Menopause

Winners Explained

 

SC Quality Benchmark:   At least two of the following ingredients which have either substantial or some evidence of benefit should be included in the product at appropriate levels indicated below.   1) Black cohosh at a minimum of 4mg triterpene glycosides per daily dose; 2) Isoflavones ( phytooestrogens) at a minimum of 50mg per daily dose, but preferably with over 100mg per daily dose. 3) St Johns Wort at a minimum of 500mcg hypericin per daily dose. 4) A multivitamin and mineral with greater than 100% RDA level of some vitamins particularly vitamin E.

 

Menopause is a natural lifestage progression of women during middle age, which is associated in many cases with undesirable symptoms such as frequent hot flushes, headaches, cold extremities, mood swings, forgetfulness, and vaginal dryness.

 

Dietary supplements and herbal products which have been found to be  helpful in menopause management are the botanicals, Black Cohosh, St Johns Wort and isoflavones. In addition a higher intake of vitamins particularly vitamins E, C, and the minerals calcium and magnesium may be helpful.

 

Specific menopausal supplements seek to combine at least two ingredients with either substantial or some evidence of benefit, but an alternative strategy which is worth considering would be to combine individual higher potency supplements such as a Black Cohosh, Isoflavones, St JohnsWort and a good quality multivitamin and mineral.

 

 

Quality

Most of the products in this category are multivitamin and mineral supplements with added isoflavones with six providing over 50mg of isoflavones per daily recommended dose. In the opinion of the SC Expert panel, these are likely to deliver some benefit. However, only Estro Balance from Holland and Barrett contained black cohosh, isoflavones and multivitamin and minerals. However the higher levels of the two herbs found in Flash Fighters also from Holland and Barrett gives this product the edge.

The provision of 120mg of soy isoflavones alongside a comprehensive multivitamin and mineral component makes Vitabiotics Menopace Plus well worth a look.

 

Value range

This value range for this category is based purely upon cost per daily dose, so even more emphasis should be placed on quality criteria when making your supplement choice. The cost per daily dose of products assessed ranged from £0.08 to £0.50.