MPowder 2024: Optimal Nutrition for Menopause Support

We chatted with Rebekah Brown, founder of MPowder, to discover how her functional, plant-based supplements can help curb the symptoms of menopause – a topic that still largely remains unspoken about.

Where did the idea for MPowder come from?

I was really sick during menopause, and was misdiagnosed by my doctor as being depressed. It was then that I started looking into the symptoms I was experiencing on a deeper level. 

I come from a background of research, so one of the things that struck me was the lack of robust information available on perimenopause and menopause. There’s also a lack of curiosity on the potential of functional foods in supporting our bodies – for all stages of life but particularly while transitioning into menopause. Lastly, I was also made painfully aware of the representation of menopause being “end of life” as opposed to a natural phase of midlife, and the fact that women are largely silenced.

I am not a nutritionist or naturopath, but by partnering with experts and listening to the voices of those who were experiencing menopause, I wanted to create a product that was going to have beneficial results. 

The products are tested and verified by women within our community. We work with them directly and trial the products for two months. We track symptoms week by week to ascertain efficacy and model our recipes around genuine feedback. We’re almost artisanal in our approach and have a very small production line. Our products come in powder form and are easy to integrate into your morning routine. 

Can you explain more about the three stages of menopause and how MPowder taps into these?

We talk in terms of stages because menopause is not just one day – 10 years of symptoms can not be put into one miracle tablet.

Perimenopause can last for up to eight years in some women and is often the phase we know the least about and are the least open about. We have a specific product called Peri-Boost that looks to improve hormone balance during this phase, as the symptoms are very different to those experienced during the menopause phase. Often the existing products out there for menopause are generic and don’t cater for each of the stages.

We then have a product that specifically looks at the 36-month period after your menopause anniversary and targets issues such as anxiety, blood sugar levels, weight gain, cardiovascular health, bone density, sleep, and more.

Finally, we talk in terms of post-menopause – which is effectively the rest of your life. This range is focused on nootropics and will be launched in September. 

What key ingredients go into your products?

There are 24 in each product. We wanted to provide a single scoop that covered all bases, and this is why we have a very long production timeline.

In terms of the ingredients, some of the superheroes (I would say) are Moringa, cacao, and – part of the mint family – the Moldavian dragonhead, which helps stimulate collagen production.

Do you believe menopause has been sidelined by the health industry?

Absolutely. In the UK, about 2% of medical research goes towards female health and a very tiny part of this is allocated to menopause. It’s still a very unknown area in the field of female health.

As menopause remains such a taboo subject, innovation and research have been stunted. For me, as a brand, I was told that menopause was a “niche”, despite it representing 51% of the population! Until now, there simply hasn't been enough investment in this sector.

Can all women benefit from MPowder?

Yes, anyone can benefit from our products. The only thing that should be pointed out is that the Peri-Boost formula contains isoflavones, which have a phytoestrogenic effect. This means if you have a history of hormone-sensitive cancer, you would need to speak to your doctor first.

Where can we find your products?

Online! You can shop via our website if you’re in the UK, and from Cult Beauty and The Drug.Store if you’re elsewhere. Shipping is free.

What’s next for MPowder?

We’ll be launching our post-menopause product in September, subject to the trial results.

Following on from that – greater personalization. We want to track results and make our experts readily available for input and support. This will be more of a product offering – the even bigger picture entails a personalized protein powder. Exciting times ahead!