Calcium – Weight loss secret
We all know calcium is great for strong bones and teeth, but it’s also a great aid in weight loss. Robert Heaney, MD bone expert has investigated “The Calcium Effect” in 5 studies involving over 1000 people. Heanly found those with a high calcium diet didn’t gain any weight on average but those on low calcium diets gained on average a pound of fat per year.
Michael Zemel, PhD (The Nutrition Institute at the University of Tennessee) studied mice. He feed the mice until all were obese. Then separated them into to 2 groups one group got a calcium supplement the other group did not. The average fat loss was 8% in the non-calcium supplement group compared to 42% in the calcium group.
Professor Tembley and co. tested calcium supplements versus a placebo tablet on weight loss in obese women with a diet of less 600mg calcium per day. To put that in perspective half of those who applied to be in the study we not consuming the RDA of calcium. He found that over a 15 week period those in the calcium supplement group lost 6kg compared to 1kg in the placebo group. This highlight the impact calcium could have on those with low calcium diets.
Another study on 103 obese people showed that over an 18 month period calcium after weight loss prevented weight regain. For every 100mg of calcium 1.5kg of weight was kept off.
Sources of calcium
Dark leafy greens (Spinach blended with mint leaves and water tastes great)
Broccoli
Yogurt
Cheese
Milk
Calcium is often over looked as a diet supplement in favour of magic expensive super food from somewhere far away exotic. But the evidence for calcium is a lot strong than the vast majority of magic supplements. Why not try it and let us know how you get on.
RDA is about 1000mg – 1200mg depending on your age.
References
Université Laval. “Diet Rich In Calcium Aids Weight Loss In People With Calcium Deficient Diets.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 March 2009. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090312115053.htm>.
