Does dairy calcium intake enhance weight loss among overweight diabetic patients? Diabetes Care. 2007:Mar;30(3):485-489.
Researchers studied the effect of dairy calcium consumption on weight loss and improvement in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes indicators among overweight diabetic patients. The randomized clinical trial assessed the effect of three isocaloric diets in type 2 diabetic patients: 1) mixed glycemic index carbohydrate diet; 2) low-glycemic index diet; and 3) modified Mediterranean diet. Low-fat dairy product consumption varied within and across the groups by personal choice. Dietary intake, weight, CVD risk factors, and diabetes indexes were measured at baseline and at 6 months. A total of 259 diabetic patients were recruited with an average body mass index greater than 31 and mean age of 55 years. No difference was found at baseline between the intervention groups in CVD risk factors, diabetes indicators, macronutrient intake, and nutrient intake from dairy products. Dairy calcium intake was associated with percentage of weight loss. Among the high tertile of dairy calcium intake, the odds ratio for weight loss of greater than 8% was 2.4 (P = 0.04) compared with the first tertile after controlling for nondairy calcium intake, diet type, and the change in energy intake from baseline. No association was noted between dairy calcium and other health indexes except for triglyceride levels. The authors concluded that a diet rich in dairy calcium intake enhances weight loss in type 2 diabetic patients. This diet could be attempted in diabetic patients, especially those with difficulty adhering to other weight reduction diets.