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strontium ranelate v strontium citrate

Dandelion
0 Recommendations

Does anyone know if strontium citrate is safer to take than strontium ranelate? I'm just wondering if strontium citrate ingested is more similar to the way that it is ingested naturally. I understand that the research was based on an area of Scotland where there is a higher concentration of strontium in the soil and that the people there have absorbed it through their diets or something like that. I might be completely wrong about this. I was also wondering, because of its name, whether there was any information regarding any increased risk of cancer with this drug and whether the original research into strontium and bone strength considered this aspect if it was necessary. I am not a chemist so everything that I've raised is completely a layperson's thoughts.

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Heart disease Cancer Arthritis Boniva Forteo Confusion Fractures Alendronate Fosamax Osteopenia Dialysis Constipation Actonel Osteomalacia Osteoporosis Evista

48 replies

BoneLady

FreeStar,

Because there have been no studies on combining Fosamax with strontium, it is not known whether or not this combination would be safe and effective in treating osteoporosis. You could periodically check the following website for new clinical trials:
www.clinicaltrials.gov/

FreeStar

I am wondering.... BoneLady. What might happen if one takes fasomax AND strontium? Are there any thoughts/studies on that? Or would that be simple overkill?

BoneLady

FreeStar,

Correction: The three-year strontium ranelate study of 1649 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and at least one vertebral fracture is known as the SOTI study, not the STRATOS study.

BoneLady

FreeStar,

If your T-scores (site not specified) improved from -3.5 to -2.8 in a year and a half, your present course of action taking Fosamax, calcium citrate, vitamin D, and water-soluble collagen has worked quite well! All elements of your strategy, except for collagen, are known to increase BMD. Water-soluble collagen may or may not have helped.

You may want to reconsider changing your present strategy because it is working. That said, I will answer your question about average improvements with strontium.

Research indicates that over three years, strontium can improve bone mineral density by 8-14%, depending on the site. These findings come from three studies on strontium ranelate (Stratos trials in 2002 and 2004 and Tropos study in 2005). One study on strontium malonate (Strong study, Phase II in 2007) showed a 2.66% increase in BMD at the lumbar spine after just three months. The University of California at Davis (UCD) is conducting a three-month clinical trial on strontium citrate, but the results may not be available before May, 2010.

The first Stratos trial (2002) of strontium ranelate determined that 680 mg strontium was the optimum dose. It was followed by a much larger study (Stratos trial, 2004) of 1,649 osteoporotic postmenopausal women over a three-year period. Participants that received 680 mg of strontium daily, along with calcium and vitamin D supplements, increased lumbar bone mineral density by an average of 14.4% and femoral neck BMD an average of 8.3%.

The Tropos study in 2005 focused on non-vertebral fractures in more than 5,000 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. After five years, this double-blind, placebo-controlled study found an 8.2% improvement in the femoral neck and a 9.8% improvement in the total hip bone density.

In 2007, Osteologix, Inc. announced the results of its phase II clinical trial (Strong study) involving 289 postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density. The company reported that after three months, a 680 mg dose of strontium malonate increased lumbar spine BMD by 2.66%.

FreeStar

Thank you BoneLady, especially for letting me know the proper dosage. I have high hopes that I can reverse my bone loss. One broken hip at an early age is more than enough for me. I am ordering Dr's Best today and will let everyone know what it has done for me when I get my next bone scan come spring time.

I'll be very happy to get this artificial chemical junk (fosomax) out of my system.

Does anyone know what kind of improvements are average with strontium? I worked myself up from -3.5 to -2.8 already in less than 1 1/2 years. Taking water soluable colagen (in addition to fosomax, citric calcium and Vitamin D) seems to have helped with that.

BoneLady

Hello! FreeStar,

If you want to stop taking Fosamax and start taking strontium, as you stated, all you need to do is stop the Fosamax now and you can start the strontium immediately. There is no required waiting period, if that is what you are asking.

When I stopped taking Fosamax once weekly, I waited a month before starting on strontium citrate, but that was because I was having symptoms from Fosamax. I did not want to start taking anything new until I felt well enough so that I would not confuse lingering side effects from Fosamax with any possible new side effects from strontium. I was lucky and actually felt much better after just one or two weeks off Fosamax, but I still waited a full month. My only symptoms on strontium were mild constipation and very mild nausea, both of which disappeared when I increased my fiber intake.

I take Doctor's Best Strontium Bone Maker, which has 680 mg elemental strontium from 2194 mg strontium citrate in two capsules, the recommended daily dose.

I hope this answers your question. Good luck!

FreeStar

I have severe osteoporosis, which has improved by adding water soluble collagen supplements. My question is... When do I stop the fosomax I am now taking if I start on the strontium?

I really hate taking any meds, making fosomax the only one I currently HAVE to take because I had not found anything to replace it with. I am now hoping that I can replace this one with strontium.

Lokamaya

The MD in the USA who probably has the most experience treating osteoporosis with strontium citrate and all the nutritional protocol is Jonathan Wright. The Strontium vs. Forteo article on his web site is informative--- http://tahomaclinic.com/strontium.shtml

I wrote to his clinic about his current recommendations for strontium citrate. He does not require it to be taken on an empty stomach, but it can be taken with food and separately from calcium supplements. He now has his own two part bone building formulas which separate the calcium from the strontium citrate. They are made by Kordial/Progressive Labs. The daily dose of strontium is 500mg.

