Calcium in food or supplements alone does not build bones unless you do strength training exercises. Adequate calcium and bone maintenance nutrient intake cannot totally stop or make one's bones any stronger, especially after menopause. Certain foods contain large amounts of calcium but the human body does not absorb some forms of calcium found in foods. The calcium in dairy foods containing Vitamin D and lactose and fortified foods, are better absorbed than plant sources of calcium. Vegetable sources of calcium contain substances that bind calcium (oxylates) which make it less available to the body. Always have butter and/or cream with cooked foods that have oxylates. Like spinach with butter. Yum! The butterfat in milk and milk products is needed for fat soluble vitamin and nutrient activators A & D to be absorbed and go to work. Always make your soup stock with the bones and add some vinegar to help leach the calcium from the bones into the stock. (Tip from Deb the Dietitian) | 
