Q: Can we get enough calcium from the foods we eat, or should we take calcium supplements, too?
A: A well-balanced diet that includes foods rich in calcium/dairy products, beans and greens can be enough to reach your recommended intake of calcium. But when diet is not enough, a calcium supp-lement may be nece-ssary. Calcium absorp-tion is most efficient when the dose is 500 milligrams or less. This means that taking 1,000 milligrams at one time is less effective than taking two separate doses of 500 milligrams. Exercise can help you retain calcium in your bones; sedentary people tend to lose calcium more easily than active people. You also can reduce calcium loss by avoiding excess salt and smoking.
— Indi Maharaj, registered dietitian, Erlanger’s Chattanooga LifeStyle Center
Readers: To submit a question for a professional dietitian, e-mail it to Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress.com. See this space each week for answers.