BoneLady

Hi! esuewb,

Yes, "strontium--as strontium citrate: 680 mg" means one serving contains 680 mg elemental strontium. That is the recommended daily dosage of strontium. Just be sure to note on the label how many capsules equals one serving. For example, I take the brand Doctor's Best Strontium Bone Maker, and one serving (680 mg strontium) is two capsules.

esuewb

Hi Bone-lady,

I had posted the recommended st citrate question last night but can't find it now (new to this forum and haven't figured out how to find certain posts).

based on what you said above

" 2 grams (2000 mg) of the strontium salt, which equals 680 mg of elemental strontium. That is the recommended dosage based on clinical studies. It is the elemental form that works on the bones. "

that goes along with what I have read. My gynb approved my trying the st-cit for 2 years for my osteopenia and while she was getting her info from the studies I gave her she recommended therefore 1700 mg of strontium citrate.

I got mine from vitacost.com , started it and then stopped after two days because I want to be absolutely sure about this 680 vs 1700 confusion. so turned to here !

my question for you is the term "elemental strontium " How do I determine that.

here is what my bottle says:
"strontium- as strontium citrate : 680 mg"

is that elemental strontium ??? and therefore all I should be taking per day. ??? I am aware of the calcium / D/ magnisium requirements and have that covered, and I take the strontium in the middle of the night to simplify interaction issues.

thanks for your attention to this question.

hopefully I can find this again. ;-)

Sue

lilrayosun

There's also this article. Forgive me if this has already been posted somewhere.

This article covers studies done in 1959, 1979, 1985 and 2002 all on strontium carbonate, lactate and gluconate, not the big pharma brands. All versions of the strontium showed significant improvements in bone density. So they know it was the strontium that was the active ingredient. Pretty impressive.

http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/Strontium.htm

I'm as cynical as an earlier commenter. Once Osteologix gets their drug approved here, I wonder how long it will be before you can't buy the supplements over the counter anymore.

Should that happen, I'll be picketing in the streets!

Yours in bony activism,
Raye

esuewb

I'm new to this discussion group so I hope this is the place to post this question. (if not, please advise where).

the question I have is the dosage for strontium citrate. I know it's sold at 680 mg and most seem to be talking about taking that as the recommended dose.

From the readings I've been doing of studies, the dose used way 1.7 grams (= 1700 mg).

I honestly don't care how much I take and just want to know which is the proper amount. 680 is considerably less than the 1700.

Anyone have any knowledgeable info on this beyond what the selling sites say ?

esuewb

I've just started strontium citrate with my gyn's approval (PCP wanted me to go the prescription route!). I've ended up finding the least hassle with interfering with the calcium (1200 mg day, divided in two takings because I read that the body cannot absorb more than 600mg calcium at one time) and my liking to eat a little something and drink milk before bed, was to take it in the night when I wake up to go to the bathroom ! ;-). painless and easy way for me to solve the not mixing with other things problem.

BoneLady

Hi! Triena,

What reason did your pharmacist give for
advising you to take your calcium and magnesium supplements separately?

I take one of the cal-mag tablets for supplementation; it provides a 2:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium. I get the rest from food.

BoneLady

rmchavin,

I am aware that Osteologix is a penny stock. They post their stock price on their website. This is how many biotech firms start out. If they are lucky enough to develop a new drug that is potentially a money maker, they usually get bought out by a large pharmaceutical company. Osteologix has made it clear that they need backers with money to bring strontium malonate to market once they obtain all the patents, complete Phase III clinical trials, and get final FDA approval.

I looked at your profile, and saw that you are a fan of the choral group, Libera. I had not heard of them, but checked them out on your first link and on Youtube. The young boys have truly beautiful voices. I've always liked Sarah McLachlan and took some time to listen to "In the Arms of an Angel" and some of her other music.

SusanRae

Hey Folks ~

It was I who said to take calcium separate from your iron. My doctor gave me these instructions when I had extremely low iron levels.

Here's what Nature Made says about taking calcium with various in combination with iron, etc.

http://www.naturemade.com/WellnessProfiles/wp_faq.asp?tab=Articles&section= 1&mktgid=12

To paraphrase, you only need to worry about it when your iron levels are low, as mine were. If you're normal, no problem.

GGG

Strontium ranelate is prescribed in canada and europe under the name Protelos. My doctor told me that ranelate is helpful in the treatment of osteo...whereas s. citrate is not.

Triena

Hi all, my pharmacist recommended taking calcium hydroxyapatite (265 mg elemental calcium) SEPARATELY from magnesium glycinate (200mg elemental magnesium). As I get calcium from my Osteoprime Plus tablets, as well as my diet, I haven't been taking the calcium hydroxyapatite (it's quite expensive) but I have been keeping my magnesium intake separate from my calcium intake (despite the Cal-Mag tablets frequently sold). I take my strontium citrate in the middle of the night, as I usually get up then. I take 2000 of Vitamin D (and I take Vit. B complex, vit. C, vit. E, Omega 3, oh yeah, love those vitamins!) daily. No ill effects from anything; gave up on didrocal, fosamax and actonel. Anyone else heard advice to take Calcium and magnesium separately?

BoneLady

Hi! Betsy2,

I began two discussions at NOF on May 28, 2009, titled "Update on Strontium Malonate" and "Update on Strontium Citrate Clinical Trial." If you search for these two topics, you will find information on each. I plan to update as new data become available.

The UC Davis information on their strontium citrate clinical trial has not been updated on their site since 02/26/09, but here is the link:

http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/newsroom/newsdetail.html?key=1985

A UC Davis spokesperson told me they would be recruiting and enrolling through the end of 2009 and would not have results till around May, 2010.

The link for Osteologix is www.osteologix.com. The company posts the latest info on their strontium malonate research there.

Best of luck to you.

BoneLady

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