Calcium does not aid weight loss

Previous research has suggested that calcium may aid weight loss by boosting fat metabolism, however new research has found no evidence to back up such claims.

Kevin J Acheson and colleagues conducted a study of 10 overweight or obese people, whose day-to-day diet was low in calcium, in order to determine whether calcium supplementation has any effect on fat metabolism. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 400 mg of dairy calcium or a placebo each day for five-weeks.

After four-weeks, the researchers performed a series of tests on the participants. Results revealed that there were no differences between participants receiving calcium and those receiving the placebo, in any of the factors measured, including: resting energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and plasma-free fatty acid concentrations. The researchers conclude: “Dairy calcium supplementation in overweight subjects with habitually low calcium intakes failed to alter fat metabolism and energy expenditure.”

Bortolotti M, Rudelle S, Schneiter P, Vidal H, Loizon E, Tappy L, Acheson KJ. Dairy calcium supplementation in overweight or obese persons: its effect on markers of fat metabolism. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2008;88:877-855.