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Non-fasting hypertriacylglycerolaemia is a risk factor for CVD and the amount of fat in a meal seems to be the main factor influencing postprandial lipaemia. Although several studies suggest that Ca can increase faecal fat excretion, it is not known whether Ca can decrease postprandial TAG. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of dietary Ca (DC) and supplemental Ca (SC) on lipaemia, glucose metabolism, C-reactive protein (CRP) and adiponectin during postprandial period in obese women challenged with a high-fat meal. In this cross-over controlled trial, sixteen obese women aged 20-50 years were randomly assigned to receive three test meals (approximately 2900 kJ; 48 % fat): high DC (547 mg DC), high SC (HSCM; 500 mg SC-calcium carbonate) and low Ca (42 mg DC). Blood samples were collected in the fasting period and at minutes 120 and 240 after meals to evaluate total cholesterol and fractions, TAG, glucose, insulin, high-sensitivity CRP and adiponectin. Serum levels of TAG and insulin increased significantly after all test meals. Only after HSCM total cholesterol did not present a significant increase and LDL-cholesterol had a significant decrease. Postprandial glucose, HDL-cholesterol, CRP and adiponectin did not present significant changes after the three test meals. The comparative analysis of the effects of the three test meals on serum lipids, glucose, insulin, CRP and adiponectin revealed no significant meal-by-time interaction. These results suggest that in obese women challenged with a high-fat meal DC and SC do not interfere with postprandial lipaemia, glucose metabolism, CRP and adiponectin.

Recent studies suggest that supplemental Ca (SC) increases the risk of cardiovascular events, whereas dietary Ca (DC) decreases the risk of cardiovascular events. Although frequently consumed with meals, it remains unclear whether Ca can mitigate or aggravate the deleterious effects of a high-fat meal on cardiovascular risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SC or DC on blood pressure (BP) and microvascular function (MVF) in the postprandial period in obese women challenged with a high-fat meal. In this cross-over controlled trial, sixteen obese women aged 20-50 years were randomly assigned to receive three test meals (2908 kJ (695 kcal); 48 % fat): high DC (HDCM; 547 mg DC), high SC (HSCM; 500 mg SC-calcium carbonate) and low Ca (LCM; 42 mg DC). BP was continuously evaluated from 15 min before to 120 min after meals by digital photoplethysmography. Before and 120 min after meals, participants underwent evaluation of serum Ca and microvascular flow after postocclusive reactive hyperaemia (PORH) by laser speckle contrast imaging. Ionised serum Ca rose significantly only after HSCM. Systolic BP increased after the three meals, whereas diastolic BP increased after LCM and HDCM. Hyperaemia peak, hyperaemia amplitude and AUC evaluated after PORH decreased with LCM. After HDCM, there was a reduction in hyperaemia peak and hyperaemia amplitude, whereas HSCM decreased only hyperaemia peak. However, comparative analyses of the effects of three test meals on serum Ca, BP and MVF revealed no significant meal×time interaction. This study suggests that in obese women SC and DC do not interfere with the effects of a high-fat meal on BP and MVF.

