High-Calcium Foods--Not Supplements--Linked to Lower Body Fat

FREDERIKSBERG, Denmark--Eating high-calcium foods--not taking calcium supplements--is associated with lower body weight and body fat, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (83, 1:18-23, 2006).

Researchers from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University randomly administered 500 mg/d calcium carbonate or placebo to 110 girls for one year. Test subjects were divided into two groups according to calcium intake from foods: one group consumed 1,000-1,304 mg/d (40th–60th percentile; n = 60) and the other group consumed less than 713 mg/d (less than 20th percentile; n = 50). Height, body weight, body fat and calcium intake were measured at baseline and after one year. At baseline, a significant negative correlation was observed between calcium intake from foods and percentage of body fat. However, the researchers found one year of calcium supplementation had no effect on height, body weight or body fat percentage.

The researchers concluded dietary calcium intake was inversely associated with body fat, but a low-dose calcium supplement had no effect on body weight, height or body fat over one year in young girls; in addition, they noted the effect of calcium on body weight is only exerted if ingested as part of a meal, or may be due to other ingredients in dairy products, and calcium may simply be a marker for a high dairy intake.

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