increase in size, with mass being added until around age 30 when bones reach their peak mass.
  
  

Considerations

• It is recommended that a person under age 50 get 1000 mg of calcium per day while persons over 50 need 1,200 mg. In addition, the body needs vitamin D to be able to absorb calcium.
  
  

Types

• The body gets calcium primarily from diet, including dairy products and leafy green vegetables. However, some may need to take supplements in order to get the recommended daily allowance of calcium.
  
  

Warning

• A majority of female Americans do not get adequate calcium, which puts them at increased risk for osteoporosis.