Do you think that the University of Tennessee holds the patent to this claim because they funded the calcium/weight loss studies? If you think this is so, you would be wrong again, as members of the dairy industry, as well as the National Dairy Council have provided funding for these studies.
So Dr. Klauer – who oddly doesn’t make any mention of Dr. Zemel or details about his research in her book – is selling us on this calcium diet based on three studies dealing with 46 people with funding that came from members of the dairy industry.
In contrast to this, there have been two published studies – one from the University of Vermont and one from the University of Adelaide in Australia – dealing with a total of 95 subjects that found the subjects did not lose more weight by eating dairy/calcium.
But it doesn’t end here. Dr. Zemel himself has some very interesting comments when it comes to explaining the calcium/weight loss link. Zemel has stated publicly that his research is limited and applies only to people who have below-normal levels of calcium in their diets. In an October 24, 2005 article written by syndicated columnist Charles Platkin, Zemel says that there is a “plateau effect with calcium and weight loss after your necessary dose” of calcium is reached.
So in other words, even if calcium does in some way help you lose weight, once you get the proper amount of calcium in your diet, the weight loss that calcium may contribute to will stop.
Dr. Klauer does not make any mention of this “plateau effect” in this chapter.
Here’s one more Zemel thought on the issue. In an item by Shari Rudavsky posted on the Indianapolis Star’s web site on July 24, 2005 when asked if it matters what the source of calcium is with regards to weight loss Zemel said, “dairy products appear to have the greatest effect, and believes components other than calcium likely contribute” (My emphasis).
I think that’s quite enough to cast substantial doubt on the calcium diet, don’t you?
Here’s one more troubling item. In this chapter Dr. Klauer asserts that her high-calcium diet somehow eliminates “middle-aged belly fat” first. Since there is hardly any reliable info that calcium may be responsible for weight loss I don’t see any way that this claim can be made.
Article comments
1 - Dick Hanneman
Your description of the role of salt reduction on the effectiveness of the DASH Diet is just plain wrong. Correcting mineral deficiencies in DASH -- while holding sodium (salt) constant -- made the difference; reducing salt added nothing in six of the eight subgroups: if you are an older, overweight African-American, salt restriction added some BP benefit (but not necessarily a reduced rate of heart attacks). Consider two facts: With sodium constant at near-normal levels, those with high blood pressure who followed the DASH Diet cut their systolic blood pressure (the important "top number") by 11.4 mmHg. By also cutting salt by 60% (never achieved in a free-living population), the hypertensive subgroup reduced SBP by 11.5 mmHg. So, 11.4 mmHg was the "DASH effect" and 0.1 mmHg was the "salt effect." 'Nuff said.
For more see the Salt Institute's Salt and Health website: http://www.saltinstitute.org/28.html.
Dick Hanneman
President
Salt Institute
2 - sal m
Mr Hanneman:
Perhaps you need to reread what I wrote and the DASH introduction.
Here is what the DASH intro says,
"Recently, two studies showed that blood pressure can be lowered by following a particular eating plan...and reducing the amount of sodium consumed...the combination of the eating plan and a reduced sodium intake gives the biggest benefit and may help prevent the development of high blood pressure."
If you object to the findings of DASH don't waste your time here. Whether or not your industry agrees with the findings matters not one bit to me, but if you disagree go bother the people who did the DASH study.
I used DASH because the author of this book intimates that somehow this study found that calcium had a direct role in lowering blood pressure, not because I am promoting DASH in particular or a low sodium diet.
3 - Angela Groninger
Maybe some of the information contained in Dr. Klauer book can be found online for free, but as a person who has gained and lost probably hundreds of pounds, I find her program and tips quite encouraging. Yes, some of it is condesending, but no doubt, as a women who likes to eat, I've found a loss in my normal cravings and do feel satisfied with her diet. The elimination of "white" foods and lowering empty carbs is awesome. Sure this diet caters to people who can eat less and eat well, so may not be for everyone. It works for me. I feel great and am losing weight. I've tried Weight Watchers and actually GAINED weight...go figure.
4 - Melaine Hruska
I myself am a scientist and have found some issues with the books claims. But there is a message in the book that I do not feel is unhealthy or dangerous! The book is a great motivational tool. I have used it in my weight loss goals and found myself to have more energy than ever, many of my health issues, such as skin and general allergies, subsided. Now, way is this? Because I took the message of eating smaller portions, eating food that American’s have cut completely out of our diet, deceasing things in our diets that are harmful such has high amounts of fats and breads, and drinking the daily amount of water, not soda, sports drinks or even infused fruit waters. Also, getting up and exercising! None of it I find harmful, unless you take it to the extreme! That is true for any diet and why you should consult a doctor before starting a diet/exercise plan.
