Strontium Carbonate Products

Strontium citrate is more readily absorbed than strontium carbonate, just as calcium citrate is more readily absorbed than calcium carbonate. If you eat food when you take calcium carbonate, you can get around the absorption problem, but, for best absorption, strontium should be taken on an empty stomach. You must not take food, supplements, or antacids containing calcium or magnesium within two hours of taking strontium because calcium and magnesium compete for absorption with strontium. For best absorption, strontium should be taken on an empty stomach.

Some people cannot take citrate products due to digestive problems. They may be interested in one of the following two strontium carbonate products. 

1.  

 BioStrong Strontium Piperine contains 680 mg strontium (as strontium carbonate) and BioPiperine (black pepper extract) in two tablets. Piperine improves absorption.

http://www.healthconcernsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/BioStrong.pdf

https://www.pureformulas.com/biostrong-90-tablets-by-health-concerns.html

2.      OsteoValin by Basic Research contains 400 IU vitamin D, 80 mcg vitamin K, and 1012 mg Osteoval Carbonate Forte Proprietary Blend of strontium carbonate, Quercetin, and Hesperidin in one capsule. NEVER EXCEED 1 CAPSULE PER DAY.

Quercetin and Hesperidin are flavonoids. Flavonoids are generally considered beneficial anti-oxidants, but there is some controversy about Quercetin. An FDA study on rats found Quercetin to be mutagenic. Other studies indicate it works to prevent cancer. Quercetin is also an anti-histamine and an anti-inflammatory. I found a website with references and a balanced discussion on the pros and cons of Quercetin at http://www.diet-and-health.net/Supplements/Quercetin.html.

Hesperidin is a flavonoid found in citrus fruits. It is part of vitamin P. As a powerful anti-oxidant, it has many benefits from retarding the aging process to helping the body detoxify carcinogens.

I am not aware of any specific benefit to bones for either Quercetin or Hesperidin.

http://www.i-supplements.com/osteovalin.html

http://www.osteovalin.org/

 https://www.ghpnutrition.com/basic-research-osteovalin-eu4180007.html

Should You Stop Taking Strontium and/or Calcium Before a Scan?

You should stop taking calcium and strontium supplements 24-48 hours prior to your bone density test. Calcium and strontium are very dense materials. If they do not dissolve, they could be seen in the intestines that cross over the area of the spine being measured and could affect the spine BMD results. Most calcium supplements (e.g. calcium citrate) will dissolve well, but others (e.g. calcium carbonate) may take longer to dissolve completely.

Here are two references that mention calcium and DXA scans. I don’t have a reference for strontium, but the same would hold true for it since it is even denser than calcium.

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/orthopaedic/bo ne_densitometry_92,P07664/ See: “Before the procedure.” This article says, “…you may be advised to stop taking calcium supplements 24-48 hours prior to your bone density test.” Apparently, some testing centers provide this advice, but mine did not.  

Two days before my last DXA scan, I stopped taking my calcium/magnesium supplement, my strontium citrate, and my multivitamin. Don't forget that your multivitamin contains calcium, and it is usually calcium carbonate.

http://www.mmc.org/mmp_endodiabetes.cfm?id=5562 See: “Why can’t I take calcium before the test?” This article says, “These days most calcium supplements will dissolve well but you should notify the technologist if you took calcium so she can see whether it appears in the spine scan.” I say that it is better to avoid the problem altogether and not have to have a repeat DXA scan.

Calcium Polycarbophil, Strontium & Other Meds

I am writing this post because of a mistake I recently made. I want to prevent others from doing the same. I have repeatedly written that, because products containing calcium may prevent your body from absorbing your strontium, you should not take products containing calcium within two hours before or after taking strontium. Yet, recently, I began taking calcium polycarbophil at night, with my simvastatin (statin drug for lowering cholesterol levels), followed an hour later by my strontium citrate. A week or two later, I realized I may have reduced the effectiveness of both the simvastatin and the strontium citrate.

I knew there was calcium in the polycarbophil laxative, but I simply forgot while trying to juggle all my over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, and supplements.  I also knew that laxatives can make it harder for your body to absorb other medicines. Therefore, you should avoid taking polycarbophil within two hours before or after you take any other medications.

Calcium polycarbophil is used to treat constipation. It is known as a bulk-forming laxative. Brand Names include: Equalactin, Fiber Lax, FiberCon, Fiberlax, Fibernorm, Konsyl Fiber, Perdiem Fiber Caplet.

I’ve been using Publix Fiber Caplets, which contain 625 mg calcium polycarbophil (active ingredient) per caplet. The list of inactive ingredients includes calcium carbonate. Each caplet contains 125 mg calcium, and the normal dose is two caplets up to four times a day. My one dose once a day contains 250 mg calcium.  FiberCon has 244 milligrams of calcium per two-caplet dose.