Calcium and Vitamins

Savvy. Strong.

There's a lot to be said for a good, strong backbone and a brilliant, healthy smile - and getting plenty of calcium is a great way to support both. The most abundant mineral in the human body, calcium plays a critical role in maintaining the structure and density of the bones and teeth.

Adults need about 1000-1200 mg of calcium per day to support optimum bone health. Rachel's cottage cheese has 200 mg per serving, while Rachel's yogurt contains 300 mg; making both excellent sources of calcium that fit easily into an active lifestyle. Dark green vegetables like broccoli, kale and spinach are other smart choices for the calcium-conscious.

In addition to using calcium to build bones, the body requires calcium to maintain proper muscle, blood vessel and nerve cell function. Without adequate calcium in the diet, the body will leach calcium from the bones in order to meet these needs; a process which depletes bone density over time.

Unchecked bone loss is the precursor to osteoporosis - a disease of weak, brittle bones that affects as many as 10 million Americans. The hormone estrogen provides some protection against bone loss, so women are particularly vulnerable after menopause, when estrogen levels are lower. However, studies suggest that consuming plenty of calcium early in life - when bone mass and density are being developed - may help protect against osteoporosis down the road.¹

With just one creamy cup of Rachel's cottage cheese you've reached 20% of the daily value for calcium. Rachel's yogurt offers even more with 30% of the daily value. Smart never tasted so scrumptious.

1. Carmona, RH; Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Surgeon General's Report (2004) United States Department of Health and Human Services.