Strontium

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Strontium
- Strontium citrate (supplement form)
- Strontium ranelate (prescription form in Europe)

Latin Name: Strontium (Sr) - Element #38

Category: Mineral

Uses

Traditional Uses

• Historical use in toothpaste formulations to strengthen tooth enamel
• Recognition in early 20th century that communities with strontium-rich water had stronger bones and teeth
• Folk knowledge connecting mineral-rich water sources to bone health

Modern Uses

• Osteoporosis Prevention and Support - Supports bone density and reduces fracture risk | Research quality: Strong
• Key findings: Research presented at the 2011 European Congress on Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis showed strontium ranelate surpassed bisphosphonates (Fosamax) in bone-forming activity; women adding strontium ranelate reduced fracture risk by 49% in the first year

• Source citations: The Doctors Book of Natural Health Remedies; European clinical trials

• Bone Formation Enhancement - Stimulates new bone growth | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Six volunteers receiving 600-700mg strontium daily for 6 months showed bone formation increases of over 170%, with reports of reduced bone pain; better response observed in younger individuals

• Source citations: Brewer - TDT Encyclopedia of Vitamins

• Dental Health - May strengthen tooth enamel and reduce cavities | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Population studies indicate people living in areas with high strontium content in drinking water have fewer dental caries
• Source citations: Brewer - TDT Encyclopedia of Vitamins

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Elemental strontium - The active mineral that incorporates into bone tissue, stimulating osteoblast (bone-building) activity while inhibiting osteoclast (bone-resorbing) activity
- Citrate (in strontium citrate) - Provides good bioavailability and is well-tolerated
- Ranelate (in prescription strontium ranelate) - Synthetic organic compound used in European prescription formulations

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Form: Capsule (strontium citrate)
- Amount: 680mg strontium citrate (providing approximately 227mg elemental strontium)
- Frequency: Once daily, preferably at bedtime

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Form: Capsule
- Amount: Up to 2,000mg strontium citrate daily
- Purpose: Bone density support in osteopenia/osteoporosis
- Duration: Long-term use with periodic bone density monitoring

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Daily maximum: 2,000mg strontium citrate (approximately 680mg elemental strontium)
- Warning threshold: Higher doses have not been adequately studied for safety

Bioavailability Notes:
- Strontium competes with calcium for absorption; take separately from calcium supplements (2-4 hours apart)
- Best absorbed on an empty stomach or at least 2 hours after eating
- Food, especially dairy products, significantly reduces absorption
- Strontium citrate offers good bioavailability compared to other forms

How to Take It

Timing:
- Best taken at bedtime, separate from calcium-rich foods and supplements
- Take on an empty stomach for optimal absorption
- Wait at least 2 hours after meals
- Separate from calcium supplements by at least 2-4 hours (morning calcium, evening strontium works well)

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Vitamin D3 - Essential for calcium and mineral absorption | Supports overall bone mineralization
2. Vitamin K2 (MK-7) - Directs calcium and strontium into bones | Prevents arterial calcification
3. Magnesium - Supports bone matrix formation | Complements overall mineral balance

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. Calcium - Competes for absorption | Take separately by 2-4 hours to maximize strontium uptake
2. Bladderwrack/Kelp - Alginate in kelp binds strontium and reduces absorption 4-fold | Avoid taking together
3. Sodium Alginate supplements - Significantly reduces strontium absorption | Avoid taking together

Drug Interactions:
1. Tetracycline antibiotics - Strontium may bind with tetracyclines reducing effectiveness | Moderate severity - separate by 2-4 hours
2. Quinolone antibiotics - Similar binding concerns as tetracyclines | Moderate severity - separate by 2-4 hours
3. Bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Boniva) - May compete for bone incorporation | Consult healthcare provider before combining

Food Interactions:
- Dairy products - High calcium content reduces strontium absorption
- Foods high in oxalates and phytates - May reduce mineral absorption

Safety Information

Contraindications:
- History of venous thromboembolism (blood clots)
- Cardiovascular disease (European regulators restricted strontium ranelate use due to cardiac concerns)
- Severe kidney impairment (reduced excretion may cause accumulation)
- Immobilized patients at increased risk for blood clots

Side Effects:
- Common: Nausea, diarrhea (usually mild and transient)
- Uncommon: Headache, skin reactions
- Rare: Memory disturbances (reported with strontium ranelate)

Long-Term Use:
- Long-term safety data primarily available for strontium ranelate (prescription form)
- Regular monitoring of bone density recommended
- Periodic assessment of kidney function advisable for long-term users
- Cardiovascular status should be monitored in susceptible individuals

Special Precautions:
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Not recommended due to insufficient safety data
- Surgery: Consider discontinuing 2 weeks before elective surgery due to theoretical clotting concerns
- Elderly: Use with caution in those with cardiovascular risk factors

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Osteoporosis prevention, bone density support, fracture risk reduction

Secondary: Dental health support, bone pain reduction in osteoporosis

Sources

Local Library:
- Brewer, Sarah - TDT Encyclopedia of Vitamins
- Moline, Peg - The Doctors Book of Natural Health Remedies
- WRCHM - Herb-Drug-Nutrient Interaction (Wild Rose College)

General Knowledge:
- European Congress on Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (2011) research presentations
- General clinical knowledge regarding mineral supplementation