Dr Amir Khan has shared advice for menopausal women, cautioning that a popular supplement may not be the "answer to everything." While acknowledging it might help some with symptoms, he emphasised that scientific evidence remains inconclusive.
Menopause and Its Symptoms
Menopause is a natural life stage typically affecting women aged 45 to 55, occurring when hormone levels drop and periods cease. Symptoms can include hot flushes, mood swings, brain fog, and more, impacting both physical and mental health.
The NHS primarily recommends hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for symptom relief, but some turn to supplements like magnesium.
Dr Amir's Insights on Magnesium
In an Instagram video, Dr Amir Khan, known for ITV appearances, said: "Can we talk about magnesium and the menopause? I know lots of you are taking magnesium supplements and they help with many symptoms. But my job is to look at the current evidence." He noted that online, magnesium is often portrayed as a cure-all for poor sleep, anxiety, brain fog, hot flushes, stress, and muscle aches.
"If it's helping you, that's fine. I understand why people are interested. Menopause can affect sleep, mood, energy, confidence, and when struggling, you want something that might help," he added. However, he cautioned that the evidence is not "strong enough."
What the Science Says
Dr Amir explained that evidence for magnesium in postmenopausal women is mixed. Some studies suggest it may modestly improve sleep quality and reduce stress or anxiety, particularly in those with low dietary magnesium. But benefits are small, and research isn't robust enough to recommend it universally. For hot flushes and night sweats, evidence is even weaker.
He emphasised other key factors for bone health: "Resistance exercise, adequate protein, vitamin D, calcium, and for some women, HRT is important." He warned against expecting supplements to do the heavy lifting, noting that most people get enough magnesium from foods like nuts, seeds, dark green leafy vegetables, and beans.
"Magnesium isn't a miracle cure, but it's not nonsense either. It may help some women, especially with sleep and feeling restless," he said. He advised looking at the bigger picture: sleep habits, stress, diet, alcohol, exercise, and untreated menopause symptoms, where HRT might be better.
Official Advice and Research
The Department of Health and Social Care states that a varied, balanced diet should provide all necessary magnesium, and taking 400mg or less daily from supplements is unlikely to cause harm. Research on magnesium for menopause is mixed: a 2015 study in Menopause found no effect on hot flushes, while a 2021 mouse study in Journal of Inflammation Research showed magnesium prevented or reversed chronic pain and memory deficits. A 2017 meta-analysis in Nutrients suggested a beneficial effect on anxiety but called for better trials.
Common Menopause Symptoms
According to the NHS, common perimenopause and menopause symptoms include:
- Mood changes: low mood, anxiety, mood swings, low self-esteem
- Memory or concentration problems (brain fog)
- Hot flushes and night sweats
- Difficulty sleeping, tiredness, irritability
- Palpitations
- Headaches and migraines
- Muscle aches and joint pains
- Changed body shape, weight gain
- Dry, itchy skin
- Reduced sex drive
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex
- Recurrent UTIs
- Sensitive teeth or painful gums
Symptoms can last months or years. The NHS advises seeing a GP or nurse if you suspect perimenopause or menopause.
