
Calcium has been shown to boost the beneficial effects of weight loss on blood fats, researchers have found.
A Laval University study, conducted in Quebec, investigated the results of overweight women taking calcium and vitamin D supplements while dieting, reporting a greater drop in LDL – ‘bad' cholesterol, and an increase in HDL – ‘good' cholesterol.
"Calcium supplementation could be recommended in women with inadequate calcium intake to improve the cardiovascular disease risk profile," researcher Dr. Angelo Tremblay said. "Maybe half of our obese patients do not get enough calcium."
Dr. Tremblay said women pursuing weight loss efforts should ensure adequate intake of all vitamins and minerals, as well as calcium and vitamin D, because evidence shows general supplementation may lead to numerous positive effects.
In particular, calcium appears to interfere with fat absorption in the gut, he said, while also assisting with appetite control and helping the body to mobilise and burn fat.