Senior Citizens Need Adequate Calcium

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Dairy foods and leafy green vegetables are good sources of calcium, which is as important to adults as it is to children. New Mexico State University's Anna María Pérez-Wright explains.

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Getting enough calcium during your adult years can ensure not only strong bones, but also a lifetime of dental health. Food and nutrition specialist Martha Archuleta with New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service says about a third of people over age 65 don't have their original teeth.

"There's been an interesting study that's just come out of Tufts University and it's actually shown that if people have adequate calcium and Vitamin D, they will keep their teeth longer."

Adequate calcium intake also helps prevent osteoporosis, a disease that makes bones fragile and prone to break. Archuleta recommends three servings of dairy products daily for adults. A calcium supplement is a good alternative for those who cannot eat dairy foods or have trouble getting enough calcium. For N-M-S-U's College of Agriculture and Home Economics, I'm Anna María Pérez-Wright.