> ... it seems that there is a common assumption that if we do not
>drink milk, then we _need_ a calcium supplement.  I'm wondering if this is
>true or not.
 
I am nursing a one-year-old and thought it prudent to take supplements. I
take 1000 mgs of calcium daily and avoid most though not all dairy products
(that is, I skip the milk, cheese and cream sauces but don't usually read
labels for trace amounts), but have no idea what the status of my blood
calcium levels is. I guess I didn't know that could easily be tested.
 
I believe the USDA recommends 1200-1500 mgs for people like me, but I don't
know what research they base that recommendation on. Has anyone out there
read any research that claims you don't need that much dietary calcium? I'm
frankly unwilling to risk osteoporosis without some serious scientific evidence.
 
Leslie B.