Everyone knows that milk is a rich source of calcium that plays a significant role in preventing osteoporosis, a crippling and fatal bone disease that affects 200 million people worldwide. However, for some 65 million Americans and 90 percent of the world's population milk is not the "perfect food" since it contributes to stomach cramps, gas, diarrhea, asthma, and eczema.

This condition is known as lactose intolerance, a widespread and universal disorder that makes eating dairy products a nightmare. First described in 1963, lactose intolerance is common among Asians, South Americans and Caucasians. It usually begins between the ages of 3 and 14 years but may show up later in life as the body loses its ability to digest dairy products.

"The reason why so many people do not feel great after drinking milk or eating foods made from it, is that they are deficient in an enzyme called lactase. Lactase breaks down dietary lactose (the sugar found in milk) into two simple sugars - glucose and galactose - both of which are most easily absorbed from the intestine than the parent lactose. When there is not lactose around, the intact, undigested lactose is fermented by bacteria normally present in the gut and causes the gas, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea that are the hallmarks of lactose intolerance," explained Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld of the New York Hospital in "Doctor, What Should I Eat?"

If so, are those with lactose intolerance doomed to suffer from osteoporosis later in life since milk is a rich source of calcium? Not so, according to medical experts. For those can't tolerate milk because of lactose intolerance (including dieters who hate milk fat and people who simply don't like the taste of milk), they can switch to other sources of calcium like beans, broccoli, nuts, fruits, salmon, and leafy greens.

They can also prevent osteoporosis by following a regular exercise program to strengthen their bones. These include weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging, running, and skipping rope. Routine exercise will protect you from osteoporosis and make you feel and look good. To enhance your exercise program, take Phenocal, a safe, natural, and effective weight loss supplement that boosts your metabolism, suppresses your appetite, reduces food cravings, and increases energy levels to keep you in shape.