Body Composition is Unchanged by Calcium Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

0698 PURPOSE: Given recent evidence linking calcium intake with body composition, the purpose of this investigation was to determine whether six months of calcium supplementation attenuated body fat accretion in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Prior to (PRE) and at the end (END) of supplementation, body composition was assessed via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Assessments of body composition included: percentage of body fat (%BF), fat mass (FM), and non-bone lean mass (LM). A three day diet record was used to estimate habitual nutrient intake before and at the end of the intervention. Physical activity was estimated using a validated questionnaire. Subjects (n = 37, age = 61 ± 9 yr, BMI = 26.1 ± 3.7 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to a supplementation group (CCM) or a free-living control group (CON). The CCM subjects ingested 1,125 mg/day of calcium (calcium-citrate-malate) dissolved in a milk-based fruit-flavored beverage over six months. RESULTS: There were no differences between or within groups over the six months for change in weight (CCM = 0.35 ± 2.6 kg; CON = 0.38 ± 1.9 kg), %BF (CCM = 1.2 ± 4.3%; CON = 2.3 ± 3.9%), FM (CCM = 2.2 ± 7.8 kg; CON = 3.0 ± 6.3kg), or LM (CCM = 0.0 ± 1.0 kg; CON = −0.3 ± 0.8 kg). Daily calcium intake increased in the CCM group (PRE = 973.2 ± 480 mg; END = 2097.7 ± 488.2 mg) with no change in the CON group (PRE = 1243.9 ± 734 mg; END = 1252.9 ± 685.3 mg), with the CCM group ingesting more calcium than CON at END (p = 0.000). Calcium intakes were not related to measures of body composition for either group. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that calcium supplementation with 1,125 mg of CCM/d does not decrease body weight or fat in postmenopausal women compared to free-living controls who consume calcium within levels of the Daily Recommended Intakes. Supported by funds from the Kansas Attorney General's office, and supplements were provided by Nutrijoy, Inc.