Background: There is evidence that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it is not known if this association is independent of dietary calcium, intracellular calcium and serum levels of parathormone, calcitriol and calcium., Objectives: To investigate the independent relationship of vitamin D deficiency with insulin resistance, lipid profile, inflammatory status, blood pressure and endothelial function., Method: Cross-sectional study conducted with 73 healthy Brazilian premenopausal women aged 18 - 50 years. All participants were evaluated for: 25 hydroxyvitamin D serum levels, anthropometric parameters, body composition, calcium metabolism, insulin resistance, lipoprotein profile, inflammatory status, blood pressure and endothelial function. Endothelial function was assessed by reactive hyperemia index using Endo-PAT 2000®. Women were stratified in two groups: with vitamin D deficiency (25 hydroxyvitamin D < 20 ng/ml; n=12) and without vitamin D deficiency (25 hydroxyvitamin D ≥ 20 ng/ml; n=61)., Results and Discussion: Participants with vitamin D deficiency compared with those without deficiency of this vitamin had significantly higher levels of glucose (88.25 ± 3.24 vs. 80.15 ± 1.13 mg/dl), greater HOMA-IR (6.43 ± 0.73 vs. 4.42 ± 0.25) and lower reactive hyperemia index (1.68 ± 0.1 vs. 2.17 ± 0.1). After adjustments for confounding factors including age, body mass index, waist circumference, dietary calcium, intracellular calcium and serum levels of parathormone, calcitriol and calcium differences between groups remained significant, regarding glucose and HOMA-IR., Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that vitamin D deficiency is associated with insulin resistance independent of dietary calcium, intracellular calcium and serum levels of parathormone, calcitriol and calcium in healthy premenopausal women., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Recent studies have suggested that dietary Ca may have beneficial effects on adiposity, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and blood pressure (BP). One potential mechanism underlying these benefits involves modifications in intracellular Ca concentration ([Ca2+]i). The present study aimed to evaluate the associations of dietary Ca with adiposity, erythrocyte [Ca2+]i, metabolic profile, BP, inflammatory state and endothelial function in healthy pre-menopausal women. In the present cross-sectional study, seventy-six women aged 18–50 years were submitted to the evaluation of dietary intake, anthropometric parameters, body composition, erythrocyte [Ca2+]i, biochemical variables, endothelial function and BP. A FFQ was used to assess usual dietary intake. Endothelial function was evaluated by serum concentrations of adhesion molecules and by the peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) method, using Endo-PAT 2000®. Participants were allocated into two groups according to Ca intake: low-Ca group (LCG; n 32; < 600 mg/d) and high-Ca group (HCG; n 44; ≥ 600 mg/d). Women in the LCG compared with those in the HCG exhibited, after adjustments for potential confounders, higher values of BMI, waist circumference, waist:height ratio, percentage of body fat, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, leptin, diastolic and mean BP; and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol, adiponectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1. Endothelial function assessed by PAT and [Ca2+]i was similar in both groups. Subjects in the HCG had lower OR for prevalent overweight, obesity, abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, HDL-cholesterol < 600 mg/l and systolic BP >120 mmHg. The findings of the present study suggest that high Ca intake is inversely associated with some cardiovascular risk factors.

Objective: Obesity is characterized by chronic subclinical inflammation, which is critical to endothelial dysfunction. Weight loss, induced by lifestyle interventions, is associated with a decline in biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. There is little evidence that high dietary calcium intake may reduce inflammation and improve endothelial function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of weight loss from a high-calcium energy-reduced diet on biomarkers of inflammation, fibrinolysis, and endothelial function in obese individuals., Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, we analyzed the data from 35 obese adults who lost at least 3% of initial body weight, during a period of 16 wk of energy restriction (-800 Kcal/d). Individuals were randomized into the following dietary regimens: (1) a high calcium diet (HCD; 1200-1300 mg/d) or (2) a low-calcium diet (LCD; <500 mg/d)., Results: After 16 wk of intervention subjects on HCD compared with those on LCD exhibited greater reduction in waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. Participants on HCD presented a significant reduction in all biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction evaluated in the study (intracellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and E-Selectin), whereas subjects on LCD showed a significant decrease in intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-Selectin. Biomarkers of inflammation and fibrinolysis were reduced in both diets, although without reaching statistical significance. The reduction in all markers of inflammation, fibrinolysis, and endothelial dysfunction was similar in both diets., Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that increased calcium intake during weight loss has no benefits with respect to biomarkers of inflammation, fibrinolysis, and endothelial function., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Dietary intervention is an important approach in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Over the last decade, some studies have suggested that a calcium-rich diet could help to control body weight, with anti-obesity effects. The potential mechanism underlying the impact of calcium on body fat has been investigated, but it is not fully understood. Recent evidence has also suggested that a calcium-rich diet could have beneficial effects on other cardiovascular risk factors, such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension and inflammatory states. In a series of studies, it was observed that a high intake of milk and/or dairy products (the main sources of dietary calcium) is associated with a reduction in the relative risk of cardiovascular disease. However, a few studies suggest that supplemental calcium (mainly calcium carbonate or citrate) may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. This review will discuss the available evidence regarding the relationship between calcium intake (dietary and supplemental) and different cardiovascular risk factors and/or events.

