Strontium Citrate Safety

I am interested in knowing if anyone has seen an improvement in bone density after using strontium citrate for about a year. I know a calculation has to be made for strontium to get an accurate BMD reading.

I have been taking 1200 mg highly absorbable calcium; 800 mg vitamin D; plus minerals, and some bone friendly foods like salads, vegies, fruits, fat-free milk, etc. And taking the strontium 4 hours away from the calcium, minerals, vitamins and food nutrition. I plan to have a BMD test soon and am hoping to see some improvement and I will let you know. In the meatime, I would like to know if anyone has been taking strontium long enough to see any results; or hopefully not--any problems?

I hear that many very elderly women have improved their bone density with strontium ranelate supplementation. The European studies do not indicate any harmful sides like high BP, blood clots, blood toxicity, dental caries, etc.

Strontium is sourced mainly from China where there are many impure and toxic products; and purity and cleanliness standards are mostly not regulated. I am wondering if there are affordable and trustworthy brands of strontium with optimal purity and safety?
I think Canada and France distribute pharm grade pure and refined strontium ranelate named Protelos. I have read that the FDA has not approved Protelos for fear of loss of pharm market revenue to strontium; while fronting the explanation that insufficient clinical trials have not been done; when indeed they have for years in France, Canada, and Europe.

As usual, women's health and women's diseases have been pushed to the back of the bus; so sad. Indeed, a primary health care provider told me outright that not much money or research goes into "women's" diseases like osteoporosis, arthritis, etc. Most of the money goes to heart disease, stroke, cancer and the diseases that primarily affect men. Women should be out in the street screaming and waving with their signs; and demanding equal access to quality health care; yet women remain meek and silent as lambs. Why are U.S. women not protesting the deeply engrained sexism in the U.S. medical establishment that negatively impacts the quality of their lives and their health? Will women have to move to Canada or France to save their bones?

Merl73

By Merl734
Posted October 14, 2009 at 10:53 pm
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My last Dexa showed some improvment after slightly improving my diet and using highly absorbent calicum supplements. I am also taking Strontium citrate and Biosil. I hear Biosil helps prevent hip fracture. Also, trying to keep my diet balanced as ac/alk balance reduces inflammation that causes joint pain and arthritis; and loss of calcium from bones.

By Merl734
Posted October 14, 2009 at 10:46 pm
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I have heard that artificial sweetners and flavoring agents like Aspartame, MSG, etc. actually make the body gain weight; and are very bad for the neurological system. I avoid artificial sweetners and additives whenever possible. I do not add sugar to anything and have become adjusted to not ever using sugar or salt; so almost anything with sugar or salt in it tastes bad to me. I was using stevia; however, I did not tolerate that well. I use herbs in place of salt. Salt and sugar leach calcium and minerals from bones; and sugar causes massive internal inflammation that causes chronic health problems like arthritis, heart disease, IBS, etc. Knowing all this takes the some of the pleasure out of that candy bar. However, I have not sworn off chocolate completely.

By Marlys
Posted October 14, 2009 at 1:17 am
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I am taking strontium citrate because I feel the possible benefits outweigh the risk. I feel even a small gain is better than a loss . I would be happy if I did not lose any more bone and ecstatic if my T scores improved.
Most of us buy other supplements over the counter at stores like GNC, dept stores and pharmacies.
I take multiple vitamins, flaxseed tabs, glucosamine/chondroitin/calcium magnesium, etc etc
Since NO vitamins and minerals sold over the counter are FDA approved it is just as likely that I will get impurities in my vitamin or flaxseed as in my strontium citrate.

By Lokamaya
Posted October 12, 2009 at 9:38 pm
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I have been using Doctor's Best strontium citrate, having started the high dose of 680mg daily only recently. It is not accurate or fair to condemn all raw materials from China. It is fair to condemn the cheap ones.

