Many supplements marketed towards women in perimenopause or menopause are overpriced and often fail to provide meaningful doses of key nutrients, according to research by Which? The consumer group found that some products costing hundreds of pounds a year were no better than a basic multivitamin costing just 6p a dose.
Review of 26 supplements
Which? nutrition experts reviewed 26 supplements aimed at women in perimenopause, menopause, or aged over 45, and compared more than 78 active ingredients against the latest scientific evidence. None of the supplements contained the right combination of nutrients at appropriate doses to support their use specifically for menopause, the experts concluded.
During menopause, calcium and vitamin D are the key nutrients that help protect bone health as oestrogen levels fall. Magnesium, iron, B vitamins and vitamins C, E and K, as well as iodine, selenium and zinc, can also be beneficial.
Cheaper alternatives and 'fairy-dusting'
Which? suggested that buying a high-quality multivitamin and adding targeted supplements where needed could be cheaper than a so-called all-in-one menopause blend while being potentially more effective. It found that Asda's A-Z Multivitamins & Minerals costing just 6p a day - or £22 a year - contained all essential vitamins, as well as 200mg of calcium and 100mg of magnesium.
Beyond price, many of the menopause supplements also contained key nutrients in doses too low to be beneficial, known as “fairy-dusting”, while others omitted important vitamins and minerals altogether, the study found. Many products combined vitamins and minerals with botanical ingredients, however, Which? found that the evidence for botanicals such as black cohosh, soy, and red clover was “mixed” and products often contained them at doses far below those used in clinical trials.
Industry concerns and advice
The consumer champions at Which? said it was concerned that the supplements industry had become a “wild west” and regulators were not doing enough to get a grip on “dubious marketing” and “unchecked quasi-medical claims from firms apparently seeking to cash in on people’s health anxiety and insecurities”. Because of this, it advised shoppers not to be influenced by marketing claims and to think carefully about what they need and whether the product actually delivers it. It also urged people to check what they’re getting for their money before paying a premium, as a higher price doesn’t always mean better quality.
Which? nutritionist, Shefalee Loth said: “Navigating mid-life is tricky enough but with so many products making big claims about how they can help, finding what actually works can be completely overwhelming and costs can spiral.
“Our research shows that despite these big claims the vast majority of these products lack the nutritional basics to cover the deficiencies most likely to happen with menopause despite some costing hundreds and hundreds of pounds a year.
“Our advice is to look beyond the marketing hype and think carefully about what you actually need. A higher price doesn’t automatically mean a product will be effective and a cheap multivitamin could do the same job without breaking the bank.”
