Called by some "nature's perfect food," milk and its products are good sources of high quality protein, easily absorbed calcium, vitamin A, riboflavin and other B vitamins, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride and sulfur.

Milk contains lactose, a unique and simple sugar which helps increase the body's absorption of calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and zinc, while helping promote the growth of "friendly bacteria" in the intestines.

Rockview Farms dairy products are an excellent source of calcium. Calcium in milk serves in most individuals as the primary source for building and maintaining bone and teeth density and strength, as well as muscle contraction, transmission of nerve impulses and maintenance of cell membranes.

A calcium deficiency can result in retarded growth in children or the onset of osteoporosis (reduced density in bones) in adults.

To build and maintain optimal levels of calcium:

• Children should ingest three servings daily (a serving is one cup of milk or yogurt). Adequate calcium in a child's early years helps maintain bone density later in life.
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• Pregnant and lactating women should take in sufficient calcium to help calcify fetal bones and produce mother's milk, while maintaining their own bones and systems. Consult a healthcare provider for recommended sources and amounts of calcium.
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• Seniors require at least two to four servings of dairy or another calcium source to help minimize bone loss, as the body's ability to absorb calcium declines after age 55.