June 29, 2011 – Calcium supplements believed to have beneficial, but modest effect on weight loss, study reports1 British.
Researchers came to this conclusion by analyzing data from seven clinical studies that looked at the possible link between calcium supplements and weight reduction in people who are obese or who are overweight. The majority of the 794 participants were to take 1000 mg of calcium or a placebo daily for 6 months.
They found that consuming a calcium supplement daily was associated with an average decrease in body weight of 0.74 kg compared to taking a placebo, which corresponds to 1.5 kg (3.3 lb ) per year.
Calcium supplementation was also associated with a decrease in body fat of 0.93 kg, or nearly 2 kg (4.5 lbs) per year.
A second meta-analysis, this time covering five of the seven studies, found no difference between the two groups of participants (supplements and placebo) in terms of body mass index (BMI).
The authors of the study are cautious. While they obtained slight, but statistically significant differences, they cannot yet say whether their results are clinically relevant. The weight loss recorded, less than 5% of the initial weight, is all in all low given that the participants displayed an average weight varying between 71 kg and 95 kg.
Dairy products and weight loss
The role of dairy products in weight loss has been a subject of debate for several years now. Calcium, rightly valued for bone health, may just be the key ingredient in helping you lose weight. Some researchers even attribute 40% of the beneficial effects to it.
But other components of milk, cheese or other dairy products – such as lactose and magnesium – could also play a role in the observed beneficial effect, remind the authors.
The mechanism of action of calcium is not yet well understood. It seems that calcium would reduce the level of vitamin D-1.25, which would stimulate the breakdown of lipids. Calcium would also have the capacity to increase the oxidation of fats, which would reduce the calories absorbed in excess.
Other published studies on calcium and weight loss have come to negative results. For example, a trial published in 2009 concluded that taking 1,500 mg of calcium per day for 2 years was no more effective than a placebo in promoting weight loss in 340 subjects suffering from dementia. overweight or obese.
Louis M. Gagné – PasseportSanté.net
1. Onakpoya, IJ, Perry, R et al. Efficacy of calcium supplementation for management of overweight and obesity: systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Nutr. Rev., 69 (6): 335-343.
2. Yanovski JA, Parikh et al. Effects of calcium supplementation on body weight and adiposity in overweight and obese adults: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2009 Jun 16; 150 (12): 821-9.
