What’s calcium got to do with it?
Great question! I am so glad you asked. I recently read a research study that showed that increasing calcium in the diet through supplements and calcium-rich foods leads to greater weight loss, particularly in that stubborn abdominal region! If you want to read the study for yourself, check it out here, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15090625/
I know what you are thinking…really…just eat some calcium and poof! All my years of weight struggle are gone!
Well, yes and no. First things first, you need to know where you stand with your calcium intake now. The best and only way to assess your calcium status is to review your food intake. Calcium blood levels on basic lab tests don’t provide much useful information. The body is very good at keeping those levels steady, and when they are high or low, it is likely due to a secondary cause related to the parathyroid.
I recommend you check out this website, https://www.osteoporosis.foundation/educational-hub/topic/calcium-calculator
It will help you better understand how much calcium you are currently ingesting. Bookmark this site so you can also reference it when you want to expand the list of calcium-rich foods beyond cheese and milk.
So what did the study show about calcium and weight loss?
The study shows significant weight loss, particularly from the abdomen, when calcium intake was increased. Still, even more weight loss was seen when that increase was from food sources instead of supplements. Remember that during this study each participant was eating a deficit of 500 calories a day. So, supplementing while ignoring overall diet and exercise will not help. Suppose you are going to supplement with calcium. In that case, I recommend taking 800 mg of calcium carbonate combined with 400 mg of magnesium and vitamin D3 with food for better absorption. The quality of supplements does matter, and if you are not sure where to start, please check out my Fullscripts account https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hummingbirdhealthcare
In my experience with weight loss, we are all looking for the newest, hottest thing that will help us finally lose weight, but in reality, doubling down on the basics may be what you need to get the job done!
