No other foods offer quite the same nutrients as milk and dairy products.  Most authorities, including the National Institutes of Health and the American Dietetic Association, recommend calcium-rich foods like lowfat milk and dairy products – rather than supplements – as the preferred source of calcium.  The American diet is chronically low in calcium – a nutrient that plays a valuable role in building strong bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.  Research indicates calcium may also reduce high blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.  The latest evidence suggests that calcium may even help in the fight against obesity – which has become an epidemic in this country.  Studies indicate that calcium plays a role in the body’s natural fat burning ability and may make weight loss efforts more effective.