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By Dr. Douglas Lobay, B.Sc., N.D.
“Say what? Hey, doctor what is Strontium?” “Didn’t I hear about radioactive strontium during a nuclear reactor meltdown in Chernobyl? “Isn’t that the stuff used in radiation therapy in certain forms of cancer?”
This article is not about radioactive strontium isotopes. This article is about a highly effective supplement used for the treatment of osteoporosis. Read this article closely and pay attention. You won’t get this information from your medical doctor or the pharmaceutical industry. Strontium is as effective as current drugs including Fosamax and Didrocal used to treat osteoporosis.
Strontium is a natural occurring white to yellow colored alkaline earth metal. It is the fifteenth most abundant element in the earth’s crust. Strontium was first discovered in 1787 in the lead mines of Scotland near a town called Strontian. Strontium compounds have been used in industry since its discovery for a variety of uses. Strontium alloys have been used in the automobile industry. Strontium has been combined with other compounds to give off a brilliant red color in fireworks. Strontium is a common element in certain magnets. Strontium has been added to commercial paints and is used a glaze in the pottery industry. Strontium has been used in several toothpaste brands. A ten percent strontium compound has been used for sensitive teeth.
Strontium has an atomic number of 38 on the periodic table of elements. It is in the same category as calcium but it is a heavier element. Its atomic weight varies from 82 to 90. The variance in atomic weight determines whether the strontium element is stable or unstable, radioactive or non-radioactive. There are at least four stable strontium elements. Strontium 90 is a radioactive isotope of strontium and has been used in cancer radiation therapy. Radioactive strontium has been used a fuel source the thermoelectric generators. It is important to clarify that stable forms of strontium used in industry and as bone building element are not radioactive and shouldn’t be confused with radioactive medical isotopes. In the typical North American diet a person routinely consumes between one to three milligrams of stable elemental strontium per day. The average body stores of strontium is 320 milligrams which is mainly stored in bone and connective tissue.
In 2004, the European pharmaceutical company Servier came out with a new “drug” to treat osteoporosis called “Protelos”. It is available in European countries including England, Ireland, France, Germany and Belgium as a prescription medicine. It is not currently available in the United States or Canada. Protelos is basically two strontium molecules bound to an organic acid called ranelic acid or ranelate. The product is licensed for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis to reduce the risk of vertebral and hip fractures. Protelos is available as a granular powder. The recommended dose is two grams of powder mixed with a glass of water to be taken in the evening before bedtime at least two hours after eating. It is best consumed by itself without other medication or supplements. High calcium foods, primarily as a milk and dairy and calcium supplements are not to be taken with this product. A two gram dose of strontium ranelate releases 680 milligrams of elemental ionic strontium. Strontium is slowly absorbed through the digestive tract and directly competes for absorption with calcium. If calcium supplements are taken at the same time as strontium the bioavailability of strontium is reduced by 60 to 70%. Once in the blood stream ionic strontium travels to bone where it becomes incorporated in bone matrix.
Strontium ranelate has been tested in two large clinical trials involving postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The SOTI (Spinal Osteoporosis Therapeutic Intervention) study included 1649 patients with previous vertebral bone fracture. The SOTI trial showed that strontium ranelate reduced the risk of vertebral fracture by 49% in the first year and by 41% over three years. The researchers concluded that the reduction in bone fractures “seems similar” to what has been reported with existing osteoporotic drugs including aledronate (47%), risedronate (49%) and raloxifene (30%). The TROPOS (Treatment of Peripheral Osteoporosis) study included 5091 women with low hip-bone mineral density. The TROPOS study showed a 36% reduction if the risk of hip fracture for strontium treated patients. It also showed 39% reduction in vertebral fractures. A review of the SOTI study published Osteoporosis International concluded that strontium is “an important new treatment option in the prevention of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.”
Strontium has a unique biphasic method of activity including stimulating the formation of new bone and preventing the breakdown of old bone. Bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax and Didrocal prevent bone breakdown by inhibiting cells called osteoclasts from acting on bone. Strontium also prevents osteoclasts from breaking down bone and prevents bone resorption. Strontium also stimulates bone formation by stimulating osteoblasts to produce new bone. Strontium is directly substituted in the bony matrix in place of calcium. Elemental strontium is utilized in the connective tissue matrix lining joint spaces. Preliminary research shows that strontium may be beneficial in preventing osteoarthritis and joint deterioration. It is important to note that strontium is a heavier element than calcium and part of the increase in bone density is due to the atomic weight of strontium.
