Friday, September 08, 2006

food nutrition : Why Do Kids Need Calcium?

Calcium is a mineral found in many foods that does lots of good things for the body.

Calcium makes bones strong. Bones may seem hard and lifeless, but they are actually growing and alive. Because bones grow most during the childhood and teenage years, these times are especially important for getting them strong and healthy. By eating and drinking lots of foods with calcium, children and teens can help build their "bone banks" to store calcium to keep bones strong for the rest of their lives.

Calcium helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that makes bones weak and break more easily. Getting enough calcium as children or teens can help protect against osteoporosis. Although the effects of osteoporosis might not show up until adulthood, kids need to get enough calcium when they are young to help prevent it.

Bones also need weight-bearing exercise to become stronger. Activities such as walking, running, jumping rope, dancing, climbing stairs, and playing team sports, like basketball, soccer, and volleyball, help make bones stronger.

Calcium makes the whole mouth healthy. Calcium keeps teeth strong and healthy throughout life. Even before baby and adult teeth come in they need calcium to develop fully. And after teeth come in they stay strong and resist decay by taking in calcium. Calcium also makes gums healthy. Getting enough calcium as a young adult may help prevent gum disease later in life. And calcium makes jawbones strong and healthy, too.
food nutrition

by Dr. Duane Alexander

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