When your body makes new bone tissue, it first lays down a framework of collagen. Then, tiny crystals of calcium from your blood spread throughout the collagen framework. The hard crystals fill in all the nooks and crannies. Calcium and collagen work together to make bones strong and flexible.

Your body needs calcium to do lots of things. Calcium helps your muscles work so you can write, walk, sit and throw a ball. It helps send out nerve impulses. If you touch something hot, for instance, your brain quickly gets the message to say, "Ouch!" and moves your hand away. It also helps your body heal cuts, scrapes and other injuries.

Every cell in your body needs calcium. Your bones store calcium for your blood and cells. If your body doesn't get enough calcium, which can be found in some foods and drinks, it takes it from your bones. And that can make your bones weak.

From the day you're born, your bones are built and strengthened with calcium. In fact, when you're in your 20s, your bones will be their strongest ever!

Having a calcium-rich diet when you're young makes a big difference in health, now and later.

By getting the calcium when young, you will:

When you are young, especially before 20 years of age, drink plenty of low fat milk to fill in your bone bank, so that you can bank on your bones later on in life, throughout life.

To make sure your bones are still powerful, even after you're 50, 60, 80 years old, you need to get enough calcium now and keep getting it through your diet.

Nowadays, in the cities and towns children are drinking less milk and more soda based drinks like cola etc, and are getting less physical activity .

For calcium to get into the bones - run, dance, jump, walk to buy your groceries, do your household chores yourself !