Calcium: a weighty debate

If you’ve seen advertisements pushing dairy as the new weight loss superstar, you might assume that loading up on calcium-rich cheese, milk, and yogurt will make it easier for you to shed unwanted pounds. As it turns out, the three studies behind all the marketing hoopla—despite the buzz—are just too small to draw conclusive results. Although a recent study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (2006, vol. 106, no. 7) concludes that calcium, in the form of supplements, could be beneficial for weight control in women, the results are based on the unreliable memory of volunteers. The bottom line: The calcium and weight loss link is complex and not yet well understood. Wait for larger clinical trials to see if calcium and dairy products can truly help you get to an ideal body weight.