This company's policy on raw materials gives an explanation of the international market in raw materials.
http://drbvitamins.com/about-us/20.html

By SusanRae
Posted October 9, 2009 at 12:49 pm
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Skeptical: Many people take strontium in the night so it won't interfere with the other supplements they are taking. Also, some foods apparently interfere with strontium absorption so they want to take it on an empty stomach. Your comment about bones growing in the night is a little off the mark. The bones grow all the time. It's just that the medicine is taken in the night for the aforementioned reasons.

By skeptical
Posted October 8, 2009 at 12:08 pm
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I personally would be very skeptical of any product that grows my 55 year old bones while I sleep. I'm sorry but there is a ton of money to be made by getting people to buy in without large scale clinical trials first to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness. Take a look at the numbers to date that claim results. This has not been long enough nor tested on enough people to buy in at this point. One study did an injectable (synthetic I believe) and rats got bone tumors. I believe in the evidence for Vitamin D3 and calcium and magnesium maybe even vitamin K but I still have more research to do to investigate K toxicity. Just think about it--you really trust a product that is making your bones grow? I think we are grasping for the fountain of youth here. Is it going to make us taller?

By linnyd531
Posted March 28, 2009 at 10:35 pm
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Hi PikaB, thanks for the above link and info... that was very informative and promising. Hopefully, there will be some good results w/that california study using strontium citrate. thanks again for the post....linda

By PikaB
Posted March 27, 2009 at 4:27 pm
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FYI, this item states "A study reported at the 2007 International Bone and Mineral Research Conference in Honolulu found that three out of five products tested contained significantly less strontium than their labels indicated. The two properly labeled products were AOR Strontium Support and Strontium Bone Maker."

http://www.starbulletin.com/specialprojects/09/yah/20090326_supplement_help s_bones_grow_stronger.html

By BoneLady
Posted February 23, 2009 at 12:41 pm
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numberfour, Anyone who has had a fracture with no trauma or little trauma should have her vitamin D level tested even if she is taking a vitamin D supplement. The blood test is called a 25-hydroxy vitamin D or 25(OH)D. Your mom should have one.

By Gatekeeper
Posted February 17, 2009 at 10:46 pm
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Alli,

Not sure what Calcium 3A is? Or what the difference is between Calcium gluconate versus what I take, Calcium Citrate.

Currently I take Metabolic Maintenance's Rebuild, Osteoporosis Formula which contains: 400 IU of Vit. D3 (plus the 2,000 IU I take in a liquid) 100 mcg Vit. K, 1000 mg Calcium Citrate/Malate, 500 mg Magnesium, 15 mg Zinc, 5 mg Copper, 2.5 mg Manganese, and 2 mg Boron. Plus Cal/Mag 50/50 which is 500 mg each of Calcium & Magnesium. Total 8 pills I spread out thru the day. And that's just the tip of my supplement taking iceberg. ;-) ~ jan

By April995
Posted February 17, 2009 at 8:56 pm
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A note about Strontium citrate..

Just remembered, If you have any type of Kidney problems, Strontium might not be good to take.
Also its good to drink allot of water when you take it.

I have never been a water drinker, now I'm drinking more water. Its a good habit to get into.

April

By numberfour
Posted February 16, 2009 at 9:43 am
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I can see why you thought from what I said that my dad gave her the injection. [They did try the daily injections years ago, as well as the Boniva and Fosomax - over a matter of years - just finally stopped doing all that because of how hard it was on the body, and I think her tests did not show improvement anyway]. Actually, my dad made the decision to have the annual injection of Reclast given to her while she was in the hospital after a kyphoplasty surgery to help a fracture in her spine (her second in a matter of months). He didn't ask for it, the doctor "ordered" it. It just amazes me what doctors will "order" without thinking a patient or their family should research the pros and cons. It is the god complex of "I know what is best" which is more "I know what pharmaceuticals are out there and I don't care about any side effects". Sadly, several of the doctors my parents have come across also have treated my parents with little respect due to their age. My dad and sister have both witnessed this. Anyway, luckily, I guess, my dad and mom had discussed Reclast as an option with their primary care physician just a few days before - they were checking in to see if insurance would cover it - that is one reason my sisters and I were surprised that they just "gave" it to her, with what seemed like as much concern as giving her a glass of water. My dad did question the nurse for what it would do and any side effects, but from what I hear, she wasn't that helpful either - "This is the third time I've had to go over this today..." Pathetic.

