Natural strontium as Osteopenia or Osteoporosis treatment

Strontium has been in the news as a natural Osteopenia and Osteoporosis treatment. Perhaps the approval of the drug, Protelos (strontium ranelate) in the European Union has something to do with this increased interest.

A report in the New England Journal of Medicine states that vertebral fractures were reduced 49% in the first year and 41% over three years by this synthetic form of the element.

To read the full text of the article go to: The Effects of Strontium Ranelate on the Risk of Vertebral Fracture in Women with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.

The FDA has not approved this drug for use in the United States. It is still in the clinical trials stage. But the trials appear to show positive results. (I am keeping tabs on the progress of this resaerch and will, of course, announce any FDA approval in our monthly newsletter, Osteopenia Update.

Natural forms of this element have been discussed as Osteoporosis and Osteopenia treatments for some time. Those using natural and complementary medicine in their practices suggest it.

Here's some research results for Strontium and bone growth. As you will note all of the early studies were done with the natural forms of the element - not the new synthetic form strontium ranelate

• The references I found go back to 1910. A German researcher reported that Strontium seemed to be very effective in stimulating the rapid formation of bone.

• In 1920 another German researcher concluded that this element and calcium together were superior to calcium alone in mineralizing bone.

  It appears that these two studies were not picked up elsewhere in the world and nothing was done to advance the use of this element in Osteoporosis or Osteopenia treatments.

• But a 1952 report from Cornell University reinforced the 1920 conclusions. It stated that supplementing with both minerals worked better together than using calcium alone for rebuilding bone.

• In 1959, at the Mayo Clinic physicians reported the use of Strontium lactateas a treatment. 22 individuals with severe, painful osteoporosis took 1,700 milligrams of daily and another 10 took the same amount of along with estrogen and testosterone.

  Results: All patients showed improvement. 18 of the 22 in the Strontium-only group had 'marked improvement' while the other 4 had 'moderate improvement'. In the hormones plus the element group, nine of 10 experienced 'marked improvement' while the other one showed 'moderate improvement'.

• Then in 1981 there was a study of patients with cancer that had metasticized to bone. The results showed improved bone density and lessened pain in cancer-affected areas. (I believe that this study also used the lactate form of the element.)

• In 1985, there was a 6 month study of strontium carbonate supplements. There were six particpants and each was given 500-700 mg per day.

  Bone biopsies were done before and after treatment and researchers reported that bone formation had improved while bone resorption (removal of bone) had remained the same.

  For me, this is last study was really important since most of the drugs on the market do not stimulate our osteoblasts to build new bone. They only inhibit the work of our osteoclasts in bone resorption. Here is something that appears to stimulate the osteoblasts to build new bone.

Articles by Jonathan V. Wright M.D. of the Tahoma Clinic and Robert Jay Rowen M.D. are the major sources for the above information.

I note that both these physicians use complementary medicine in addition to conventional medical treatments. Both have web sites and offer subscription newsletters.

Dr. Wright notes that there are 3 main forms of the natural element:Strontium lactate, Strontium gluconate, and carbonate.

It appears, from the materials that I have read, that all three of these natural forms have been used in the past by researchers seeking to increase bone building

Frequently Asked Questions about Strontium

1. Isn't this element lethal? I thought it was in the news in the 1950's as very dangerous - that it could interfere with bone growth Ah, yes, what you are thinking of is Strontium 90. This by product of nuclear fission was in the news after the atomic bombs were exploded. And yes, this is not something that you want to ingest. The Environmental protection agency is concerned about its presense in drinking water.

   But what we are talking about is the natural element which is number 38 on the Periodic Chart of the Elements and stands next to Calcium on that chart.

2. Is it present in any foods? Yes, it is found in spices, seafood, whole grains, root and leafy vegetables, and legumes. (I read that it is sometimes present in toothpastes made for sensitive teeth!) If you already have Osteopenia or Osteoporosis, it is believed that food sources are not sufficient. That is the main reason why some advocate health supplements.

3. Are supplements are available to the public? As far as I know there are at least two supplements on the market.

   One brand also contains Calcium but the research I have read states that Strontium is more effective when taken a few hours after calcium. I take my strontium a several hours after my calcium supplements.

   Recently Servier, the maker of the prescription form (strontium raneleate - Protelos) advises that their drug be taken without food upon retiring at night. Servier has also issued some warnings about their drug. I do not know if they apply to the natural product or not but if you want to read them, go to Protelos

   Since information about this natural Osteopenia and Osteoporosis treatment has not been carried in many publications, it is not so well known.

   (Dr. Rowen suggests that 900 mg per day is sufficient for someone with Osteoporosis and one capsule is fine for those whose bone density is OK and would be taking the supplement to prevent Osteopenia or Osteoporosis.)