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Menopause supplements costing up to £95 a month are 'fairy-dusted' 'marketing hype' no better than a 6p multivitamin, Which? finds

From the Newshound archive · first published 30 September 2026.

Asda's A-Z Multivitamins & Minerals, at just 6p a day, outperformed all 26 menopause supplements tested by Which?, which found manufacturers exploiting women's "health anxiety" with unproven claims.
Asda's A-Z Multivitamins & Minerals, at just 6p a day, outperformed all 26 menopause supplements tested by Which?, which found manufacturers exploiting women's "health anxiety" with unproven claims.

Which? nutritionist Shefalee Loth says not one of 26 menopause supplements tested contained the right nutrients at effective doses, despite charging women up to £95 a month. The consumer group reviewed products sold at Boots, Superdrug and Holland & Barrett, finding manufacturers were exploiting "health anxiety and insecurities" with "quasi-medical claims." Asda's standard A-Z Multivitamins & Minerals at just 6p a day outperformed the lot.

Researchers found most products used 'fairy-dusting' — adding key ingredients at doses too low to do anything useful.

Only one product, Menopace Max by Vitabiotics, contained beneficial calcium and vitamin D — identical amounts to a supermarket multivitamin costing 15 times less.

Plant-based ingredients such as black cohosh, soy and red clover were rated as having 'mixed' evidence, and products regularly included them at a fraction of the quantities used in clinical trials.

MoreThe GuardianMenopause supplements costing more than £400 a year ‘no better than cheap multivitamin’Daily MailMenopause supplements are all 'marketing hype' and no better than 6p multivitamin, investigation revealsLBCSupplements costing hundreds of pounds a year no better than 6p options – Which?The IndependentMenopause supplements costing hundreds no better than 6p multivitamins, Which? findsEvening StandardSupplements costing hundreds of pounds a year no better than 6p optionsDaily RecordWarning issued over 'fairy-dusted' menopause supplements costing hundredsBelfast TelegraphSupplements costing hundreds of pounds a year no better than 6p options – Which? - Belfast Telegraph
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