I was *very* surprised the doctor ordered what could potentially be such a strong medication right after a surgery. He happens to be one of the worst of how a doctor has treated my parents. I think it did help that she was on IV because at least she was hydrated and I hear that is very important and some people who have side effects have said it may be because they weren't hydrated enough. I was very worried about the possible joint pain because she has had problems with her joints in the past and recently, as well. Her primary care physician had said to them, "This is really the only thing left". So, that was the feeling they also had. I had told my dad to give me a chance to research it, but it all happened so fast, and their immediate problem with my mom is all the fractures lately and how debilitating and painful that has been for her - not sleeping well, etc. - not able to heal. I don't think the doctor even took a blood test to check for calcium levels, which you are supposed to do, or if he told them to make sure she keeps up with the calcium and vitamin d. He might have I just haven't talked to my dad directly about this - just asked my sisters to check and I don't think they have. I am just skeptical about it. I made sure to tell my dad and sisters to keep up with the calcium and vitamin d and magnesium, but it concerns me if this doctor isn't treating his patients so that they get the most benefit from this injection. I will be checking with the hospital. Even though, I still question, does this treatment really help the bones in the long run?

I'm like you, though. I don't think the jury is out on these drugs and that women are just guinea pigs for a lot of this. Just another billion dollar industry to get the pharmaceuticals rich. On the other hand, I know that there are many necessary and good drugs made out there by the pharmaceutical companies, but with more research, I worry about this particular drug. I've seen sites compare this to Vioxx - just the fact that it isn't necessarily a safe drug and lots of people had trouble with it.

I was under the understanding that bioidenticals don't hold the same risks either. But I spoke with a doctor who does prescribe them and he said they do also still pose risks of heart problems. I think at that point, you do more research, talk to more doctors, ultimately make that decision for yourself, weighing the pros and cons. As you know from the osteoporosis, as well as other symptoms, our lack of hormones as we age also poses problems. Not an easy answer, but quality of life needs to come in there some where.

This doctor also said that for my mom he thought bioidenticals would not help. I had asked him about this to help her osteoporosis. He said the further away you are from menopause, the less these hormones will help for osteoporosis - his opinion. There is added risk of blood clots - that is a worry since she has high blood pressure and has had a few TIAs during all this other stuff she has been going through.

Good luck finding a few reputable doctors who deal with Bioidenticals to get some good advice. I had asked my primary care physician and they referred me to someone. I haven't seen her yet but have an appointment. The other doctor just happened to be someone in the area where my mom lives - he actually took the time to speak with me on the phone which I was shocked at that. He said, that ever since "The Oprah Show" did a couple of shows on bioidenticals, he has been bombarded - no surprise there. So, that impresses me more that he chose to speak with me. He obviously isn't against them since he prescribes them, but for my mom, he did not recommend. You are your own person with own history, so need to get several opinions for yourself, of course. Like I said, I am considering it for myself so we shall see.

I guess you asked your doctor for referrals. Done some searching on-line for doctors who prescribe bioidenticals in your area?

Good luck with this. I have heard good things about the strontium, too. So sounds like you are on the right track with treating yourself the best you can.

By April995
Posted February 15, 2009 at 10:56 pm
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Hi Number 4,
I tried one monthly Boniva and it made me sick. Never took it again.
As I have said here before. I think it might of been a blessing for me, from what I have been reading.

It seems all of the perscription drugs for Osteoporosis do the samething to your bones,
and there are some bad side effects. I don't think we really know the full out come of what those drugs will really do to us in the long run. There also pretty new on the market.
Although I have acouple of friends that there Scores have improved from Fosomax, and Actonel!

