Strontium And Calcium

For patients taking any strontium salt (e.g., strontium ranelate, strontium citrate) for osteoporosis, it is recommended that you obtain an adequate calcium intake as part of a well balanced diet. If you have difficulties obtaining adequate calcium from your diet, a calcium supplement may also be required. (All patients participating in the strontium ranelate research trials had an adequate calcium intake.) Take your calcium supplement or calcium-rich food at least two hours before or two hours after you have taken the strontium because calcium will prevent the absorption of strontium.

There is an upper limit to the amount of calcium that can be taken safely. It is recommended that you do not exceed 2000 - 2500 mg of calcium per day included in your food, drink and supplements. Consistently exceeding the upper limit may increase your risk of medical problems, including a high level of calcium in the blood (milk alkali syndrome), and may interfere with the absorption of other minerals such as iron. If you have a history of kidney stones, consuming a diet rich in calcium will not increase your risk of further stone formation. Most renal doctors do not restrict calcium intake for their patients these days.

Splitting your calcium intake into 500-mg doses is advisable, as the gut would not be able to absorb 1000 mg all at once. To maximize the absorption of your calcium tablet, take it at meal times with or after food. If you take iron tablets for other health reasons, avoid taking calcium at the same time by staggering the tablets throughout the day. This will ensure that both minerals are fully absorbed.

This information is from the National Osteoporosis Society, located in the United Kingdom, where strontium ranelate (Protelos) is an approved prescription drug for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. To obtain NOS publications and Information Sheets, go to www.nos.org.uk.