Calcium and Bones, Part 1

A lot of people assume that their bones stop growing when they become adults. This is not so. Bone tissue continuously dissolve and re-form.  One way to maintain strong bones is to eat foods rich in calcium.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, but your body cannot manufacture it. You have to get the calcium you need from your food.

The following are sources of calcium:

Food                          Portion                   Calcium (mg)

Swiss cheese                2 oz                           544

Provolone cheese         2 oz                           428

Monterey Jack cheese  2 oz                           424

Yogurt, low-fat               1 cup                         415

Cheddar cheese           2 oz                           408

Muenster cheese          2 oz                           406

Colby cheese                2 oz                           388

Brick cheese                 2 oz                           382    

Sardines                       3 oz                            372

American cheese          2 oz                           348

Ricotta cheese             ½ cup                         337

Milk, skim                     1 cup                          302

Mozzarella cheese        2 oz                           294

Buttermilk                     1 cup                          285

Limburger cheese         2 oz                           282

Ice milk                         1 cup                          274

Salmon                         3 oz                            271

(To be continued next week. – J.P.)

Used with permission from A Year of Health Hints by Don R Powell, PHD and the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, copyright 2010. www.healthylife.com