The most common measure of bone density is the DXA or DEXA (duel energy x-ray absorptiometry) test on the lumbar vertebra and/or the femoral hip bone. An absolute density reading of vertebra or hip bone density is given in grams per square centimetre. The reading is then compared to the bone density of gender specific young adults and then to the same aged population. The T-score is the measurement when compared to healthy thirty year old young adults of the same gender. A Z-score is the measurement when compared to same aged individuals. A T-score reading of – 1.0 to -2.5 (measured as standard deviation) is indicative of osteopenia. A T-score reading less than – 2.5 (measured as standard deviation) is indicative of osteoporosis. Strontium supplementation improves bone density measurement by 3 to 12% over one to three years. It is important to note that a 3 to 12% improvement in bone density translates in a significant reduction (up to 49% reduction) in bone fractures. This is consistent with the current osteoporosis drugs like Fosamax and Didrocal. Even a 3% improvement in bone density, which is slight, can translate to a significant reduction in vertebra and hip fractures.
The drug manufacturer and the pharmaceutical industry would have you believe that only strontium ranelate is effective for osteoporosis. It is the current understanding the elemental ionic strontium is what is used in bones and not ranelic acid. Strontium is bound to ranelic acid in much the same way as calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. Once in the stomach and digestive system under the presence of hydrochloric acid strontium ranelate dissociates into two molecules of ionic strontium and ranelic acid. Scientists believe that ranelic acid plays no role in bone health and is probably excreted unused by the body. A two gram dose of strontium ranelate liberates 680 milligrams of elemental ionic strontium. This is the most common dose used in the scientific studies used to show the improvements in bone density. Medical researchers believe that other forms of strontium compounds such as strontium citrate in the same dose are as effective as the prescription drug. Strontium citrate readily dissociates into ionic strontium in the digestive system and is absorbed into the bloodstream and made available to bones for uptake and utilization.
Strontium citrate is a cost effective treatment for osteoporosis. Strontium citrate supplements have been recommended by health food stores, health oriented pharmacies and naturopathic doctors for the treatment of osteoporosis for several years. The cost of strontium supplementation is less than $30 dollars per month. The cost of prescription strontium ranelate in England is about thirty pounds or $60 per month. The dosage of elemental strontium recommended in the SOTI and TROPOS studies are 680 milligrams of strontium per day. Take strontium approximately two hours after eating, preferably in the evening before bedtime. Do not take calcium at the same time as strontium because they both compete for absorption through the same mechanism.
Side effects strontium supplementation is minimal. Nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea and headache have been reported in a small number of people. These symptoms usually pass after several weeks or months of use. Individuals with thick blood or hyper-coagulation disorders should consult with their doctor prior to use of strontium. There are several unanswered questions about strontium supplementation that future research will hope to answer. How long should one stay on strontium? What is the optimal dose? What are the long term effects of strontium supplementation?
Strontium is a safe and effective supplement for the treatment of osteoporosis. Medical research concludes that it is as effective as conventional prescription drugs currently available in North America. It should be a recommended option for all those individuals who cannot take prescription medicines due to side effects. It should also be recommended as an adjunctive supplement for those individuals already taking pharmaceutical drugs for osteoporosis. Contains: Serving Size: 2 vegicaps
Strontium (elemental)……680mg
from 1950mg Strontium Citrate)
Non-medicinal ingredients: modified cellulose (vegetarian capsule); magnesium stearate (vegetable source) INDICATIONS:
Research over the past 50 years has tied strontium to bone health. Recent research shows that strontium increases osteoblast activity (bone building) and reduces osteoclast activity (bone breakdown), leading to normalized bone density. ADULT DOSAGE:
Take 2 vegicaps at the same time daily, ideally away from supplements or food high in calcium or fiber, or as directed by a qualified health practitioner. CAUTION:
Be sure to take at least the RDI of calcium and vitamin D3. Do not take this product at the same time as a calcium supplement, as these minerals may compete with each other for absorption.
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