Research now reveals that a high calcium intake may become the bodybuilder’s secret weapon that helps achieve a lean, mean physique. Scientific evidence now shows that a high calcium intake not only offers real protection against body fat accumulation, it enables a person to utilize (burn) more fat for energy.
Researchers from the University of Colorado have found that people who consume high amounts of calcium in their diet possess a greater ability to mobilize fat from fat cells and use this fuel for energy. Interestingly, at the other end of the scale, a low calcium diet appears to promote fat storage.
A high calcium intake appears to stimulate “uncoupling proteins” in the mitochondria of muscle cells. Stimulating these proteins diverts calories toward heat production rather than store them as fat. In mice, low calcium diets are shown to promote lipid (fat) storage, whereas a high calcium intake was shown to inhibit fat accumulation and accelerate fat utilization.
In terms of applicable research, analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) has revealed a clear relationship between people who consume a high intake of calcium and people with low levels of body fat. Basically, this extensive dietary survey revealed that the higher the calcium intake of the individual, the leaner they were. This cross-sectional survey was conducted over a 6-year period (between 1988 and 1994) and it followed a complex, four-stage probability sampling scheme designed to represent the entire U.S. civilian non-institutionalized population.
The amount of calcium in the diet was measured in servings per day, making it difficult to determine an actual dose. Therefore, maintaining a high intake of calcium-rich foods may be one of the best things you can do to enhance fat loss and stay lean. Low-fat dairy proteins such as VP2 Whey Isolate contain a hefty dose of calcium to enhance your fat loss efforts.
