Someone asked me recently if, knowing what I know today, I would do anything differently for my bones.
Knowing what I know today (16 years after my osteoporosis diagnosis), I would never have taken Fosamax, 70 mg, once weekly. I suffered from dizziness and vertigo and had to stop taking it after six months.
I would still take strontium citrate because taking it has been a positive experience. I am still taking it 15 years later at the full dosage of 680 mg/day.
I will not take any of the osteoporosis drugs. The anabolic drugs are, therapeutically, a big step forward over the antiresorptive ones, but all the bone drugs come with many potential side effects.
The only other bone therapy I find acceptable is vitamin K2 (MK4) at 45 mg/day (15 mg taken three times per day). MK4 at this dosage is given by prescription in Japan and other Asian countries for osteoporosis. It is also said to be heart healthy. The only problem is it is hard in Western nations to find reliable information about how this therapy is working out. I do not know any Americans who have used this therapy over a protracted period of time. Anyway, it is my Plan B, in case I ever want to switch from SC. Another, more likely, possibility for my future is to reduce my SC dosage by one-third or one-half and add MK4 at 15 mg or 30 mg/day.
You may have noticed that I did not mention vitamin K2 (MK7). That is because I would never take it based on the reports of many people who say they experience nervousness, insomnia, and/or heart palpitations with even small doses of MK7. Also, I feel there is more evidence for the efficacy of MK4 than MK7 because MK4 has been used in Japan for osteoporosis for more than 20 years.
What, if anything, would you do differently for your bones?
15 comments:
Hello Bone Lady,
Long time reader here. I was reading about the correlation between heavy metals and osteoarthritis here.
https://rheumnow.com/news/heavy-metals-and-risk-arthritis
Does Strontium fall into this same bucket of heavy metals, or is its absorption pattern different from the others? I would appreciate your opinion and expertise.
To: Anonymous
Strontium is NOT a heavy metal. The article you provided a link to lists the heavy metals tested. TE (trace elements) concentrations for whole blood [cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn)], serum [copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn)] were measured in adults.The study showed that Pb and Cd ions were significantly correlated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The term heavy metal refers to any metallic chemical element that has a relatively high density and is toxic or poisonous at low concentrations.
Strontium is an alkaline earth metal. Alkaline-earth metals are any of the six chemical elements that comprise Group 2 (IIa) of the periodic table. The elements are beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), and radium (Ra).
Hello! I am v positive about the potential benefits of strontium citrate after reading many testimonials, including yours,BoneLady, and have been taking the supplement for about 6 weeks initially at the 680 mg dose but more recently at 320. My question. Is: have you read or heard of tongue irritation as a result of these doses? At 680, I developed sores and swelling, as well as strong odor from my urine. Halving the dose has reduced the tongue irritation dramatically but it still is off with slight swelling and a metallic taste. I am at -3.4 spine, -2.7 hips, age 70. I hope to continue this form of treatment, supplemented by diet and exercise.
Dear Anonymous of May 6, 2023,
You left out a critical piece of information, that is, the brand of strontium citrate you are taking. Most brands have fillers, some of which can cause side effects in some individuals.
No, I have not heard of strontium citrate causing tongue irritation with sores and swelling, a metallic taste, or a strong odor in the urine. However, any drug can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
The original Sensodyne toothpaste contained strontium chloride, which caused gum irritation in some people.
Smelly urine can be caused by something you ate (e.g., asparagus, onions, garlic, salmon, curry), dehydration, impending diabetes, regular douching, a urinary tract infection, yeast infections, sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, genetic disorders, pregnancy, ovulation.
I think you should stop taking whatever brand of strontium citrate you are currently taking and see if all your symptoms go away. If the symptoms do not disappear, perhaps something else (e.g., another medication, an illness) is causing all or some of your symptoms, and you should consult a physician. If the symptoms do disappear, some ingredient in the brand of SrC you are taking may be the cause, but it could also be a rare allergic reaction to SrC itself. I would not re-introduce the same brand, but, if you wish, you could try AOR Strontium Support II or another brand without fillers. I would start out at the lowest dosage and, if all goes well, increase the dosage slowly.
I wish you the best of luck.
