The Calcium And Weight Loss Link Uncensored

Question:

What has calcium and weight loss got to do with tiny glands found inside your thyroid ?

Give Up ?

Well, apparently some think it has a lot to do with it.

Quite recently you might have heard in the media about research that high calcium intakes promote fat burning. For a while now, those related to the dairy industry have been pushing the calcium and weight loss link.[2]

The latest claim has been based on a study designed to examine the mechanism by which calcium may increase the fat burning effect of a meal. The study's outcome suggests that these glands may play some role in the calcium and weight loss story.

But there is a downside that some have forgotten to mention. This study was very small and used participants that were not overweight. The study focussed more on the way in which calcium may affect fat oxidation, rather than whether there is a causal link between calcium and weight loss.

You can see the research abstract for yourself here.

The research conducted jointly by Purdue University and Indiana University and funded by the Dairy Council, found that diets high in calcium from dairy sources increases the fat burning effect of a meal.

They also found that an increase in a hormone called parathyroid hormone, known to regulate the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body, decreases fat burning after a meal.

Researchers prescribed the 10 subjects either a low or high dietary calcium intake over a 1 year period. The subjects were then assessed by measuring respiration and serum parathyroid hormone concentrations after they had consumed 2 isocaloric liquid meals containing 100 or 500 mg of calcium at the beginning of the study and after a year.

The results of the study indicate that the group who received the high calcium intake had higher fat oxidation levels after a meal than did those in the group who received the low calcium meal. They also found that increases of parathyroid hormone were associated with decreases of fat oxidation after a meal.

What does this new study tell us about calcium and weight loss?

The study is small, it had a total of 10 participants. For it to be able to conclude that there is a link between calcium and weight loss, a larger study would need to be done.

It does however, tell us that there may be a viable link between calcium and weight loss.

Making Sense of The Confusion

Let's put this whole issue into perspective. There are two clear groups who have weighed into this issue. On one side are the food police activists who caution consumers against jumping on the "drink milk and lose weight" bandwagon. On the other side are manufacturers and dairy producer associations who have previously seen milk drinking rates decline, and want to get the message across that you need to drink more milk. Both sides are trying to get your attention as a milk consumer.

There is a lot of evidence to suggest that high calcium intake is linked to weight loss.[4] However, some are suspicious that these studies have been funded by parties with a vested interest in the calcium and weight loss issue. [3]

It is not always true that because a scientist has received funding from industry that their work will automatically be biased, but it should be made clear where the money has come from. If it does not matter where the money came from, then independent researchers should be able to get the same outcome.

Having said this, why have other published studies found no evidence of a link between calcium and weight loss?

Supporters of the calcium and weight loss link say that this is because drinking more milk may only help to lose weight, if the individual was calcium deficient in the first place.[4,5]

The overwhelming truth is that, and even the 24/24 Milk website acknowledges this, is that the research is still emerging.[6] There is still more work to be done. However, in their favor, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that there is some kind of link between calcium and weight loss.

So should we drink milk, or not to lose weight?

Whatever the outcome of the dairy and weight loss research, dairy foods still provide your body with a myriad of nutrients important for good health.

If you are not getting 3 servings of dairy each day, then on a general basis, you need to increase your dairy intake, but watch your calories.

Include low fat dairy within a well balanced diet, calorie controlled diet.

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines For Americans recommends that you get 3 cups of low-fat or fat-free milk ? or the same amount of low-fat yogurt and/or low-fat cheese on a daily basis. [1]

This essentially is the general message being put across by the dairy industry at the moment.[6]

If you consume whole milk products, most likely you will actually put on weight, because of the extra calories.

What should we do before increasing our dairy intake?

Talk to your doctor. Everyone is different, with differing needs. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether an increased dairy intake is appropriate for you.

More Information: >Tufts University The Dairy - Weight Loss Debate

American Dietetic Association Milk Your Diet: A New Approach to Fuel Your Weight Loss Efforts

Milk, dairy fat, dietary calcium, and weight gain: a longitudinal study of adolescents.

Source:

[1] 2005 Dietary Guidelines For Americans

[2] 3 A Day 3 A Day Calcium and Weight Loss Position, 24/24Milk

[3] Science In The Public Interest Milking The Data

[4] Ilich JZ. A lighter side of calcium: role of calcium and dairy foods in body weight. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol. 2005 Mar;56(1):33-8. Abstract

[5] MedicineNet Lawsuits Challenge Dairy Weight Loss Claims

[6] 24/24Milk Experts Weigh In: Q & A

Article Written: 19th December 2005

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