Bone Quality

Bone strength is determined by several properties, especially bone mass, which is measured using ionizing radiation (DEXA scan). Another technique used to evaluate bone strength uses ultrasound waves to describe two other properties of bone that are also related to bone strength: elasticity and structure. As the ultrasound wave passes through the heel bone (os calcis), the wave is altered. The way in which the ultrasound wave is altered describes the elasticity and structure of the bone. These two properties are combined into the term “Stiffness Index”. Studies have shown that Stiffness Index is related to bone density, making it a good indicator of bone strength.

U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM)

I have asked the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) to add strontium citrate to their list of alternative therapies for osteoporosis. To contact the agency, use http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/osteoporosis.html.

Heel Ultrasound Predicts Osteoporosis Risk

News from the RSNA Journal Radiology
June 24, 2008
Simple Ultrasound Exam May Predict Osteoporosis Risk At A Glance


An ultrasound exam of the heel may be able to predict if a woman is at heightened risk for fractures due to osteoporosis, according to a new multicenter study being published in the July issue of the journal Radiology. Along with certain risk factors, including age or recent fall, radiation-free ultrasound of the heel may be used to better select women who need further bone density testing, such as a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) exam.

In the three-year multicenter study, 6,174 women age 70 to 85 with no previous formal diagnosis of osteoporosis were screened with heel-bone quantitative ultrasound (QUS), a diagnostic test used to assess bone density. QUS was used to calculate the stiffness index, which is an indicator of bone strength, at the heel. Researchers added in risk factors such as age, history of fractures or a recent fall to the results of the heel-bone ultrasound to develop a predictive rule to estimate the risk of fractures.

In the group of higher risk women, 290 (6.1 percent) developed fractures whereas only 27 (1.8 percent) of the women in the lower risk group developed fractures. Among the 66 women who developed a hip fracture, 60 (90 percent) were in the higher risk group.

The results show that heel QUS is not only effective at identifying high-risk patients who should receive further testing, but also may be helpful in identifying patients for whom further testing can be avoided.

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Petition FDA To Add Strontium Citrate

I have just asked the FDA to consider adding strontium citrate to their Medline supplement index, which is a list of approved supplements. If you would like to email the FDA, click here: http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qa-top.html

Effect Of Strontium on DEXA Scan

The presence of strontium in bone influences bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) measurements by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). DEXA scans are usually read based on calcium as the main component of bone. Since strontium is heavier than calcium, its presence in bone will change the results of the scan.

When you go for your next DEXA scan, be sure to inform the radiologist, in writing, about your daily dose of strontium and how long you have been taking it. He can make a correction, or at least note on your results, that you have been taking strontium. Without an adjustment in the interpretation, BMD can be read as artificially high. You might be wise to give the clinician a copy of "Strontium DEXA Scan Effect," which you can print out at www.osteopenia3.com/Strontium-dexa-scan.html.

Strontium Malonate

Osteologix, Inc., a specialty biopharmaceutical company headquartered in San Francisco, CA, announced in May, 2008, that the FDA has accepted its investigational new drug (IND) application for NB S101 (strontium malonate) to treat and prevent osteoporosis. See links to three articles on this topic at the end of this blog.

Men And Young Women With Osteoporosis

Mention osteoporosis to most people and they automatically think of women, especially older women, but men and young women can also have brittle bones. According to Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld's article in Parade (May 18, 2008, page 8), two million men is the U.S.A. have the disease, and 12 million more are at risk. I haven't found statistics for young women, but I have read blog posts from several women in their 20's and 30's with osteoporosis.



Causes include:

• Steroids taken to treat asthma or arthritis


• Long-term use of antacids containing aluminum


• Low levels of sex hormones (Hysterectemies in women can cause this.)


• Too much thyroid hormone


• Smoking


• Excessive alcohol consumption


• Lack of exercise


• Inadequate dietary calcium


• Heredity


• Lactation (Nursing mothers lose calcium.)

Why I No Longer Take Fosamax

I took Fosamax 70 mg once weekly for seven months before getting off due to intolerable side effects beginning after four months. The worst problems were vertigo and dizziness, which came on suddenly. I woke up one morning and when I tried to get out of bed, I felt like I was falling. I had to call my husband to assist me to the bathroom. Although these symptoms became less severe, I never regained my equilibrium while on Fosamax and was unable to exercise on the floor due to vertigo when I lay flat. I also experienced heart palpitations,extreme coldness, and general malaise about two hours after taking my weekly dose. I now wonder if I was having atrial fibrillation, another serious side effect of Fosamax. I am so glad I got off it!

I gave my body a month to clear out the drug and then I began taking strontium citrate 680 mg once daily. I feel well again and began this blog to relate my progress and get comments from others.

Availability Of Protelos In U.S.

Is your company seeking approval of Protelos (strontium ranelate)for osteoporosis in the United States of America? If so, at what stage in the process is it?

BoneLady

Thank you for your interest for Protelos. Protelos is registered in 84 countries worldwide but has not yet been filed to the FDA and thus, for the time being, it is not possible to give you any indication on availability date in the USA.

Sincerely,

M. Rebuffé-Scrive
Scientific Director Servier International Canada, USA, Northern, Central & Eastern Europe

Alternative Medicine For Osteoporosis

Strontium citrate is an excellent alternative medicine for osteoporosis treatment. Instead of poisoning your body with drugs such as Fosamax, take strontium, a naturally occurring mineral present in water, food, and the human skeleton in trace amounts. Studies show that strontium promotes bone formation and decreases bone resorption (loss), leading to higher bone density.

Strontium And Arthritis

Did you know that there is some evidence that strontium may improve cartilage metabolism in osteoarthritis? An in vitro study performed by the Bone and Cartilage Metabolism Research Unit, University Hospital, Liege, Belgium, suggests strontium promotes cartilage growth. Clinical testing is needed in this area. For more information on this subject, go to Strontium For Osteoporosis and Arthritis in my links section.

Comments And Suggestions

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Strontium For Osteoporosis

I took Fosamax 70 mg once weekly for seven months until I could no longer tolerate the side effects. I waited a month before starting a regimen of strontium citrate 680 mg once daily. Please comment with your experiences taking strontium or if you would like more information about it.