Calcium and vitamin D supplementation is associated with decreased intra‐abdominal fat mass

Calcium and vitamin D may play an important role in the regulation of abdominal fat mass. The effect of calcium (Ca) and vitamin D (D) supplemented regular (Reg) and reduced‐calorie (Lite) orange juice (OJ), in combination with a hypocaloric diet, was studied on weight loss and visceral fat mass in overweight and obese adults. Two, parallel, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials were conducted, one with Reg OJ and one with Lite OJ. In each 16‐wk trial, participants were randomized into 1 of 2 groups. Each day the first group consumed three 240 mL glasses of OJ (Lite or Reg) fortified with 350 mg Ca and 100 IU D per serving (Reg‐CaD and Lite‐CaD, respectively), and the second group consumed unfortified OJ (Reg‐C or Lite‐C, respectively). Visceral and total abdominal fat measurements were performed by computed tomography by a single cut at L4. After 16 wk, weight change was not different in the Lite and Reg trials. While a trend in absolute reduction of intra‐abdominal fat mass was found in the Lite‐CaD group, an actual significant reduction of intra‐abdominal fat mass occurred in the Reg‐CaD group. This effect remained highly significant when results of both trials were combined (p=0.007). Analysis of the combined data demonstrated a significant percentage decrease in intra‐abdominal fat mass in the CaD groups. Thus, Ca and D supplementation reduced intra‐abdominal fat mass suggesting Ca and/or vitamin D may contribute to a preferential reduction of visceral fat. Sources of Support: NIDDK ( DK046200 ), The Coca‐Cola Company, MGH Weight Center