Uno de los problemas más preocupantes después de la menopausia, es la ganancia de peso. El calcio y la vitamina D podrían ayudar a evitar este problema.

Según la Dra. Bette Caan, de Kaiser Permanente Northern California, tomar una cantidad superior de esos dos elementos a las necesidades cotidianas, se ha mostrado eficaz para controlar el ganancia de peso en las personas de edad. No obstante, los autores consideran controvertido el papel que juega el calcio.

Calcio y vitamina DEl estudio realizado se basa en una enorme población de mujeres menopáusicas, de 50 a 79 años de edad, pertenecientes al famoso Women's Health Initiative, que recibieron diariamente un gramo de calcio y 400 UI de vitamina D o placebo.

Arch Intern Med. 2007 May 14;167(9):893-902.Click here to read

Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and the risk of postmenopausal weight gain.

Caan B, Neuhouser M, Aragaki A, Lewis CB, Jackson R, LeBoff MS, Margolis KL, Powell L, Uwaifo G, Whitlock E, Wylie-Rosett J, LaCroix A.Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA 94612, USA. bjc@dor.kaiser.org

BACKGROUND: Obesity in the United States has increased significantly during the past several decades. The role of calcium in the maintenance of a healthy body weight remains controversial. METHODS: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was performed with 36 282 postmenopausal women, aged 50 to 79 years, who were already enrolled in the dietary modification and/or hormone therapy arms of the Women's Health Initiative clinical trial. Women were randomized at their first or second annual visit to receive a dose of 1000 mg of elemental calcium plus 400 IU of cholecalciferol (vitamin D) or placebo daily. Change in body weight was ascertained annually for an average of 7 years. RESULTS: Women receiving calcium plus cholecalciferol supplements vs women receiving placebo had a minimal but consistent favorable difference in weight change (mean difference, -0.13 kg; 95% confidence interval, -0.21 to -0.05; P = .001). After 3 years of follow-up, women with daily calcium intakes less than 1200 mg at baseline who were randomized to supplements were 11% less likely to experience small weight gains (1-3 kg) and 11% less likely to gain more moderate amounts of weight (>3 kg) (P for interaction for baseline calcium intake = .008). CONCLUSION: Calcium plus cholecalciferol supplementation has a small effect on the prevention of weight gain, which was observed primarily in women who reported inadequate calcium intakes.