At a
Glance:
During weight loss, supplementation with calcium and vitamin D may
reduce central obesity (visceral fat) which is associated with many
degenerative and metabolic diseases. In another study researchers found that
supplementing with calcium and vitamin D during weight loss enhances heart
health benefits in women with typically low calcium intakes.
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About this Research Below:
Many previous studies have indicated that calcium and vitamin D
may play a role in the regulation of abdominal fat mass (visceral fat) and
enhance heart health benefits of weight loss.
In the first study, researchers analyzed the effect of
calcium/vitamin D fortified orange juice on weight loss and reduction in
visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in overweight and obese adults.
Two parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials were
conducted at the same time with either regular or reduced calorie (lite) orange
juice (OJ). There were 171 study subjects randomly assigned to one of two
groups. The trials were conducted over a
period of 16 weeks.
The treatment groups consumed three 8 ounce glasses of OJ (regular
or lite) fortified with 350 mg Ca and 100 IU vitamin D per serving, and the
control groups consumed either unfortified regular or lite OJ. Measurements of
VAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue were performed before and after the trials.
The average weight loss after 16 weeks was 2.45 kg did not differ
significantly between groups. In the regular OJ trial, the reduction of VAT was
significantly greater in the calcium/vitamin D group than in the control group.
In the lite OJ trial, the reduction of VAT was also significantly greater in
the calcium/vitamin D group than in the control group. When the results of the two trials were
combined, the difference between the supplemented groups and controls was even
more statistically significant.
The findings of the current study suggest that calcium/vitamin D
supplementation may contribute to a specific and beneficial reduction of VAT in
overweight adults.
In another study, Canadian researchers investigated cardiovascular
benefits of long-term calcium supplementation in women with low calcium intake.
Healthy, overweight or obese women with a daily calcium intake of less than 800
mg/day were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a group consuming two
tablets/day of a calcium + vitamin D supplement (600 mg elemental calcium and
200 IU vitamin D/tablet), or a group consuming placebo. Both groups completed a 15-week reduced
calorie weight-loss program.
Significant decreases in LDL cholesterol levels, as well as the
ratios of total to LDL and LDL to HDL were seen the calcium + vitamin D
group. These changes were independent of
changes due to fat loss and reduced waist circumference. A tendency for more beneficial changes in HDL
cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol was also observed in the
calcium+D group.
This was the first study to show that consumption of calcium and
vitamin D during weight loss enhances the beneficial effects weight loss on
cardiovascular risk factors in overweight women with typically low calcium
intake.
Jennifer
L Rosenblum et al. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation is associated with
decreased abdominal visceral adipose tissue in overweight and obese adults. Am
J Clin Nutr January 2012 vol. 95 no. 1 101-108.
Major GC,
et al. Supplementation with calcium +
vitamin D enhances the beneficial effect of weight loss on plasma lipid and
lipoprotein concentrations. 2007.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 85(1): 54-9.
Source:
USANA Health Sciences
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