Strontium is a new player in the field of osteoporosis supplements. The European community has tested this supplement extensively and found it as effective as the biphosphonate drugs such as Fosamax. Strontium also seems to be safe with known deficiencies or toxicities. It has yet to catch on in this country, but studies are sure to come. Before including this new supplement into your regimen, check with your doctor first.
Uses
Strontium is a trace element that is not required in the human diet. It is similar to calcium, which has led to testing the supplement against osteoporosis. Strontium takes the place of calcium in developing bone, according to New York University Langone Medical Center. In a three-year study, it increased the bone density in women and cut down on the number of fractures in the population. In an additional study of women with at least one fracture of a bone in their backs, strontium ranelate reduced new fractures in one year by 49 percent and new fractures within three years by 41 percent.
Dangers
The long-term safety effects of strontium look promising. New York University Langone Medical Center states that weak evidence exists for strontium ranelate causing memory loss, seizures and blood clots. Some digestive issues such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting were also reported. Taking large amounts of strontium can weaken the bone, so it is best to stay within the recommended dosage parameters to avoid this side effect.
Dosages
Strontium ranelate is currently not available in this country. Strontium citrate is available as a dietary supplement. However, according to the University of Hawaii, strontium citrate should still provide the nutrient to the bone in the same way as its ranelate counterpart. The dosages used in studies of strontium ranelate are 500 mg to 1 g per day to prevent osteoporosis and 2 g per day for treatment, according to New York University Langone Medical Center. Unfortunately, the dietary supplements are not tested or controlled as tightly as medications, so you may not get as much strontium as the package indicates.
Food Sources
Since strontium is not a nutrient recommended in the human diet, not much research has occurred into food sources that contain strontium. A Finnish study found that the average person in Finland ate about 2 mg of strontium per day from their diet, according to the University of Hawaii. The strontium content of food depends upon the level of strontium in the soil in which it was grown, according to Healthwise. In order to get more of this nutrient in your diet, you would have to take a supplement from a reputable source.
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