Yes, we need calcium! Especially women. After much research on dairy and casein, I believe it's healthier for our bodies to consume calcium from non-animal sources.
Casein is a protein in dairy which our digestive system has difficulty breaking down. It can irritate the immune system and stimulate mucus production, worsening allergy symptoms. This reaction to casein is why milk consumption is associated with recurrent childhood ear infections, eczema, chronic bronchitis, asthma and sinus conditions. People who have autoimmune diseases or digestive problems may find that their symptoms improve when they eliminate milk and milk products (cheese). In addition, when you consume milk products, you are ingesting the same antibiotics, pesticides, steroids, and hormones that have been given to cows directly (bovine growth hormone). Click here for additional information on dairy and milk.
List of non-dairy calcium sources:
Tofu
Fortified soy milk, chocolate soy milk
Fortified OJ
Almonds
Seeds
Beans: red beans, soy beans, chickpeas
Fortified grains
Dark green vegetables: kale, spinach, broccoli and turnip greens, watercress, cabbage, kelp
Even oranges contain a bit of calcium
