Research
Hormonal
High dietary calcium intake increases thermogenesis and uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2) expression, contributing to energy expenditure and weight loss independent of caloric restriction.
This mechanism is more relevant to understanding the biological basis of calcium's effect rather than a direct actionable step for humans, as the temperature increase is modest and observed in animal models.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
high calcium diets caused marked reductions in fatty acid synthase expression and activity (35% to 81%), two- to threefold increases in lipolysis and increases in core temperature (0.48 – 0.67°C) and uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2) expression during energy restriction
Why this rating
Supported by animal studies showing increased core temperature and UCP-2 expression.
Source
Regulation of Adiposity and Obesity Risk By Dietary Calcium: Mechanisms and Implications
Michael B. Zemel · Journal of the American College of Nutrition · 2002
DOI 10.1080/07315724.2002.10719212
narrative_reviewCited 393×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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