Thirty-two obese adults were randomly assigned to one of the following diets for 24 weeks: 1) a standard diet containing 400-500 mg per day of calcium, plus a placebo supplement, 2) a standard diet supplemented with 800 mg per day of calcium, or 3) a diet containing three servings per day of dairy products, providing 1,200-1,300 mg per day of calcium, plus a placebo supplement. Each diet had an energy deficit of 500 kcal per day. The mean weight loss was 6.6 kg with the standard diet, 8.6 kg with the calcium-supplemented diet, and 11.1 kg with the high-dairy diet (p < 0.01 for calcium-supplemented vs. standard diet, and p < 0.01 for high-dairy vs. calcium-supplemented diet). Fat loss from the trunk region represented 19.0% of total fat loss on the standard diet, 50.1% of total fat loss on the calcium-supplemented diet, and 66.2% of total fat loss on high-dairy diet (p < 0.01 for calcium-supplemented vs. standard diet, and p < 0.01 for high-dairy vs. calcium-supplemented diet).

Comment: These results indicate that increasing dietary calcium intake enhanced weight loss and fat loss in obese individuals consuming a low-calorie diet. Furthermore, higher calcium intake increased the percentage of fat lost from the trunk region. Consuming calcium in the form of dairy products was significantly more effective than taking calcium supplements. The latter finding should be viewed with caution, however (i.e., the possibility of publication bias should be considered), as the study was funded by the National Dairy Council. As noted in the article, "The costs of publication of this article were defrayed, in part, by the payment of page charges. This article must, therefore, be hereby marked 'advertisement' in accordance with 18 U.S.C. section 1734 solely to indicate this fact."

Zemel MB, et al. Calcium and dairy acceleration of weight and fat loss during energy restriction in obese adults. Obes Res 2004;12:582-590.