Objective: This aim of this study was to evaluate the association between dietary calcium and variables that include body mass index, abdominal obesity, metabolic profile, and blood pressure levels in renal transplant patients., Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted., Setting: Eligible patients were recruited from renal transplant outpatient clinics at Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil., Patients: A total of 40 men and 34 women aged >18 years who had received kidney transplants in the past ≥12 months were included in this study., Intervention: All patients underwent clinical, dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical evaluation., Results: Participants were classified into the following 2 groups on the basis of their mean dietary calcium intake: group A (<600 mg/day) and group B (≥600 mg/day). Patients in group B presented significantly lower levels of waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio as compared with those in group A (P = .04 and P = .005, respectively), after adjusting for confounding variables such as energy intake, gender, age, physical activity, time since transplantation, and prednisone dose. After controlling for potential confounders, including energy intake and physical activity, subjects in group B had a lower odds ratio for prevalent abdominal obesity as compared with those in group A (odds ratio, 0.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.03 to 0.94; P = .04). Body mass index was significantly lower in patients with higher calcium intake; however, this difference did not reach statistical significance after adjustments for confounding factors. Metabolic profile and blood pressure levels were similar in both groups., Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that a higher dietary calcium intake may be associated with lower abdominal adiposity in renal transplant patients., (Copyright © 2011 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: An inverse relation between dietary calcium and adiposity has been found in several epidemiologic studies. Recent evidence has also suggested that a calcium-rich diet may have beneficial effects on insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. This study aimed to evaluate the association of dietary calcium intake with global adiposity, abdominal obesity, and metabolic profile in hypertensive patients., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 85 hypertensive patients 25 to 70 y old underwent clinical, dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical evaluations. Participants were stratified into the following two groups according to their usual dietary calcium intake: low calcium group (<800 mg/d) and high calcium group (≥800 mg/d)., Results: Fifty-seven participants (11 men and 46 women) were included in the final analyses. Subjects in the low calcium group compared with those in the high calcium group exhibited significantly higher levels of body mass index and percentage of body fat after adjustments for variables that could interfere with those adiposity parameters (P = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively). Patients in the high calcium group had a lower odds ratio for prevalent obesity than those in the low calcium group, even after controlling for potential confounders (P = 0.01). No significant differences were found in abdominal adiposity and metabolic profile between the two groups. Using data from all patients, an inverse and significant association was observed between dietary calcium intake and percentage of body fat, and it remained after controlling for confounders (P = 0.03)., Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that, in hypertensive patients, higher dietary calcium intake could be associated with lower global adiposity., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Clinical trials designed to examine the effects of calcium supplementation on abdominal obesity have had ambiguous results., Aims: This study aimed to evaluate, during energy restriction, the effects of a high-calcium diet (HCD) on measures of abdominal obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors in Brazilian obese subjects of multiethnic origin., Methods: We conducted a randomised clinical trial. Fifty obese subjects of both sexes, aged 22-55 years, with stable body weight and a low calcium intake were randomised into the following outpatient dietary regimens: (i) a low-calcium diet (LCD; < 500 mg/day) or (ii) a HCD [1200-1300 mg/day, supplemented with non-fat powdered milk (60 g/day)]. Both groups followed an energy-restricted diet (-800 kcal/day) throughout the study (16 weeks)., Results: Thirty-nine participants completed the study. After 16 weeks of energy restriction, a significant reduction was observed in all anthropometric parameters, metabolic variables (except for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and blood pressure levels in both the groups. Insulin was significantly reduced only in the HCD group. Subjects on the HCD compared with those on the LCD exhibited a greater reduction in waist circumference (p = 0.002), waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.0001), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.04) and mean blood pressure (p = 0.03)., Conclusions: Our study suggests that increased calcium intake may enhance the beneficial effects of energy restriction on abdominal obesity and blood pressure.