Calcium and Vitamin D Your Body Can Rely On
When it comes to calcium and vitamin D, milk products are sometimes imitated, but never equalled.
Milk products: The most reliable source of calcium
Throughout our lives, calcium is necessary for many of our body's vital functions. Milk products are considered to be the best source of calcium as they contain large quantities of it and it is well absorbed by our bodies.
In addition, since calcium is found naturally in milk, it is evenly distributed within the milk container1,2. Therefore, the calcium from milk doesn’t sink to the bottom of the container the way it can when it’s added to other beverages, such as soy beverages. That makes milk a very reliable source of calcium.
Vitamin D: Unsuspected benefits
Vitamin D is necessary to help your body absorb and use the calcium found in the foods you eat. For this reason, it plays an important role in the maintenance of healthy bones.
According to recent studies, vitamin D may also contribute to the prevention of colon cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes.
Are you getting enough?
Did you know that many people overestimate the serving sizes of milk products they consume? Get the full story on getting enough.
Sources
1. Heaney RP and Raffery K. The settling problem in calcium-based soybean drinks. (Letter) J Am Diet Assoc 2008;11:1753-1754.
2. Heaney RP et al. Not all calcium-fortified beverages are equal. Nutr Today 2005;40:39-44.
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