A new analysis by consumer watchdog Which? has raised concerns about the cost and effectiveness of menopause supplements, finding that expensive specialty products provide no meaningful benefit over standard, affordable multivitamins.
The investigation examined 26 popular supplements sold through major retailers including Holland & Barrett, Boots and Amazon. Researchers determined that none of the products studied contained the correct nutrients in appropriate doses to support menopause health. Which? identified calcium and vitamin D as particularly important during perimenopause and menopause due to their role in bone health as estrogen levels decline. Other beneficial nutrients include iron, magnesium and additional vitamins and minerals that can address various menopause-related symptoms.
The price disparity between products was substantial. Asda’s A-Z Multivitamins & Minerals, costing 6p daily, contained all essential vitamins plus 200mg of calcium and 100mg of magnesium. By comparison, Love Mushrooms’ Empower cost £1.33 daily yet lacked magnesium and calcium entirely. Wild Nutrition’s Women’s 45+ Daily Multi Nutrient at £1.27 daily contained only 1.5µg of vitamin D, 60mg of calcium and 30mg of magnesium—all significantly below NHS recommended amounts. Vitabiotics’ Menopace Max, the highest-scoring supplement analyzed, cost 93p daily yet remained more than 15 times the price of Asda’s option.
The global menopause supplement market is valued at nearly $17bn and projected to reach $25bn by 2030 as women seek relief from hot flushes, sleep problems and mood changes. However, research from UCL examining 201 UK supplements found less than half contained vitamin D and calcium, with most ingredients lacking specific endorsement from major menopause societies. Industry representatives responded that supplements are formulated according to food regulations and address increased nutritional demands during menopause.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI