Calcium Rich Foods

Some of the main sources of calcium in American diets are dairy products. It has been estimated that as much as 75% of the calcium consumed in the U.S comes from these sources. However, many people in the world are unable to digest milk and other dairy products due to a condition called lactose intolerance. In lactose intolerant individuals, not enough of the enzyme lactase is produced, the enzyme needed to break down lactose. Lactose is the sugar found in milk.

Most of the races in the world, especially those where dairy products have never been a part of the native diets for long periods, are lactose intolerant. Approximately 70 - 90 percent of adults of Asian, African, Native American and Mediterranean descent are lactose intolerant. People who are lactose intolerant, or who for other reasons do not consume dairy products, have a number of other options for getting calcium. These include: non dairy sources of calcium such as legumes, leafy green vegetables, tortillas made with limestone, tofu, nuts and foods where bones are consumed such as sardines and salmon.

Smaller portions of dairy products as the body allows. Yogurt with live cultures and aged cheeses are sometimes better tolerated than other dairy products such as milk.