Calcium for Weight Loss

Psst, got milk? Calcium may be the newest weight-losssecret.

A new study provides more evidence thatcalcium can fight body fat and help keep your weightunder control.Researchers found that adolescent girls who consumed morecalcium weighed less and had less body fat than girlswho consumed the same amount of calories from othersources. Previous studies have shown that a highercalcium intake can block body fat production in adults andpreschool children, but this is one of the first studiesto show that it might have the same effect inbody-conscious preteen and teenage girls.The study----------------------------------------------The study, presented this week at the Experimental Biology2003 meeting in San Diego, involved an ethnically mixedgroup of 321 girls aged nine to 14.

Each of the girls recorded everything she ate and drank,along with any calcium or vitamin supplements, for threedays. Researchers also measured the girls' physicalactivity, weight, and amount of body fat just above thehipbone -- a measure of abdominal fat.Not surprisingly, they found that the girls who consumedmore total calories and exercised less weighed more andhad more body fat. But when researchers compared girlswith similar calorie intake, physical activity level,and size, they found that the girls who consumed morecalcium on average weighed less.

Researchers say most of the calcium in the girls' diet camefrom dairy sources, and it didn't take much to make adifference in their body fat and weight. The study foundan increase of one serving of dairy, such as a cup ofmilk or thumb-sized piece of cheese containing about 300 mgof calcium, was associated with about half an inch lessabdominal fat and nearly 2 pounds in lower weight.But researcher Rachel Novotny, PhD, RD, says the findingsshouldn't be interpreted as an excuse to add more cheeseand other calcium-rich dairy products to your diet inthe hopes of stimulating weight loss."It doesn't mean that just eating more dairy can help youlose weight," says Novotny, professor and chair of thedepartment of human nutrition, food and animal sciencesat the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Calories are still the bottom line------------------------------------------------------His findings, published in this week's Journal of the"Calories are still the bottom line," Novotny tells WebMD."Does the composition of calories matter? Yes, havingmore of them come from calcium-rich foods is associatedwith lower weight and lower body fat."In light of the current obesity epidemic, Novotny says thesefindings might provide a new way to help set up children fora healthy body weight later in life. Although reducingoverall calorie intake and increasing physical activityare the most effective means to promote weight lossand reduce body fat in people of any age, she says arelatively small change in calcium intake might alsolower body fat.

"What perhaps is important about this is that they are in aperiod of rapid growth, and because of that growth there isan opportunity to modify their body composition," saysNovotny. "It sets the stage for future body composition."High body fat and obesity is associated with many healthrisks such as high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer,and diabetes.Calcium's fat-fighting power is not fully understood---------------------------------------------------------The exact mechanism behind calcium's fat-fighting power isnot fully understood, but previous research in animalssuggests that high levels of calcium in the bloodstreamslow down fat production and help shift the body's focusfrom accumulating fat to breaking it down.

Registered dietitian Althea Zanecosky says the old adage,"like mother, like daughter" usually doesn't apply toweight control methods, but this study shows that it can."As a dietitian, I'm really thrilled because here's a foodwe're trying to get them to eat for other reasons, and nowhere's this added bonus," says Zanecosky, who is alsospokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association."Preventing bone disease coming years down road might not bean incentive for girls," Zanecosky tells WebMD. "But forthose concerned about their weight, this is one more reasonfor them to drink their milk because it may also have thisbeneficial effect on their weight.

"Sneak extra doses of calcium-rich foods into your children'sdiet---------------------------------------------------------Zanecosky says it's not hard for parents to sneak extradoses of calcium-rich foods into their children's diet. Asa mother of two adolescent daughters herself, she findsthe following "tricks" especially effective in her ownchildren:Grab a decaffeinated cappuccino with your teenager as anafter-school snack.Send yogurt along with their lunch, as a snack, or have itfor breakfast (no-fat or low-fat versions of many yogurtsare also available for weight-conscious kids).Whip up fruit smoothies with skim milk or yogurt.

Sprinkle reduced-fat grated cheeses on salads.Incorporate low-fat shredded cheese blends into dinnerentrees, such as Mexican cheeses on fajitas and tacos,Italian cheeses on pasta, etc.If your child doesn't like plain milk, offer flavored milkssuch as chocolate or strawberry."This is one potentially trendy diet that's healthy.

You cancontrol fat and get strong bones at same time. I don't knowof any other diets can make that claim," says Zanecosky."You can't lose anything but pounds."Source: WebMDAbout The Author----------------Michael Lewis has been collecting articles and informationon Weight Loss and HGH (Human Growth Hormone) and relatedhealth benefits.

He has created and edits numerous websites about this subject. Michael is a staff writer forwww.ageforce.com and several other websites.

If you wouldlike to contact Michael you can e-mail him atMichael@AgeForce.com or if you would like to know moreabout Weight Loss, HGH (Human Growth Hormone) and relatedhealth topics please visit us at .ageforce.com.

Michael Lewis has been collecting articles and informationon Weight Loss and HGH (Human Growth Hormone) and relatedhealth benefits. He has created and edits numerous websites about this subject. Michael is a staff writer forwww.ageforce.

com and several other websites. If you wouldlike to contact Michael you can e-mail him atMichael@AgeForce.com or if you would like to know moreabout Weight Loss, HGH (Human Growth Hormone) and relatedhealth topics please visit us at .ageforce.

comContact him at .ageforce.com



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