Do you mean your Father gave your Mother "Forteo", which is a shot everyday? Reclast is done by a medical professtional, and is a IV. I think every year, or every six months for two years.
After Forteo your suppose to continue with taking fosomax or one of those.
I think most women your mothers age have some Osteoporosis! I was told my bones are like a 80 year old.
I fell hard over my Husbands Ugg boots about 6 weeks ago, and it was amazing I didn't break a bone, thank goodness. He is now putting them where they belong.

Littlechill here has been taking Strontium citrate and her bone scans have improved.
I have faith from what I have read about strontium, and taking it at a different time then calcium, etc. is going to help me, and be healthier then taking drugs.
Strontium Ranelate has been aproved in Europe, and many other countries. There has been allot of research done. In the Usa we do not hear about it. I don't think our Pharmasiticals can make money off of Strontium, maybe that is why its not been approved in the Usa! Think its also a mineral .
You might want to see what www.google.com has to say about Strontium Citrate.

I started a natural menapause at 38 yrs old. I started taking hormones about 10 years later , cause my hot flashes where so bad. It did help, and I felt fine, but then came out all the controversay, and I stopped taking them. I took them for about 10 years with no side effects that I knew of!.
I'm now looking into Bio Identical hormones for my bones, which I feel does not have the bad side effects that have been found with Pharmacitical hormones.
I'm having a hard time finding a Dr. that knows about them, and can help me!

Sorry to hear about your Migraines.
Hope your feeling better, and let us know how you and your mother are doing.

April

By numberfour
Posted February 15, 2009 at 6:54 pm
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April995,

Oh, don't worry that you can't remember the amount or how strong it was. I take Imitrex once or twice a month for intense migraines that I am attributing to peri-menopause - I am 48. Because of other symptoms, I am going to investigate BHRT but I will weigh the benefits vs. the risks which I think can include higher risk for cancer and heart disease.

Wonderful that you do not get migraines anymore.

I have come across strontium on several websites so that will be in the back of my head for when I might need that. From what I have read, I don't want to take Boniva, Fosomax, etc. I take calcium, vitamin d, and magnesium right now, in addition to multi-vitamin, etc. I hope the strontium proves to be of some help to you when you have your next bone density test.

I actually found this website not for myself. I was doing research for my mom who is 84 and has osteoporosis and has had several fractures in last few months. The first one stemming from a fall (not her fault - she stepped in a hole in a lawn that should not have had these holes). She has tried to do all the right things - in her 60s doing HRT but got breast cancer. In her 70s doing Boniva, Fosimax, but as you can relate, difficult to handle. For her age, she has been pretty healthy, all things considered that doctors try to prescribe along the way. These last few months have been very difficult for her, though. I was looking for the "miracle cure" for her but don't think it is out there.

I was going to recommend the strontium but not sure how they feel about that being fairly new and not much research (I think). My dad did decide to give her the reclast injection - I was against it - from things I read that these things might add to brittle bones - hard to tell. I pray it was a good thing for her. I think she - so far - has come out of it without some of the bad side effects that I have read about.

By April995
Posted February 15, 2009 at 7:04 am
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Numberfour,
I took "Midrin" for the migraines, but its been a few years ago, and I do not rememeber the amount, or how strong it was!! I'm sorry that I can't help you there.
It was a eye Dr. that gave it to me, but yes, when I was in recovery from the heart attack, I started getting the visual magraine, and had my Son ask him for it.
I also do not get those migraines anymore.

My Cardio, told me, do not take any amount of Medrin again, which I have not. I have had allot of stress in the past couple of years, and so far, I'm fine.
I need to Meditate more, that really seems to help everything.

Take Care,
April

By numberfour
Posted February 14, 2009 at 10:31 am
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April,

I was wondering what drug you asked the doctor in the hospital for your migraine. I take medication for monthly migraines so was curious what you took and at what dose and how often your doctor had prescribed since the hospital doctor said it had constricted your arteries and led to your heart attack. Thanks so much.

By April995
Posted February 1, 2009 at 12:06 am
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Hi Nobonesaboutit,

Wow I didn't know that having stents clotted like that! Hope you have a fast recovery, and this does not happen to you again.

April

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