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Jamie Ratliff is a health writer for Ask Wellness. Please feel free to re-publish this article provided this reference box and all links remain intact.

The human body's metabolism makes weight loss difficult, he explains. "Many people who stick to a calorie-reduced diet don't lose weight as fast as they

think they should. That's because they activate metabolic protection ... Their bodies sense starvation and hang on to energy, fat, more voraciously."

Mice on "high-dairy" diet lost 69% body fat ----------------- However, calcium from dairy products produced best results. Mice on "medim-dairy" diet had a 60% decrease in body fat, while those on "high-dairy" diet lost 69% body fat. Researchers also found very small increases in thermogenesis, body's core temperature, which then enhances effects of calcium gained through diet rather than calcium in supplement form, says Zemel.

"Calcium is no magic bullet. What study says is that ... higher-calcium diets favor burning rather than storing fat. Calcium changes efficiency of weight loss," Zemel tells WebMD.

The human body's metabolism makes weight loss difficult, he explains. "Many people who stick to a calorie-reduced diet don't lose weight as fast as they think they should. That's because they activate metabolic protection ... Their bodies sense starvation and hang on to energy, fat, more voraciously."

Substitute high-fat dairy products with low-fat dairy -------------------------------------------- Too many dieters tend to immediately "jettison dairy foods from their diet, because they're just sure they're going to make them fat. In fact, they are shooting themselves in foot, because they subject themselves to more empty-calorie sources. They would be better off if they would substitute high-fat dairy products with low-fat dairy," says Zemel.

Keeping in mind that mouse study is preliminary, it is very well done and shows promise, Pamela Meyers, PhD, a clinical nutritionist and assistant professor at Kennesaw State University near Atlanta. "But calcium amounts study suggests are effectively equal to what USDA already recommends as a minimum for adults," she adds.

While nonfat dry milk was used in this study, few people buy that product, says Meyers. "Also, there are people who are lactose intolerant who can't consume dairy products. That is why we need to look at other food sources of calcium, [such as] ... dark leafy vegetables, salmon, mackerel, almonds, and oats. ... They also are very high in fiber, which helps in terms of weight management."

If using calcium supplements, it's important to choose those with dded vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium, which help body to better absorb calcium, says Meyers.

This study was supported in part by National Dairy Council.