A woman’s body endures numerous hormonal changes as it transitions from the reproductive years to menopause, and as a result many women experience alterations in cognition, mood, body composition, and sleep. Insomnia, or chronic inability to fall asleep and/or stay asleep, may be experienced by up to 40% of women that have officially reached menopause. Recent research has shown that vitamin E may be of help.
A study from 2023 found that supplementing daily with 400 IU of mixed vitamin E tocopherols over 4 weeks led to significant improvements in ratings of sleep quality in menopausal women experiencing insomnia. These women also showed a 15% reduction in use of prescription sleep aids. Chronic insomnia is a stressor that may reduce the body’s antioxidant levels, and vitamin E – a natural antioxidant – may help restore those levels and improve stress and inflammation. Reducing stress and inflammation, especially in the brain, may help restore sleep.
Nutrients, 2023
