Written by Chrystal Moulton, Staff Writer. Average intake of ~1050mg of calcium is significantly linked to an increase in fat oxidation.
Obesity is a common problem affecting more than a third of adults and 17% of the youths in the United States. (1) The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that in 2008 the medical cost of obesity was $147 billion. (2) Much research has been conducted to find practical solutions and, there is growing interest in understanding of how certain nutrients from food promote weight loss and prevent weight gain.
In the current study (3), researchers wanted to determine if total calcium intake as well as calcium from dairy was associated with fat oxidation.
A total of 35 healthy non-obese subjects were recruited to this trial (21 males, 14 females). Subjects were between the ages of 20 to 45 years old (average= 31 ± 6 years old) with an average BMI 23.7 ±2.9 kg /m2 and 21.4 ±5.4% body fat. Subjects were asked to spend 24hours within a calorimeter. Upon entering the calorimeter, subjects were allowed to move about freely. However, between 2:20pm and 4:30pm subjects alternated between 10 minute periods of walking and stepping. Researchers did this in order to mimic the level of this common activity routinely performed in daily life (outside the calorimeter). Subjects were not allowed to take naps. During their stay in the calorimeter, participants were given a diet composed of 30% fat, 15% protein, and 55% carbohydrates. Foods containing calcium were given to the volunteers. Total calcium was calculated from whole food sources, including dairy products. Calcium from dairy was calculated specifically from milk, cheese, ice cream and yogurt provided to volunteers. The effect of total calcium and calcium from dairy on fat oxidation was calculated for each participant during their 24hour stay in the calorimeter.
During their stay in the calorimeter, average total calcium intake was 1046±55 mg of which ≈59.5% was obtained from dairy (640 ±44 mg). Researchers found that both of the above values were positively correlated to fat oxidation. In other words, calcium intake was significantly linked to an increase in fat oxidation (Total calcium: r=0.38, p=0.03; dairy calcium: r=0.35, p=0.04). They also found that total calcium as well as calcium from dairy was positively correlated to an increase in fat oxidation while sleeping (total calcium: r=0.36, p=0.04; dairy calcium: r=0.45, p<0.01).
Researchers believe that the correlations may not be directly attributed to calcium but to processes linked to calcium such as vitamin D. However, more studies will be needed to determine how calcium influences fat oxidation on a cellular level.
Source: Melanson, E. L., T. A. Sharp, J. Schneider, W. T. Donahoo, G. K. Grunwald, and J. O. Hill. “Relation between calcium intake and fat oxidation in adult humans.” International journal of obesity 27, no. 2 (2003): 196-203.
© 2003 Nature Publishing Group
Posted on May 16 2014.
Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.
References:
- Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Childhood and Adult Obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. JAMA. 2014;311(8):806-814. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.732.
- Overweight and Obesity . Center for Disease Control (CDC). Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html. Accessed May 14, 2014.
- Melanson EL, et al.Relation between calcium intake and fat oxidation in adult humans. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2003 Feb;27(2):196-203.
