Skeleton Pirate

Skeleton Pirate
Artist: LindaB

WELCOME TO STRONTIUM FOR BONES BLOG

Have you experienced negative, and even dangerous, side effects from Fosamax (alendronate), Boniva (ibandronate), Actonel (risedronate), Reclast (zoledronic acid), Prolia (denosumab), Forteo (teriparatide), Tymlos (abaloparatide), or other drugs prescribed for osteoporosis? If you have, then rest assured there is a safe, effective treatment for this condition. Strontium, primarily in the form of strontium citrate, is taken orally once a day.

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Browse the posts and visit the link library of references.






Blog Archive

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Dieters Risk Bone Loss

"What happens to bones during weight loss?" " It depends on how you lose the weight. A study conducted at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis monitored two groups of people who lost a little more than one pound per month for a year. Half of them lost the weight by eating fewer calories, and the other half lost by increasing their physical activity. Despite the gradual rate of weight loss, the dieters lost bone mineral density from their spines and hips. The exercisers lost weight but not bone mass." For more on this subject, see http://archives.starbulletin.com/2008/03/08/features/health.html.

Not All Strontium Supplements Are The Same

Be careful about the strontium supplement you choose. They are not all the same. The optimum dose is 680 mg elemental strontium daily. One study 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. The information from the study came from
http://www.starbulletin.com/specialprojects/09/yah/20090326_supplement_helps_bones_grow_stronger.html

Friday, March 6, 2009

Blood and Urine Calcium

Strontium interferes with colorimetric methods for the determination of blood and urinary calcium concentrations. Therefore, in medical practice, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry or atomic absorption spectrometry methods should be used to ensure an accurate assessment of blood and urinary calcium concentrations. These guidelines are included in the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC), which contains information about UK licensed medicines:
http://emc.medicines.org.uk/document.aspx?documentID=15410

Adjustments To BMD Unnecessary With Strontium Therapy

Per Servier, the manufacturer of Protelos (strontium ranelate), their product increases BMD and decreases the risk of vertebral fracture. They also state on their website at www.servier.com, that doctors do not need to adjust BMD measurements in individual patients:

How much does Protelos increase BMD?

"The increase in BMD with Protelos is superior to that of other treatments. It is proven that Protelos is effective against vertebral and hip fractures, and a correlation up to 74% has been established between the increase in BMD with Protelos and vertebral fracture risk reduction, therefore it is not necessary to adjust BMD for each patient. This serves as a tool to measure compliance (allowing you to confirm that your patient is taking treatment) and a marker of clinical efficacy (for motivating them to continue taking treatment)."

In practice do I have to adjust BMD measurements in individual patients?

"No, it is not necessary to adjust BMD for each patient because each increase in BMD is highly correlated (up to 74%) with the decrease in the risk of sustaining a vertebral fracture. In other words with Protelos, the more the increase of BMD in your patient, the more your patient is protected from fracture. Moreover, BMD is a useful monitoring tool to confirm the compliance of your patient."

Monday, March 2, 2009

Strontium Citrate Clinical Trial

UC Davis Study to Prevent Osteoporosis with Dietary Supplement Begins Recruitment
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/newsroom/newsdetail.html?key=1985

February 26, 2009(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — Osteoporosis affects many women and can cause painful, disabling and even life-threatening fractures. Researchers from the UC Davis Department of Internal Medicine are seeking a simple, inexpensive way to prevent the disease.

Strontium citrate is a widely available, over-the-counter dietary supplement promoted to “improve bone health.” Strontium is a natural element found in bone in all people. Strontium citrate is another form of strontium ranelate, a proven medication prescribed across Europe and Australia to treat and prevent osteoporosis and related fractures. Unlike pharmaceuticals, strontium citrate is not a prescribed medication and is inexpensive.

The UC Davis researchers are trying to demonstrate that a nutraceutical, which women can buy without seeing a doctor or paying a drug company, can be used to improve bone health.
The researchers are seeking post-menopausal women who are at least one year but less than five years past their last menstrual period. Participation in the study will include a screening visit with blood draw at UC Davis Medical Center, followed by a blood draw and free DEXA scan at the Veterans Administration Northern California Health Care Center.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will take strontium citrate plus calcium and vitamin D for three months, while the other group will take a placebo plus calcium and vitamin D for three months.

During the three-month period, participants will visit UC Davis Medical Center three times for short questionnaires and blood draws. DEXA scans and test results can be provided to participants.For more information or to schedule a screening visit, contact Stephanie Burns, study coordinator, at (530) 754-7576 or (916) 734-5562 or scope@phs.ucdavis.edu.

Wandering Skeleton

Wandering Skeleton
Artist: Joel Hoekstra

Osteoporotic Bone

Osteoporotic Bone
Source: www.mayoclinic.com

How Strontium Builds Bones

Strontium is a mineral that tends to accumulate in bone. Studies have shown that oral doses of strontium are a safe and effective way to prevent and reverse osteoporosis. Doses of 680 mg per day appear to be optimal. See my "For More Information About Strontium" links section.

Osteoporosis is caused by changes in bone production. In healthy young bones there is a constant cycle of new bone growth and bone removal. With age, more bone is removed and less new bone is produced. The bones become less dense and thus more fragile.

Scientists believe that strontium works in two ways. It may stimulate the replication of pre-osteoblasts, leading to an increase in osteoblasts (cells that build bone). Strontium also directly inhibits the activity of osteoclasts (cells that break down bone). The result is stronger bones.

When taking strontium, be sure to take 1200 mg calcium, 1000 IU vitamin D3, and 500 mg magnesium daily. It is best to take strontium late at night on an empty stomach. Calcium and strontium may compete with each other for absorption if taken together.