Vitamin D, Calcium Aid in Weight Loss

STE-FOY, QuebecResearchers from Laval University observed the effects of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on weight loss in 63 women randomly assigned 600 mg elemental calcium and 200 IU vitamin D tablets or placebo daily. All subjects participated in a 15-week weight loss intervention program. At the conclusion of the intervention, significantly greater decreases in total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and the LDL-to-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio were observed in the calcium/ vitamin D group compared to the placebo group. These metabolic variables were independent of changes in fat mass and in waist circumference. Researchers concluded vitamin D and calcium benefit the lipid and lipoprotein profile in dieting overweight or obese women with usual low daily calcium intake. The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (85, 1, 54-59 2007).