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

Date Written: 19th December 2005

This article represents the opinion of the author and in no way
should be taken as medical advice. See your doctor today and
discuss real dietary solutions specifically for your weight loss
situation.

This website and Savvy Fat Burning Food makes no warranties,
expressed or implied, regarding errors or omissions and assumes
no legal liability or responsibility for loss, damage, illness
or medical event resulting from the use of information contained
within this article.

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