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NEW
STUDY SHOWS 3-4 SERVINGS OF DAIRY EACH DAY HELP BURN FAT
Dairy foods have a powerful, positive
impact on weight loss
Sacramento, CA, April 26, 2004 - In a 24-week study published
in Obesity Research, the official journal of the North American
Association for the Study of Obesity, adults on a reduced-calorie
diet who ate 3-4 servings of dairy foods each day lost an average
of 24 pounds, significantly more than those who also cut calories
but consumed few or no dairy foods.
In fact, the
group consuming dairy foods lost more weight in the trunk and abdominal
regions than those on other diets. This is important because abdominal
fat is associated with a higher risk of heart disease. The mix of
essential nutrients in dairy foods, including calcium and protein,
appears to speed up metabolism and improve the body's ability to
burn fat.
"The practical
significance of this research is simple - people lose more weight
on diets that include three servings of dairy than on diets that
don't," said lead researcher Michael Zemel, Ph.D., professor of
nutrition, director of the Nutrition Institute, University of Tennessee.
"By reducing body fat in the abdominal region, people may also reduce
their risk of developing several chronic diseases, including heart
disease and hypertension."
The
Dairy Advantage
Obese adults were placed in one of three groups: one low in calcium
and dairy, one high in calcium supplements but low in dairy, and
one high in dairy - at least 3-4 servings of milk, cheese or yogurt
every day. Each person, regardless of their calcium/dairy group,
consumed a diet that was 500 calories lower than their normal caloric
intake. Participants were able to choose from fat-free, lowfat and
regular dairy products.
--
more --
After 24 weeks,
those on the high-dairy diet lost the greatest percentage of total
body weight (11%), significantly more than those in the high-calcium
supplemented group (9%) and the low-calcium/low-dairy group (6%).
Fat loss followed a similar trend, with people on the high-dairy
diet losing significantly more body fat than those in the other
two groups, specifically in the abdominal region.
"It's clear
from our research that the unique combination of essential nutrients
in dairy foods has a powerful, positive impact on metabolism and
weight loss," said Zemel.
The
Dairy-Weight Loss Connection
Dr. Zemel discovered the dairy-weight loss connection 14 years ago
when he was studying hypertension among African-American men and
noticed that those who consumed at least two servings of yogurt
daily lost an average of 11 pounds during a one-year study without
reducing calories. Other researchers have documented similar findings
and more research is underway to better identify the role dairy
foods play in weight loss.
"We have always
known that dairy foods are an important part of a healthy diet for
a number of reasons," said Lori Hoolihan, Ph.D., R.D., Dairy Council
of California nutrition research specialist. "Many people do not
realize just how easy it is to incorporate 3 to 4 servings of dairy
into their daily diet. For example, an 8 ounce cup of milk or yogurt
equals 1 serving. Zemel's research strengthens the case that incorporating
dairy into your daily diet is a vital part of losing and maintaining
a healthy weight no matter what diet plan you follow."
Dairy
reduces weight and disease risk
These findings come at a time when 64 percent of Americans are overweight
or obese, meaning most Americans are at risk for weight-related
health conditions such as diabetes and increased blood pressure.[2]
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, in 2000 the total cost of
obesity was estimated to be $117 billion.[3] A recent research review
of over 90 studies suggests that increasing dairy food intake to
3-4 servings each day as part of a lower-calorie, nutrient-rich
diet could lead to a significant reduction in chronic disease risk,
including obesity, diabetes and hypertension, resulting in cost
savings of more than $200 billion over five years.[4] For more information
about dairy's role in weight management and weight loss, visit www.healthyweightwithdairy.com.
# # #
Dairy Council of California has been providing nutrition information
and education programs for 85 years. Available in both Spanish and
English, Dairy Council's programs encourage healthy choices from
all food groups and daily physical activity. For more information,
visit www.dairycouncilofca.org
, or www.mealsmatter.org
for meal planning and recipe information.
Sources:
| 1. |
Zemel MB,
et al. Dietary Calcium and Dairy Products Accelerate Weight
and Fat Loss During Energy Restriction in Obese Adults. Obesity
Research. 2004; 12(4): 582-590. |
| 2. |
National
Institutes of Health. Clinical guidelines on the identification,
evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults.
Bethesda, Maryland: Department of Health and Human Services,
National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute, 1998. |
| 3. |
U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services. The Surgeon General's Call to
Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity. U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service,
Office of the Surgeon General, Rockville, MD. 2001. |
| 4. |
McCarron
DA, Heaney RP. Estimated healthcare savings associated with
adequate dairy food intake. American Journal of Hypertension.
2004; 17(1):88-97. |
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