Myths vs facts: Nährstoffcheck and menopause

Many myths surround nutrient testing during menopause. Fact: the need for certain micronutrients like vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins can change due to hormonal shifts and increased risks for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Targeted testing (e.g., vitamin D levels, ferritin, homocysteine) can be useful if symptoms or risk factors are present. However, it is a myth that a generic 'nutrient check' reveals all deficiencies or that expensive genetic tests (e.g., for BDNF, NRF2, FOXO3) enable personalized menopause nutrition. Evidence for such DNA-based recommendations is weak to mechanistic – it does not replace clinical diagnostics. Another myth is that all menopausal women need the same nutrients; individual variability is large. Beware of lab tests without medical interpretation: false positives can lead to unnecessary supplementation. A reliable nutrient check should follow current guidelines and be supervised by a physician or dietitian.