Strontium is a New Solution to Bone Loss.

A couple of years ago a new supplement burst upon the osteoporosis scene; strontium. This is a trace mineral that works synergistically with calcium to support the osteoblasts; the bone builders. It also reduces the activity of osteoclasts; the bone recyclers.

This mineral has been studied since the 1940's. But it was a recent three year study written up in The New England Journal of Medicine that generated the fresh excitement.

Women who took this mineral, along with calcium and vitamin D, cut their risk of fracture by 49% in the first year of treatment - that's nearly in half! Plus, they increased the bone
density in their backs by 14.4% and in their necks by 8.3% on average. The women who took only calcium and vitamin D saw no increase in bone density.

Although strontium is present in soil and water and found in some foods, the dose required to make bones stronger and more flexible is way bigger than you could ever find without a supplement. Studies suggest it takes 300-600 mg a day but it is non-toxic so the results are certainly worth a trial period.

The studies were done with a synthetic form of strontium but the natural one, strontium citrate, is considered equal in effect. The drug companies can't patent natural substances so they made a synthetic version just to make money.

A Canadian company, AOR, came out with the strontium supplement first and then the copies came pouring out. But many companies added strontium to their existing bone formulas with calcium and magnesium. Unfortunately, these all compete for the metabolic pathways in the body so they fight with each other. AOR has an extremely well-researched magazine about their supplement here - http://www.aor.ca/magazine_spring_2005.asp - more than you ever wanted to know.

The best way that they recommend strontium to be taken is early morning before breakfast. You can keep it beside the bed with water and have it first thing. Then have magnesium with your breakfast and calcium with lunch and dinner. Calcium should be spread out in smaller doses during the day with food. Strontium can be taken all at once without food and has no side effects; unlike the bisphosphonate drugs.

The older studies from the 1940's also show that people have shown no symptoms of toxicity after taking strontium supplements for four years at 2 ½ times the doses recommended today.

The least expensive version of strontium citrate is from Doctor's Best. It is called Strontium Bone Maker. The cheapest place on the net to find it is vitaminlife.com .
I am not connected with either of these companies and I don't know if the product is as good as AOR. I just did the research, you can make the choice.

Disclaimer: Nothing on this site is to be construed as medical advice. I am not a medical practitioner and have no ability to diagnose or treat disease. This site is intended for informational purposes only. Everyone should make their own health decisions after getting all the information they need.