Hello! I just found this blog and am happy to follow your journey. I am 63 and diagnosed 5 years ago with OP. Try as I did over these 5 years with supplements, exercise, diet etc my BMD continues to deteriorate. Spine is -2.9, hips are osteopenia (-1.2ish) I JUST started taking strontium citrate this week, after much research and a long talk with a nutritionist. I’m starting with 300mg and will work my way up to 600 if I tolerate it (so far so good). I plan to review your blog but I’m wondering what has happened to your BMD over the years on strontium? Any advice for a newbie? I saw that you take only MK-4 and no 7 and I think I will do the same as I do get some palpitations. Thanks a lot
Hi susie,
My BMD has gone from osteoporosis in 2007 to still osteoporosis but much improved in 2009 to osteopenia in 2013 to still osteopenia but improved in 2016 to osteopenia with improved spine and total hip but no change from previous scan in left femoral hip density in 2019 to normal in 2022. My BMD results are inflated due to strontium use, but I use the percent changes in BMD from one scan to the next as proof I am absorbing the strontium and it is being incorporated into my bones. I do not dwell on BMD numbers because what really counts is that I have had no fractures, and I feel well with no side effects from strontium.
You misunderstood what I wrote about vitamin K2 (MK4). I said that, if I were ever to stop taking strontium, I might try MK4 at 45 mg/day (Japanese prescription dosage). I also said that, if I were to reduce my strontium dosage, I might add 15 or 30 mg/day of MK4.
In March 2023, after 15 years of taking strontium at 680-682 mg/day, I reduced my dosage to 340 mg/day for four days/week and 680 mg/day for three days/week. That equates to about 486 mg/day. In the MOTS study of osteopenia, the subjects were given 450 mg strontium/day. So far, I have not added vitamin K2 to my supplements.
https://www.blogger.com/profile/10034636499792659801 (2007)
http://strontiumforbones.blogspot.com/2009/07/improved-t-scores-after-treatment.html
http://strontiumforbones.blogspot.com/2013/09/from-osteoporosis-to-osteopenia-with.html
http://strontiumforbones.blogspot.com/2016/08/my-dxa-scan-on-august-4-2016.html
http://strontiumforbones.blogspot.com/2019/01/axial-dxa-8-january-2019.html
http://strontiumforbones.blogspot.com/2022/08/dxa-scan-of-18-august-2022-showing.html
I hope strontium citrate works as well for you as it has for me.
Bone Lady. I am 77.
In 2017 my total spine was -3.3. In 2022 it was -3.8. Right femur neck 2017 -2,4, 2023 -3.10. I walk about 5000 steps per day. I am taking 340 mg strontium per day. It looks like I need to take 680 mg. What is your exercise? What diet do you have? Thank you.
Hi Linda,
Yes, 680 mg strontium/day is recommended for osteoporosis.
I do 30 minutes of low-impact aerobics on most days. Sometimes, I follow one of my exercise DVDs and, other times, I just dance around to lively music for 30 minutes. My favorite exercise DVDs are the ones by Leslie Sansone because they feature walking and are easy to follow. Sometimes, I use small hand weights of 0.5 pound to 1.5 pounds. With my exercises and daily activities, I usually take at least 5000 steps/day.
I eat a little of everything, including fat-free milk, fat-free Greek yogurt, low-fat cheese, lean protein sources (chicken, pork, beef, tofu), salads, Turkish figs, almonds and other nuts, low-sugar granola, beans, and greens. I use extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar for salad dressings.
Good luck to you,
BoneLady
After tons of research, including reading your blog, I have decided to start taking Strontium. I started out with 300 mg the first week and then I’m now up to the full dose of 680. I seem to be having some slight gastrointestinal distress. Is it your experience that this will pass? I have colitis that is under very good control and I’m always a little worried about anything that might set it off again. I am very hopeful about the Strontium helping my bones. I have spent 34 years since my diagnosis trying with exercise and supplements to no avail.
Hi suzie,
I do not have colitis, and do not know if your slight gastrointestinal distress will pass. I'm not even sure exactly what symptoms you are currently experiencing because gastric distress can include constipation, bloating, reflux, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping.
Before I started using strontium citrate, I used to have occasional constipation. After starting SrC, my constipation seemed to worsen somewhat. So, I began to increase the fiber in my diet. For years now, I have had regular bowel movements.
I hope your gastrointestinal problems cease, but I cannot predict what will happen because each of us reacts differently to different substances. I am certain that, if you can stay on SrC, it will help your bones.
My mild stomach issue has already passed. I had a little bit of diarrhea. I seem to be tolerating the Strontium pretty well. Some thing I have noticed is that I seem to be sleeping much better since I started taking it. Have you ever heard of this? Ordinarily, I am awake for at least an hour or an hour and a half in the middle of the night. This is a welcome side effect! I have had a chance to read through a great deal of your blog and I really want to thank you for all the effort you have put into this as well as the very informative links to the research.
