If we do not get enough calcium
every day from the foods we eat, it is taken out of our bones.
After
many years of not getting enough calcium, our bones become very weak
and brittle.
Osteoporosis is the name of this disease.
It can cause
bones to break very easily and the jaw bone to shrink so teeth are lost.
It can lead to curvature of the spine.
Older women are especially at risk
for osteoporosis.
By getting enough calcium from the food we eat all
through our life, we can make sure our bones and teeth stay
healthy.
One of the best sources of calcium
is milk, and foods made from milk, like yogurt and pudding.
Leafy
green vegetables, tofu, and canned fish with bones are also good
sources.
Other foods, such as some brands of orange juice, have added
calcium.
We can read food labels to find how much calcium is in the foods
we eat.