Effect of low- and high-calcium dairy-based diets on macronutrient oxidation in humans

Obes Res. 2005 Dec;13(12):2102-12. doi: 10.1038/oby.2005.261.

Abstract

Objective: Higher calcium and dairy intakes may be associated with lower body weights, but a mechanism in humans has yet to be elucidated. We compared the effects of a dairy-based high-calcium diet and a low-calcium diet on macronutrient oxidation.

Research methods and procedures: Subjects (10 men and nine women) consumed a low-dairy (LD, approximately one serving per day, approximately 500 mg Ca(2+)/d) or high-dairy (HD, approximately three to four servings per day, approximately 1400 mg Ca(2+)/d) energy balance diet for 1 week. Each diet condition was performed twice. On the 7th day, subjects were studied in a room calorimeter under one of four study conditions, applied in a randomized crossover design. Within each diet condition, subjects were studied under conditions of energy balance and acute energy deficit. The deficit (-600 kcal/d) was induced only for the 24 hours that subjects resided in the room and was achieved by a combination of caloric restriction and exercise.

Results: Under energy balance conditions, there was no effect of diet treatment on respiratory quotient or 24-hour macronutrient oxidation. Under energy deficit conditions, 24-hour fat oxidation was significantly increased on the HD diet (HD with deficit = 136 +/- 13 g/d, LD with deficit = 106 +/- 7 g/d, p = 0.02).

Discussion: Consumption of a dairy-based high-calcium diet increased 24-hour fat oxidation under conditions of acute energy deficit. We hypothesize that these effects are due to an increased fat oxidation during exercise.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Composition / drug effects
  • Body Composition / physiology
  • Calcium, Dietary / administration & dosage*
  • Calcium, Dietary / pharmacology
  • Calorimetry, Indirect
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dairy Products
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / metabolism*
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Fats / metabolism*
  • Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Proteins / metabolism*
  • Energy Intake / physiology
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxygen Consumption / physiology*
  • Weight Loss / drug effects
  • Weight Loss / physiology*

Substances

  • Calcium, Dietary
  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Proteins