Paper
International Journal of Obesity (2005) 29, 292–301. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802785
Effect of short-term high dietary calcium intake on 24-h energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and fecal fat excretion
R Jacobsen1, J K Lorenzen1, S Toubro1, I Krog-Mikkelsen1 and A Astrup1
1Department of Human Nutrition, Centre for Advanced Food Studies, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
Correspondence: Professor A Astrup, Department of Human Nutrition, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. E-mail: ast@kvl.dk
Received 4 April 2004; Revised 4 August 2004; Accepted 6 October 2004; Published online 18 January 2005.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Observational studies have shown an inverse association between dietary calcium intake and body weight, and a causal relation is likely. However, the underlying mechanisms are not understood.
OBJECTIVE:
We examined whether high and low calcium intakes from mainly low-fat dairy products, in diets high or normal in protein content, have effects on 24-h energy expenditure (EE) and substrate oxidation, fecal energy and fat excretion, and concentrations of substrates and hormones involved in energy metabolism and appetite.
DESIGN:
In all, 10 subjects participated in a randomized crossover study of three isocaloric 1-week diets with: low calcium and normal protein (LC/NP: 500 mg calcium, 15% of energy (E%) from protein), high calcium and normal protein (HC/NP: 1800 mg calcium, 15E% protein), and high calcium and high protein (HC/HP: 1800 mg calcium, 23E% protein).
RESULTS:
The calcium intake had no effect on 24-h EE or fat oxidation, but fecal fat excretion increased 
2.5-fold during the HC/NP diet compared with the LC/NP and the HC/HP diets (14.2 vs 6.0 and 5.9 g/day; P<0.05). The HC/NP diet also increased fecal energy excretion as compared with the LC/NP and the HC/HP diets (1045 vs 684 and 668 kJ/day; P<0.05). There were no effects on blood cholesterol, free fatty acids, triacylglycerol, insulin, leptin, or thyroid hormones.
CONCLUSIONS:
A short-term increase in dietary calcium intake, together with a normal protein intake, increased fecal fat and energy excretion by 350 kJ/day. This observation may contribute to explain why a high-calcium diet produces weight loss, and it suggests that an interaction with dietary protein level may be important.
Keywords:
dietary calcium, energy expenditure, fecal fat excretion, fat oxidation, body weight
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