When using strontium for osteoporosis, supplements of calcium and vitamin D are usually necessary for strontium absorption. To obtain the greatest benefit of each supplement, a time lapse of at least two hours should separate doses of strontium for osteoporosis from intake of vitamin D and calcium. Strontium for osteoporosis works best on an empty stomach, or at least two hours after eating a meal.
Some people who use strontium supplements for osteoporosis take 680 milligrams a day, the amount that proved effective to increase bone mass, according to research studies. The most common forms of the supplement include strontium citrate and strontium ranelate. Strontium for osteoporosis might be obtained as a prescription drug or dietary supplement in health food stores.
In several studies, strontium showed increased bone mass in postmenopausal women. Research participants reported less bone pain and increased mobility after using strontium for osteoporosis for two years. The supplement reduced the risk of bone fracture in women who received 680 milligrams a day, the highest dosage level used in studies. Researchers concluded strontium for osteoporosis might prevent or reverse bone deterioration common in aging women.
This natural element was discovered in 1808 in Strontian, Scotland, giving the mineral its name. It is very plentiful in the earth’s crust and salt water, and is also found in rocks, oil, coal, and dust. Its medical use dates back to the late 1800s as strontium salts. Strontium is a stable element in its natural form, unlike the radioactive strontium that caused a health scare in the 1950s.
Radioactive strontium-90 contaminated dairy farms and other food sources during above-ground nuclear weapon testing during this period. Fallout from these tests entered the atmosphere and built up in the bones of adults and children, causing some diseases. Radioactive isotopes of strontium are also created in nuclear reactors.
Some scientists believe the non-radioactive form of strontium for osteoporosis might flush the radioactive form from the human body. It might replace the toxic form of the element accumulated in bones and allow excretion through the urine. Strontium is similar chemically to calcium, but heavier, and might be effective in drawing calcium into bones. One animal study showed supplement of strontium led to stronger teeth and bones.
In addition to the use of strontium for osteoporosis, the element is used to make glass and ceramics. It also goes into fluorescent lights, paint, and fireworks. This element can be obtained from food, including fish, molasses, and Brazil nuts. Lettuce, kale, and parsley also contain trace levels of strontium. Supplements are not recommended for people with a history of blood clots or kidney disease.