No effect on menopause of vitamin D

IT can improve your mood, ease muscle aches and help regulate body temperature.

But vitamin D does not help ease the symptoms of menopause, according to a study.

Much to their surprise, scientists found that menopausal women who took vitamin D and calcium supplements suffered just as many hot flushes, headaches and sleep disturbances as those given dummy pills – despite previous studies showing that it improved mood and muscle pain in non-menopausal women.

The study involved almost 35,000 menopausal women aged 50 to 79, with half taking vitamin D and calcium supplements for around six years.

Lead author Dr Erin LeBlanc, of the Kaiser Permanente Centre for Health Research in Oregon, said the study suggests women should not rely on vitamin D for relief.

She said: ‘We asked women about 20 menopausal symptoms ... and we did not find differences. We were somewhat surprised.’

However, writing in the journal Menopause, she said vitamin D is still recommended for older women as it boosts bone health.