Effect of Calcium/Vitamin D Supplementation on Body Weight and Fat Loss.

A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled, Parallel Group Study to Evaluate the Effect of Calcium/Vitamin D Supplementation (Caltrate 600+ D) on Body Weight and Fat Loss in Overweight and Obese Individuals on a Weight-Reducing Program.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of calcium/vitamin D supplementation (Caltrate 600 +D®) on body weight loss during a weight-reducing program

The effect of a calcium supplementation on body weight loss is inconclusive and some studies have suggested that adequate calcium intake can have a favourable effect on some metabolic variables. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of (Caltrate 600 + D ®) on body composition and various indicators of metabolic health in overweight and obese females characterised by a usual low daily calcium intake, on a weight-reducing program.

The main hypotheses of this study were:

• Caltrate 600 +D® increases body weight and fat mass losses of individuals on a weight-reducing program.
• Caltrate 600 +D® improves the metabolic profile of these subjects, independently of variations promoted by body fat loss.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Daily calcium intake below 800mg/day
• Stable body weight
• Body mass index (BMI) between 27-40kg/m2
• Less than 3 periods of 20 minutes of physical exercise/week
• General good health
• Normal blood pressure values
• Normal cholesterol levels
• Normal thyroid hormone levels
• No participation in another clinical trial within 6 months of screening
• Coffee consumption ≤ 5 cups/day.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Breast feeding, pregnant or menopaused women
• Use of calcium supplements within 30 days of screening
• Cholesterol levels requiring pharmaceutical treatment
• Smoking
• Use of medication that could affect body weight