Vitamins for Menopause Weight Gain: Do Any Work?

Have you been wondering if there are any vitamins for menopause weight gain that might help you drop the pounds? As we enter midlife, and menopause, the struggle is real. The hormonal changes of menopause make us more likely to gain weight around the abdomen, along with aging, lifestyle and genetic factors. 

And while there are many vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements out on the market that claim to help increase metabolism, there is no good scientific evidence to support this. 

There are a few that have some supportive evidence for managing menopause symptoms including black cohosh, soy isoflavones and red clover extract (and of course, calcium and vitamin D for bone health), but it’s important to chat with your healthcare provider first before taking them because some of these may cause interactions with other medications or medical conditions.

What is the best way to manage menopause weight gain?

There’s no magic vitamin or supplement for preventing — or reversing — menopause weight gain. The best thing you can do is stick to weight-control basics and get you vitamins and nutrients through a regular healthy diet. 

Think of your food as medicine.  You can get the vitamins you need and lose weight by paying attention to what you’re eating and drinking. This involves choosing a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, low fat dairy and proteins.  

Look for foods that are  less processed and contain more fiber. Meat, such as red meat, or chicken, should be eaten in limited quantities. 

Replace butter, stick margarine and shortening with oils, such as olive or vegetable oil. And limit sweets and alcohol which add excess calories to your diet and increase the risk of gaining weight.

Vitamins for Menopause Weight Gain: Final Thoughts

There is no scientific evidence to support taking vitamins and supplements for weight loss, but the good news is that many common foods contain multiple mineral and vitamin sources, so it is not hard to meet your daily needs from everyday meals and lose weight at the same time.