The pros and cons of calcium

Calcium is good for you, right? It depends. If you are taking less than 600 milligrams a day of calcium from dairy products, then it will help you stay lean and prevent osteoporosis. It is even being claimed that calcium might be able to prevent colon cancer as well. All of this is certainly good for you.

Unfortunately, too much calcium may increase the risk of prostate cancer. So, if you are consuming a lot of calcium-rich diary foods, it might be wise to include a tomato salad because of its prostate-protecting lycopene and olive oil because of its cancer-fighting fat called beta-sitosterol.

Also remember that the fat-fighting properties of calcium are only activated if you obtain it from real food. Therefore, avoid taking calcium supplements unless you are following the advice of a doctor or rarely eat calcium-rich foods.