Calcium is an important mineral for bone health, yet the need for supplementation and the body's ability to absorb calcium change throughout life. Understanding these changes helps individuals choose appropriate nutritional plans instead of relying on habits or anecdotal advice.

For children and adolescents during puberty, this is a period of rapid bone development, forming the foundation for bone health and height growth. Research from the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, and Skin Diseases (US) indicates that nutrients such as calcium, protein, and vitamin D3, combined with physical activity, play a crucial role in bone formation. Therefore, children should receive calcium from various food sources, including milk and dairy products, soybeans, fish, shrimp, and green vegetables. They should also engage in adequate outdoor activities to synthesize vitamin D3, which supports calcium absorption.

Foods rich in calcium for daily diets. Photo: Vecteezy

For adults, once the skeletal system is fully developed, calcium supplementation shifts from increasing height to preserving bone strength and slowing down age-related bone loss. A balanced diet with calcium-rich sources such as milk, seafood, and green vegetables, combined with regular exercise, forms the foundation for maintaining bone health. For those managing their weight or with busy schedules, low-fat dairy products offer a convenient option for daily calcium intake.

After age 30, bone density may naturally begin to decline. Many individuals, however, experience lactose intolerance, which prevents them from consuming milk for calcium supplementation. This occurs because, from adolescence into adulthood, the small intestine often reduces its production of the lactase enzyme as a natural physiological mechanism if milk consumption is not consistently maintained. This deficiency in the "key" to break down lactose means the sugar is not fully digested and passes into the large intestine, where gut microbiota ferment it, producing gas and causing discomfort. This condition is particularly common among Vietnamese people, affecting up to 86,8% of those aged 20 to 70, according to data from the Institute of Research and Training in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Hanoi Medical University. Consequently, this age group can supplement calcium through other calcium-rich foods like dark green vegetables, fish, or lactose-free milk.

Vinamilk Flex milk increases calcium by 70%, supplements vitamin D3, and is lactose-free. Photo: Vinamilk

Beyond food sources, Vinamilk Flex milk also serves as a solution for the entire family. The product features a 70% increase in calcium content (compared to Vinamilk unsweetened nutritional milk). Specifically, the calcium content in one liter of Vinamilk Flex is equivalent to that found in 2,15 kg of marine shrimp (based on the edible portion of marine shrimp from the Vietnamese Food Composition Table, Medical Publishing House, 2017). The product also includes vitamin D3 to support calcium absorption and help maintain strong bones for individuals aged three years and older.

Vinamilk Flex utilizes a lactose-free formula, making it suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance. Additionally, its sugar-free and 50% reduced fat formula (compared to Vinamilk unsweetened nutritional milk) allows users to easily supplement calcium while managing their dietary needs.

Vinamilk Flex received the Superior Taste Award and Clean Label Project certification from an independent US testing organization. Photo: Vinamilk

In addition to its nutritional composition, Vinamilk Flex underwent over 400 inspection criteria related to production conditions (including product testing, ingredient declaration, raw material hazard assessment) and product quality (including no heavy metal residues, no microplastic residues) to achieve the prestigious safety and purity certification from Clean Label Project, an independent testing organization from the US.

Furthermore, Vinamilk Flex also earned the Superior Taste Award 2025 from the International Taste Institute. This flavor award is often likened to the "Michelin star" of the food industry, with an evaluation panel comprising over 200 professional and independent taste experts from prestigious culinary associations.

With its formula of added calcium, vitamin D3, and no lactose, Vinamilk Flex offers a choice to diversify calcium sources in the diets of many individuals, from children over three years old to adults and seniors, alongside maintaining a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Yen Chi