Menopause Micronutrients

Calcium is essential for muscle contraction, blood clotting, nerve function, and bone health. Magnesium supports insulin sensitivity, blood pressure regulation, mood, restorative sleep, and muscle recovery. Calcium supplementation is described as especially important after menopause because dietary calcium absorption declines with age. Calcium should be supplemented with vitamins D and K to direct calcium into bone rather than blood vessels. Estrogen decline during menopause accelerates bone loss because estrogen helps maintain bone density. Low magnesium levels correlate with low bone density in pre- and postmenopausal women. Zinc deficiency is common in postmenopausal women and correlates with increased fat mass accumulation.