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

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Is Bone Loss Due to Weight Loss Regained?



Short-term weight loss is accompanied by bone loss in postmenopausal women. The longer-term impact of weight loss on bone in reduced overweight/obese women compared with women who regained their weight was examined in this study using a case-control design. Forty-two postmenopausal women were recruited two years after the start of a six-month weight loss trial. The 22 women who maintained their weight (weight loss maintainer [WL-M] group) were matched to a cohort of 20 women who regained their weight (weight loss regainer [WL-R] group).

Bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck, trochanter, spine, radius, and total body, and soft-tissue composition were taken at baseline, 0.5 years, and two years. After two years, both groups lost BMD at the femoral neck and trochanter , whereas only the WL-M group reduced BMD at the 1/3 radius. There was greater BMD loss at the trochanter and 1/3 radius in the WL-M group compared with the WL-R group after two years.

The study concluded that, after two years, there is no recovery of bone loss induced by weight reduction, irrespective of weight regain. Weight regain does not result in recovery of bone, but it prevents greater loss at the trochanter and 1/3 radius compared with reduced-obese women. These data suggest that the period after weight loss may be an important point in time to prevent bone loss for those who maintain weight and those who regain weight.

This information is taken from a much longer article, Does Bone Loss Begin After Weight Loss Ends?


Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Lifestyle Risk Factors for Osteoporosis



What you can change!
These are modifiable risk factors which primarily arise because of
diet or lifestyle choices.

15.Do you regularly drink alcohol in excess of safe drinking
limits (more than 2 units a day)?

A unit of alcohol is equivalent to 10 ml (or approximately
8 grams) of pure ethanol, the active chemical ingredient
in alcoholic beverages. Excessive alcohol consumption
increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

One unit of beer or cider (4% alcohol) is 250 ml/8.75 oz.
One unit of wine (12.5% alcohol) is 80 ml/2.80 oz.
One unit of spirits (40% alcohol) is 25 ml/0.88 oz.

16.Do you currently, or have you ever, smoked cigarettes?

17.Is your daily level of physical activity less than 30
minutes per day (housework, gardening, walking,
running etc.)?

18. Do you avoid, or are you allergic to milk or dairy
products, without taking any calcium supplements?

19.Do you spend less than 10 minutes per day outdoors
(with part of your body exposed to sunlight), without
taking vitamin D supplements?

Note: See previous blog post: Non-modifiable Risk Factors 
for Osteoporosis

Understanding Your Answers:

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions (1 -19) it does not
mean that you have osteoporosis. Positive answers simply
mean that you have clinically-proven risk factors which may
lead to osteoporosis and fractures.

Please show this risk test to your doctor who may encourage
you to take a FRAX® risk assessment (available at
www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX/) and/or have a bone mineral density
(BMD) test. In addition your doctor will advise on what
treatment, if any, is recommended.


Non-modifiable Risk Factors for Osteoporosis



What you cannot change!
These are risk factors that one is born with or cannot alter. (Question 7
could arguably be placed under lifestyle risk factors that can be changed.)
Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of risk factors you cannot
change so that steps can be taken to reduce loss of bone mineral.


1. Have either of your parents been diagnosed with
osteoporosis or broken a bone after a minor fall (a fall
from standing height or less)?

2.Did either of your parents have a stooped back
(dowager’s hump)?

3.Are you 40 years old or older?

4.Have you ever broken a bone after a minor fall, as an
adult?

5.Do you fall frequently (more than once in the last year)
or do you have a fear of falling because you are frail?

6.After the age of 40, have you lost more than 3 cm in
height (just over 1 inch)?

7.Are you underweight (is your Body Mass Index less than
19 kg/m2)?

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure based on height and
weight that applies to both adult men and women.
BMI Categories:
Underweight = below 18.5
Normal weight = 18.5 – 24.9
Overweight = 25 – 29.9
Obesity = 30 or greater
Imperial BMI Formula
Metric BMI Formula

BMI = weight in pounds X 703/height in inches2

BMI = weight in kilograms/height in meters2


8.Have you ever taken corticosteroid tablets (cortisone,
prednisone, etc.) for more than 3 consecutive months
(corticosteroids are often prescribed for conditions like
asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and some inflammatory
diseases)?

9.Have you ever been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis?

10.Have you been diagnosed with an over-active thyroid, over-
active parathyroid glands, type 1 diabetes or a nutritional/
gastrointestinal disorder such as Crohn’s or celiac disease?

For Women:

11.For women over 45: Did your menopause occur before
the age of 45?

12.Have your periods ever stopped for 12 consecutive
months or more (other than because of pregnancy,
menopause or hysterectomy)?

13.Were your ovaries removed before age 50, without you
taking Hormone Replacement Therapy?

For Men:

14.Have you ever suffered from impotence, lack of libido or
other symptoms related to low testosterone levels?


 Note: See next blog post: Lifestyle Risk Factors. 






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.