Calcium Intake and Body Weight

Research presented at the 42nd American College of Nutrition annual meeting suggests low calcium intakes are related to increased body weight.

Three separate studies came to similar conclusions. Researchers at Creighton University found in six studies of calcium intake in young women, calcium intake was inversely related to body weight/ fat.

Dr Michael Zemel at the University of Tennessee studied the influence of calcium intake on body weight in obesity-prone mice - high calcium diets were seen to accelerate fat loss during "dieting".

Researchers at the University of Utah studied children between the ages of 4 and eight and found children given calcium supplements and protein gained less body fat.

The report shows that weight loss regimes need to maintain levels of essential nutrients such as calcium if they are to be successful.

Thursday, 1 November 2001