Suzie,
I am so glad the diarrhea has stopped! No, I have not heard of SrC making one sleep better. However, I sleep like a log. I never attributed my long, deep sleeps to strontium, but, maybe it is the cause.
Hello Mr. Anstett,
You have done much research on the history of strontium. Strontium ranelate is a prescription drug in Europe for postmenopausal women and for men with severe osteoporosis who cannot take other drugs. Strontium citrate is sold as a supplement in the USA and Canada for bone health.
For 15 years, I have taken strontium citrate for postmenopausal osteoporosis at the same dosage as strontium ranelate. I noticed dosage errors concerning strontium ranelate in your first link.
You wrote: "The standard dose of Sr Ranelate is 1000 mg daily, which supplies 680 mg of Sr, and 320 mg of ranelic acid." No, the standard dose of SrR is 2 grams (2000 mg) daily, which supplies 680 mg of Sr. That 2-gram dose is the amount that was marketed because it was found to be the most effective dose to prevent fractures.
You also wrote: "It is also interesting that the 1000 mg dose of Sr Ranelate with 680 mg of Sr was determined to be the “minimum effective dose” according to the phase II trials." Yes to the first part, no to the second. It is true that 1 gram (1000 mg) of SrR was determined to be the the "minimum effective dose," but that dose had only 340 mg of Sr and was never marketed.
Researchers are looking for other uses for strontium in addition to its use for osteoporosis.
I just read an article published in Clinical Nutrition in July 2020, and showing that type 2 diabetes is less likely with increasing plasma strontium levels. More research is needed on this subject. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31540775/
Strontium-89, a radioactive drug, is used to treat bone pain in people with bone cancer.
Strontium ranelate has been shown to slow radiological progression of spinal arthritis and reduce back pain.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17965119/
Strontium ranelate retards structural deterioration in patients with knee osteoarthritis. https://www.nature.com/articles/nrrheum.2012.206
I will conclude with a quote from webMD:
"Possibly Effective for"
"Osteoarthritis. Some research shows that taking strontium ranelate helps prevent arthritis of the spine from becoming worse. Taking strontium ranelate also seems to decrease pain, stiffness, and loss of cartilage in people with arthritis of the knee. Strontium ranelate is not available in the U.S."
"Prostate cancer. Some research shows that giving a special prescription form of strontium (strontium-89 chloride) intravenously (by IV) slows the growth of prostate cancer that is resistant to treatment and also relieves pain.
There is interest in using strontium for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful."
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1077/strontium#
I am not clear on your protocol for osteoporosis-You say calcium (500 mg, about 700 mg from dietary sources) Magnesium (450mg). Do you take one tablet of calcium and one of magnesium? Do you take it just with breakfast? Thank you.
I looked at Country Life tablets but can not figure out which ones to take.
Hi Linda,
I take Country Life Target-Mins Calcium Magnesium with Vitamin D Complex. The bottle says 1000 mg calcium, 500 mg magnesium, 10 mcg (400 IU) vitamin D3 in a serving of four capsules. I take two capsules with supper.
https://www.amazon.com/Country-Life-Target-Mins-Vegetarian/dp/B00117ZTNY/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3VMPR5CDKSV3O&keywords=Country%2BLife%2BCalcium%2BMagnesium%2Bwith%2BVitamin%2BD%2BComplex&qid=1702651743&sprefix=country%2Blife%2Bcalcium%2Bmagnesium%2Bwith%2Bvitamin%2Bd%2Bcomplex%2B%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1
I take Doctor's Best High Absorption Magnesium Lysinate Glycinate Complex. The bottle says 200 mg magnesium from 2000 mg magnesium lysinate glycinate complex in serving of two capsules. I take one capsule with lunch. Most people take magnesium supplements at night to help them sleep, but I cannot do so because I take my strontium and statin at night. Luckily, I usually fall into a deep sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
https://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-Absorption-Magnesium-Glycinate/dp/B000BD0RT0/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1IJJ2L9FYTRJT&keywords=doctor%27s%2Bbest%2Bhigh%2Babsorption%2Bmagnesium%2Bglycinate%2Blysinate&qid=1702652264&sprefix=doctor%27s%2Bbe%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-5&th=1
So, I am taking half servings of each product, i.e., two capsules of Country Life and one capsule of Doctor's Best.
I drink 12 ounces of nonfat milk for breakfast daily. I usually have about four heaping tablespoon of fat free Greek yogurt for lunch. I often eat low-fat cheese for dinner or, for lunch, if I don't have yogurt.
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