Author(s): Das Arti Rani and Dubey Ritu

Abstract:
Calcium is a major element in our body and an adult man of 60 Kg has nearly one kilogram of calcium. The rest is distributed in blood and soft tissues, such as muscles, the liver and the heart. Skeletal fragility at the end of the life span (Osteoporosis) is a major source of morbidity and mortality. Adequate calcium intake from childhood to the end of the life span is critical for the formation and retention of a healthy skeleton. Low calcium intake has been implicated in the development of hypertension, colon cancer, and premenstrual syndrome and it is associated with low intakes of many other nutrients. Encouragement of increased consumption of calcium-rich foods has the potential to be a cost-effective strategy for reducing fracture incidence later in life and for increasing patients' dietary quality and overall health.