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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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.

8 comments:

beachin4ever said...

I am almost out of my Strontium Citrate. I ordered it through Vitacost. I am concerned about shipping in the summer heat. Will the Strontium degrade in the heat?
Also,I have been taking two 680 mg tablets each night.Do I just need one? I do eat a snack an hour or so before bedtime so my stomach is not totally empty. My snack often includes ice cream, but that is hopefully not enough calcium to greatly effect my absorption of the Strontium. 2 main questions..can I order in the summer and should I cut to 680 mg? Thanks for your blog!!

BoneLady said...

beachin4ever,

Strontium citrate and other strontium salts will not degrade in the heat during shipping. I live in Florida, where the heat is brutal, and I order strontium online throughout the year.

I do not know which brand you are using. I take Doctor's Best Strontium Bone Maker. It contains 680 mg strontium in two capsules, so each capsule contains 340 mg strontium. Check your label carefully for dosage information. The recommended dosage is 680 mg elemental strontium.

Strontium is best taken on an empty stomach, defined as two hours after eating. You want to absorb as much of the strontium as possible, so give yourself more time between eating your snack and taking your strontium. This is especially true if you eat calcium-rich foods such as icecream.

Anonymous said...

If you are taking the Vitacost Stontium Citrate, 2 capsules contain a total of 680 mg. One capsule contains 340 mg. The recommended dose is 2 capsules/day (680 mg).

BoneLady said...

Anonymous poster of 8/1/11:

Thank you for trying to answer a question posed by beachin4ever. However, you are confusing a website (www.vitacost.com) with a brand of strontium citrate. Vitacost sells several brands, including NSI Strontium, Doctor's Best Strontium Bone Maker,and Nature's Life Strontium. These three brands provide 680 mg strontium in two capsules, the recommended daily dosage. Vitacost also carries Solaray BioCitrate Strontium, which contains 250 mg strontium in one capsule. A person could take two capsules for 500 mg or three capsules for 750 mg. Vitacost also carries strontium supplements combined with vitamins and minerals, including calcium. These combination products should not be used because strontium should be taken on an empty stomach away from calcium, magnesium and food for best absorption.

KerryKurious said...

Is there any data on how the strontium really works? I heard from some doctors that since it's a heavy metal, the bone density will still increase and that they're not really sure whether the bone-making cells are really affected. Do you have any more information about this so I can make the best decision please? Thank you!

BoneLady said...

KerryKurious,

Strontium is not a heavy metal, a term with contradictory definitions and lacking a coherent scientific basis. Strontium (Sr) is an alkaline earth metal in period 2 of the periodic table of the chemical elements, along with beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), barium (Ba) and radium (Ra). The following information was posted on my blog two years ago and is still here if you scroll back to archival data:

Improvement Of Bone Microarchitecture By Strontium Ranelate
The analysis of transiliac bone biopsy samples from phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of strontium ranelate has provided further evidence of the good bone safety of strontium ranelate in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Strontium ranelate improves both trabecular and cortical bone.

At the trabecular level, strontium ranelate significantly increases trabecular number by 14% and decreases trabecular separation by 16%, shifting trabeculae from rod-like structures to plate-like patterns. At the cortical level, strontium ranelate enlarges cortical bone dimensions by increasing cortical thickness by 18%.

Strontium ranelate is the first oral treatment to improve both trabecular and cortical bone in postmenopausal osteoporotic women. The change in 3D trabecular and cortical microarchitecture may improve bone biomechanical competence and explain the decreased fracture rate after strontium use.

http://www.servier.com/pro/osteoporosis/Osteoscoop/pdf/Osteoscoop_Issue61.pdf
Posted by BoneLady 09/23/2009

MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2009
Study Shows Protelos Builds Better Bone Than Fosamax
A two-year double-blind study included 88 women over age 50 with postmenopausal osteoporosis who were treated with either Protelos (strontium ranelate) 2 g. daily or Fosamax (alendronate) 70 mg. weekly. The study, which used high-resolution computerized tomography, showed that Protelos increased cortical bone thickness, bone volume and trabecular bone density to a significantly greater extent than Fosamax over a one-year period.

The one-year interim results on bone microstucture, a determinant of bone strength, showed a +5.3% increase in cortical thickness and a +2.0% increase in bone volume in the Protelos-treated group. There was no change in the Fosamax-treated group.

For more information and references, see www.medicalnewstoday.com/printerfriendlynews.php?newsid=132149
Posted by BoneLady

Anonymous said...

strontium ranalate has been associated with the side effects of venous thromboses and DRESS syndrome. Does this also happen with strontium citrate?

BoneLady said...

To: Anonymous poster on 12/14/11

Good question. The answer is that nobody knows for sure but the possibility exists. Because strontium ranelate is a prescription drug, clinical tests were required before it was available for sale in various countries. Strontium citrate is sold as a supplement in the U.S. and therefore did not require clinical trials.

I have read testimonials of people taking strontium citrate and do not personally know of anyone who claims to have suffered from VTE or DRESS from strontium citrate. I have read a few comments from people who developed a rash after taking strontium citrate, but that is not the same as DRESS syndrome, a potentially fatal allergic reaction. I would not be at all surprised if those few individuals who developed DRESS syndrome from strontium ranelate were allergic to the ranelic acid or the aspartame in the drug; no one knows for sure what triggered the allergic reaction.

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.