A substantial proportion of menopausal women experience hot flashes, fatigue, and mood and sleep disturbances, which increase dependence on medications and impair quality of life.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is commonly prescribed for managing menopausal disturbances; however, those suffering from menopausal symptoms are increasingly likely to use botanicals, especially since HRT was linked to an increased risk for breast cancer.14
Draper said: “Understanding the prevalence in symptoms of changing hormones can take us in the right direction of funding more research to tackle these symptoms to demonstrate multiple methods of treating symptoms that go beyond HRT, which is a solution for some but not all women.
“This is where we need more emphasis in research where there are plenty of mechanistic and smaller studies to build on.”
Black cohosh15 (Actaea racemosa), which contains phytoestrogens, is the most thoroughly researched supplement for treating menopausal symptoms; it is often marketed as relieving symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. Valerian, dong quai, and maca (Lepidium meyenii) may also offer relief, although research is inconclusive.
There are anecdotal accounts of the benefits of vitamin E for menopausal symptoms.
Plant extracts with oestrogenic activities16 for menopausal symptom relief include soy, red clover, kudzu, hops, rhubarb, chasteberry, flaxseed, horny goat weed, and alfalfa.
“The industry is just beginning to realise how important it is to target women, since they are the largest purchasers of personalised nutrition and health,” Draper added.
“In the menopause space, we see some efforts to offer personalised solutions, but these are often just marketing questionnaires to sell [stock-keeping units] SKUs and not really focused on the unique health needs of the consumer, tailored to their metabolism, etc...
“We should be seeing more and more products focused on women’s personalised nutrition needs as the marketplace realises how open this space is for new product opportunities.”
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women,17 accounting for 35% of deaths among this demographic globally.
The risk of dying from heart disease increases with age, and so ingredients known for cardiovascular health benefits – such as plant sterols/stanols, phenolic compounds and beta-glucans – could form a focus for nutraceutical brands looking to target older women.
According to Mintel,18 the US National Cholesterol Education Program recommends 2 g of phytosterols per day for people with high cholesterol to protect against cardiovascular disease, while flavonoid-rich foods and ingredients have been shown to improve vascular function.
Furthermore, evidence suggests that changes in the gut microbiome could play a role in cardiovascular disease, meaning that probiotics or prebiotics could benefit the heart.