As for “Starving” on this plan, from my experience I was more filled than I had ever been and for longer! My cravings for fast food and quick fix caffeine drinks diminished over time and I felt great. When ever I did try to start a “FAD” diet that’s when I starved, still not seeing result and consuming twice as many calories! But this is a personal experience! I did ease back into eating small amount of wheat enriched foods but never to the excess that I did! This book offers motivation, encouragement, and a starting point. A starting point to reevaluate what we put in our body’s as American’s and individuals.
5 - Lourdesee
I have done very well on this diet. It really isnt a diet at all. It is eating Healthy foods vs. crap. I too have been on weightwatchers and didnt do as well as Im doing. I have never ever had a sugar low and Am now down from 2500 of metformin..for diabetes to 1000 mg. That is awesome. I do exercise and eat well and never hungry. So I dont care why you dont think this is enough calories its great for me and Ive never felt better.....
6 - Lourdesee
Sorry...I forgot to mention...Take some kind of fiber with this diet...This way is eating is the only thing this diet is lacking is fiber.....
7 - Erin
Started this diet plan yesterday and am off it today. I felt full all day but had an awful headache and mood swings all day and into the evening. Sure it'd probably go away after the Jumpstart or something but I have a job and a one year old, this is not the ideal diet for me.
8 - Lourdesee
Still on this way of eating and down 65 lbs. I have tried every diet and its the only one that I have done well. My Blood sugar is great, I still walk and try and eat well always. I sometimes have to eat cookies or pizza, just not every day.
9 - Alaina
i usually skim diet books to see what they are trying to get to. i did the same with this one. first thing, part of the program is exercising for an hour a day, first thing in the morning. that's excellent advice that should be common sense. but it isn't. second thing, drinking a bunch of water throughout the day. again, should be common sense. but it isn't. eating only small portions BUT eating throughout the day. these portions consisting of whole foods that haven't been processed beyond recognition. getting more spinach in your diet, or broccoli or a cup of yogurt and cutting back on sugar. all of these things should be common sense. but they aren't. this book is a way of getting past our upbringing as a child so we don't know that food is for fuel, not comfort. and some foods really AREN'T food.
to sum it up, this book is informative and i've never felt better. it was a motivator. it's not "new" information, but maybe it is.
10 - Anton
I started this diet in May 2007 in combination with 5 gym sessions a week and by December that year I lost almost 40 kilos. I was initially a whooping 123 kg and came down to 85kg -- from a waist size of 46 to 32.
I take issue with most of the criticisms. I found this diet aspirational and made me feel good about myself and began to look at my body with admiration. For the first time in my life I gained an interest in fashion, started wearing skinny trousers and slim fit shirts and felt great as a result.
The book has valuable principles to remember, such as "if you don't know what's in it dont eat it". These are things that make you choosier about the food one consumes - cleaner and healthier things.
I found the addition of calcium in my diet made me feel great, more satisfied and my skin looked radiant.
Friends told me that I looked 10 years younger.
One of the downsides of the diet -- I think -- is that the low calorie count made me sometimes light headed. As my work is mostly intellectual, one shouldn't play with key things like glucose (the brain's food) and I wonder if this diet might have a weakness in this regard.
Regrettably I was not able to keep the weight off for long. I succeeded in staying in a very enjoyable (and skinny!) plateau for about a year, and gradually I began to pile up the pounds again - albeit slowly, and I'm now back at a rather unhappy 114 kg. I feel that I took my eye off the ball with the alcohol particularly and have lifted any restrictions on starchy foods.
I am going to go back to the method and loose weight again - hopefully to keep it off for good!
11 - Marie
What is missing from your commentary is that this book offers a broad range of summary information covering why & how foods contribute to better skin and health, not just weight loss. It also gives a nice list of supplements you can take, and explains how your body needs them. I have read many 'diet books' and this is the first to put all of this information together. Incidentally, I have had high blood pressure for years, and am not overweight, so I was surprised to 'learn' of Dr. Klauer's recommendation of the Calcium to lower blood pressure. Since meds, lower salt, and exercise have not lowered my BP, I may try the CA supplements!