Accelerate Weight Loss
A new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition has revealed a remarkably simple way to aid in weight loss. This study followed women that were placed on a reduced calorie diet. However, some of the women added 1200 mg a day of calcium to their diet in the form of a supplement. The other half of the group took a placebo. The results were startling; women that supplemented their calcium intake lost 6 kg over the 15 weeks of the program, as compared to a loss of only 1 kg for the placebo group. By simply adding calcium to their diet, these women lost 6 times more weight than the control group!
Before you rush out and buy calcium supplements, there are a few other factors you should be aware of. The women in the study all consumed less than the recommended daily amount in their diet before beginning the study. The average intake for the women was less than 600 mg a day, and the recommended daily amount is 1000 mg. The authors of the study believe that the accelerated weight loss will only occur if you have not been consuming enough calcium in your diet before beginning supplements. Also, the women were on a calorie reduced diet as well, which, in itself, will cause weight loss.
There are also other factors that influence calcium absorption. Without the presence of magnesium, calcium may remain in the soft tissues, rather than be absorbed into the blood and the bones. High levels of calcium in the blood increase a hormone called calcitonin (CT), which suppresses parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. PTH takes calcium from our bones, and brings it into the body, whereas CT deposits the calcium into bones. Magnesium suppresses PTH, helping the calcium get where it is needed. Further, diets that include alcohol and refined sugar cause our bodies to lose magnesium through our urine.
When looking for a calcium supplement, try and find one that includes magnesium. Eating foods rich in both calcium and magnesium also helps. Nuts, whole (not refined) grains and legumes are high in magnesium. Dairy is a great source of calcium, but other foods such as broccoli, tofu and sesame seeds are also high in calcium. Take a good look at your present diet, are you getting enough calcium? If not, the addition of more calcium along with magnesium might help you shed those pounds faster.
