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

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

MOTS and COMB Study Comparison



A one-year study on strontium citrate combined with melatonin and other supplements and named the Melatonin-micronutrients Osteopenia Treatment Study (MOTS) was recently published (January 26, 2017). I’d like to compare it to the Combination of Micronutrients for Bone (COMB) Study published in 2012. See the following chart:
        
    COMB Study                                                               MOTS

Study size                        114                                                                                  20
Baseline BMD status      osteoporosis                                                                   osteopenia
Strontium (citrate)               680 mg                                                                          450 mg
Vitamin K2 (MK7)               100 mcg                                                                         60 mcg
Melatonin                              none                                                                                5 mg                        
Vitamin D3                         2000 IU                                                                          2000 IU
Docosahexanoic acid (DHA)   250 mg                                                                      none
Magnesium                             25 mg                                                                          none
Lumbar spine BMD             6% increase                                                             4.3% increase
Femoral neck BMD             4% increase                                                             2.2% increase
Total hip BMD               3% increase                                                             No sign. diff., pos. trend

I could have predicted the results on BMD. How? Well, it had previously been shown, from studies on strontium ranelate, that strontium increased BMD at all dosages studied, but the optimum increases were gained with 680 mg strontium. Also, melatonin has been used for years as a sleep aid, but there is little evidence for it as a bone supplement. The authors of MOTS named two studies on melatonin listed below.         

“Limitations to this study include low number of subjects, lack of a diverse cohort and lack of different micronutrient combinations on primary and secondary endpoints in MOTS clinical trial.”

Despite the limitations of MOTS, there is valuable information to be gained from it:

MOTS increased awareness of the importance of preventative care in patients with osteopenia. “Over half of all women in the U.S. above age 50 have osteopenia with a prevalence of approximately 3.4 times more than osteoporosis. Consequently, twice the number of fractures arises from women with osteopenia as they represent almost 50% of the total population at risk.”

“The 10-year vertebral fracture risk probability decreased by 6.48% in response to MSDK (melatonin, strontium, vitamins D and K) therapy compared to 10.8% increase in placebo.”

“MSDK reduced bone marker turnover primarily by increasing the bone formation marker P1NP and maintaining healthy bone turnover.”

“MSDK demonstrated positive effects on inflammatory status and improved quality of life especially related to sleep.”

MOTS confirmed that dosages lower than 680 mg strontium will increase BMD by lower percentages.
                       



Kotlarczyk MP, Lassila HC, O’Neil CK, D’Amico F, Enderby LT, WittEnderby PA, Balk JL. Melatonin osteoporosis prevention study (MOPS): a randomized, doubleblind, placebocontrolled study examining the effects of melatonin on bone health and quality of life in perimenopausal women. J Pineal Res. 2012; 52:414–26. doi: 10.1111/j.1600079X.2011.00956.x

Amstrup AK, Sikjaer T, Heickendorff L, Mosekilde L, Rejnmark L. Melatonin improves bone mineral density at the femoral neck in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: a randomized controlled trial. J Pineal Res. 2015; 59:221–29. doi:10.1111/jpi.12252

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.