Menopause supplements have become big business. The global market is valued at nearly $17 billion and is expected to grow to $25 billion by 2030, according to The Guardian.
The products are marketed, among other things, to women experiencing hot flashes, sleep problems and mood swings.
Calcium and vitamin D are particularly important during this period because they help maintain healthy bones.
The British consumer organisation Which? examined the contents of 26 popular supplements sold by retailers including Boots, Holland & Barrett and Amazon, according to The Guardian.
Also read: Pregnant while on Ozempic or Wegovy? Here is what the evidence says
Major differences
According to Which?, several of the products contained only small amounts of important vitamins and minerals. Some lacked them entirely.
One product from Wild Nutrition, for example, cost £468 a year. It contained 1.5 micrograms of vitamin D, 60 milligrams of calcium and 30 milligrams of magnesium. According to Which?, these amounts are significantly lower than the daily levels recommended by the NHS.
A UCL study of 201 supplements in the UK also found that fewer than half contained both vitamin D and calcium.
Cheaper alternative
Which? found that none of the 26 products examined contained the right combination of nutrients in appropriate amounts for use specifically during menopause.
Also read: How to keep ripe avocados fresh for longer
The most expensive product cost £485 a year and contained neither calcium nor magnesium.
By comparison, a standard multivitamin from Asda cost £22 a year and contained all essential vitamins as well as calcium and magnesium.
According to Which?, a standard multivitamin combined with individual supplements as needed can therefore often be both cheaper and potentially more effective.
Also read: Just one wall sit session a week may hold your blood pressure gains for weeks
Also read: These everyday foods contain more protein than you might think
This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.