Calcium and Weight Loss

BETHESDA, Md.—Dietary supplementation with 1,500 mg of elemental calcium for two years had no statistically or clinically significant effects on weight in overweight and obese adults (Ann Intern Med. 2009;150(12):821-829). The randomized, placebo-controlled trial administered 1,500 mg/d of calcium carbonate or placebo with meals for two years in 340 overweight and obese adults with a mean age of 38.8 years.

Seventy-five percent of participants completed the trial. There were no statistically or clinically significant differences between the calcium and placebo groups in change in body weight, BMI or body fat mass. Parathyroid hormone concentrations decreased in the calcium group compared with the placebo group. Researchers concluded calcium supplementation is unlikely to have clinically significant efficacy as a preventive measure against weight gain in such patients.