Vitamin D plus calcium may facilitate loss of body fat

A combination of daily vitamin D3 plus calcium intakes and an energy-restricted diet may boost fat mass loss, says a new Chinese study.
In the randomized controlled trial, body fat mass was measured in 52 overweight and obese adults with very low calcium consumption (below 600 mg/day), following an energy-restricted diet (-500 kcal/d) and recei-ving daily calcium (600 mg) plus vitamin D (125 IU) or placebo for 12 weeks (1). The study results showed that participants who received supplements displayed a significantly greater decrease in fat loss, compared with the placebo group (-2.8 versus -1.8 kg, respectively). The supplement group also exhibited greater decrease in organ (visceral) fat mass. There were no differences between the groups for overall body weight loss.

The researchers commented that increased intakes of calcium and vitamin D may help obese on energy-restricted diet to lose more adipose tissue. Visceral fat is located between the organs and contributes to belly fat – compared with subcutaneous fat which is found beneath the epidermis. Visceral fat is composed of several adipose depots which may contribute insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, hypertension and coronary artery disease.

1. Zhu W. et al. Calcium plus vitamin D3 supplementation facilitated Fat loss in overweight and obese college students with very-low calcium consumption: a randomized controlled trial. Nutrition Journal. 2013; 12:8.