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

Friday, July 22, 2011

Strontium Ranelate And Risk Of Vertebral Fractures In Frail Osteoporotic Women

Data were obtained from the SOTI (Spinal Osteoporosis Therapeutic Intervention) and TROPOS (Treatment Of Peripheral Osteoporosis) studies which randomized participants to receive either strontium ranelate or placebo over three years. The study identified 2346 robust, 2472 intermediate and 264 frail women. At three years, the risk for vertebral fractures was reduced by 30% in the robust, by 45% in the intermediate, and by 58% in the frail patients compared to those assigned to placebo. Risk of vertebral fracture was reduced within one year in all three groups.
This study was published by Rolland Y, Van Kan GA, Gillette-Guyonnet S, Roux C, Boonen S, and Vellas B in Bone 2011;48:332-8.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

The Effect Of Bone Strontium On BMD Differs For Different DXA Equipment

Osteoporotic patients treated with strontium ranelate show relatively large increases in bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) due to the replacement of some of the calcium atoms in bone by strontium. A study by Pors Nielsen and colleagues reported that replacement of 1% of calcium atoms by strontium causes a 10% increase in BMD. The ratio of the percentage increase in BMD to the molar percentage of strontium in bone is referred to as the strontium ratio. Theoretically it is expected that the strontium ratio should vary between different manufacturers' DXA equipment depending on the effective photon energy of the device.

In this study the researchers reported theoretical estimates of the strontium ratio for two axial DXA systems and two peripheral DXA devices based on their broad spectrum X-ray emission. The theoretical figures were verified in an experimental study in which the strontium ratio for each device was measured using phantoms containing mixtures of hydroxyapatite and strontium hydrogen-phosphate. The theoretical values of the strontium ratio were 11.0 for the Hologic Discovery, 9.9 for the GE-Lunar Prodigy, 9.1 for the Demetech Calscan, and 8.5 for the Osteometer Dexacare G4. Experimental results were 11.2 for the Discovery, 9.9 for the Prodigy, 8.6 for the Calscan and 6.3 for the Dexacare G4. The results confirm that the effect of bone strontium on BMD measurements is different for different DXA systems. In the future it might be possible to exploit this effect to make a non-invasive estimate of average bone strontium content in groups of patients receiving strontium medication for osteoporosis.


Liao J, Blake GM, McGregor AH, Patel R. Bone. 2010 Nov; 47(5):882-7. Epub 2010 Aug 10

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20699129

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.