Your Daily Dose of Dairy
Calcium intake by most Americans today falls far below recommended levels. U.S. Dietary Guidelines suggest at least three cups of low-fat or fat-free milk and other dairy products daily - more for teenagers and adults over age 51. Calcium is crucial for building strong bones early in life and keeping bones dense throughout the adult years. Children build at least half their lifetime bone mass during their teens.

The best way to meet calcium needs is to consume foods naturally containing calcium, and your best bet for calcium is dairy! Without dairy foods, it's nearly impossible to meet calcium requirements from other non-dairy food sources.

But that's not all. Not only do milk and dairy foods provide calcium, they contain phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, protein, niacin and riboflavin, as well as vitamins A, B-12 and D - all in a unique package of nutrients that maximizes your body's usage of calcium. Which makes milk a pretty perfect food, so drink up!

Getting Enough Calcium?
With few Americans meeting the current calcium recommendations for their age/gender group, low calcium intake levels are a major public health concern. Calcium and other dairy-related nutrients have been shown to reduce the risk of several chronic diseases, such as hypertension and stroke, colon cancer and osteoporosis. Are you getting enough?

Suggested daily calcium intake:

• 500-800 mg. for young children
• 1,300 mg. for adolescents
• 1,000 mg. for adults under 51
• 1,200 mg. for adults 51 and older

More Reasons to Dig Dairy
An estimated 10 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis, and another 34 million are at increased risk of the disease - a steady, progressive loss of bone density that makes bones fragile and susceptible to fractures. The bad news is that the disease isn't currently treatable. The good news - it's largely preventable.

There may be no better ally in the fight against osteoporosis than dairy products. If your diet is lacking in calcium, your body will steal it from your bones, weakening them and putting you at risk for osteoporosis. Building strong bones, especially before the age of 30, is a vital means of defense.

Calcium also decreases the risk of other major chronic diseases like colon cancer, hypertension (high blood pressure), pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) and obesity.

Add Dairy, Lose Weight
The percentage of overweight Americans, especially kids and teenagers, has risen sharply over the last 30 years. Consumption of low-fat dairy products may help reverse this trend.

Recent studies suggest that calcium-rich milk and dairy products provide the nutritional support you need while helping you drop the weight you don't need. Including at least three cups daily of fat-free or low-fat dairy products in a balanced, restricted-calorie diet may result in reduced body fat and accelerated weight and fat loss. The latest research also indicates that low-fat dairy sources of calcium - such as yogurt, cheese and milk - demonstrate substantially greater effects than calcium supplements. Just one more reason to head to the dairy case.

Dealing with Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance - the inability to digest lactose, the primary carbohydrate in milk - affects an estimated 30-50 million people in the U.S. By avoiding milk, the lactose intolerant risk getting an inadequate daily supply of calcium and other essential nutrients.

With education, awareness and the inclusion of dairy alternatives in their diet, people with lactose intolerance can greatly improve their calcium intake and overall nutrition. For more information on healthy nondairy alternatives for the lactose intolerant, visit www.dairyease.com and www.silksoymilk.com.

Spreading the Joy of Soy
Researchers and health organizations agree: soyfood is good food. The FDA and American Heart Association find that consuming 25 grams of soy protein a day as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. Soy protein also has been shown to reduce elevated cholesterol levels and may help manage diabetes; prevent and treat kidney disease; prevent osteoporosis by enhancing calcium retention; and prevent breast, prostate, colon and other types of cancer. Not to mention that it's a tasty alternative to dairy for the lactose intolerant among us.

For more information about the health benefits of soy, visit www.soynutrition.com.

Good for You, Good for the Earth
More consumers are taking a closer look at how their food choices impact their overall health and well-being. Horizon Organic gives families a choice they can feel good about. By eating organic foods, you're making a delicious and healthful choice for yourself, your family, even your planet.

For more information on health benefits of organic products, visit www.horizonorganic.com.