It does more than just prevent brittle bones. According to a new U.S. study, Calcium can also help reduce your chances of developing colorectal cancer. When researchers at the U.S. National Cancer Institute tracked nearly half a million people, they discovered that those with the highest calcium intake -- whether it was from food or supplements -- also had the lowest colorectal cancer rates. Women with the highest calcium consumption had a 28 percent lower risk of developing the disease than those with the lowest calcium intake and for men who got a lot of calcium, their risk was 21 percent lower. Research shows that calcium is such a powerful cancer fighter because it may reduce abnormal growth in cells in the gastrointestinal tract and may help reduce damage to the mucous membrane in the large intestine. Besides fortified, low fat dairy products, other good sources of calcium include leafy green vegetables, beans, almonds and even citrus fruit. If you're under 50, aim to get 200 IUs of calcium a day and if you're over 50, boost that up to 400 IUs. Many people don't get enough calcium in their diet so popping a daily supplement is a good insurance policy.
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