Skeleton Pirate

Skeleton Pirate
Artist: LindaB

WELCOME TO STRONTIUM FOR BONES BLOG

Have you experienced negative, and even dangerous, side effects from Fosamax (alendronate), Boniva (ibandronate), Actonel (risedronate), Reclast (zoledronic acid), Prolia (denosumab), Forteo (teriparatide), Tymlos (abaloparatide), or other drugs prescribed for osteoporosis? If you have, then rest assured there is a safe, effective treatment for this condition. Strontium, primarily in the form of strontium citrate, is taken orally once a day.

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Blog Archive

Monday, August 26, 2013

Non-Invasive Measurement of Bone Strontium Levels


Many of you have probably read that the only way to measure the amount of strontium in bone is to do a bone biopsy. That is no longer true, at least not in a research setting. A case study published last year in Bone used an in vivo X-ray fluorescence (IVXRF) I-125 based system to measure bone strontium levels non-invasively in an osteoporotic female volunteer before and after she began taking strontium citrate supplements (680 mg Sr/day).
Thirty-minute measurements were taken at the finger and ankle bone sites, representing primarily cortical and trabecular bone, respectively. Baseline natural strontium levels were obtained followed by a 24h measurement of first intake of strontium citrate supplements (680 mg Sr/day). The baseline levels of strontium (prior to supplementation) were 0.38 ± 0.05 and 0.39 ± 0.10 for the finger and ankle, respectively. After 24 hrs the levels were 0.62 ± 0.14 and 0.45 ± 0.12 for the finger and ankle, respectively. By 120 h, the increase was statistically significant at 0.68 ± 0.07 and 0.93 ± 0.05, respectively. Further increases occurred within an interval of 90-180 days, with the most recent, after 800 days, at the finger and ankle being 7 and 15 times higher than the initial baseline reading.

The results show bone strontium incorporation and retention follow a pattern and suggest strontium levels, at least in the ankle, do not plateau within two to three years and will continue to increase over time, as an individual takes strontium supplements. The ability of this IVXRF system to monitor and measure bone strontium levels over time provides a useful diagnostic tool to help gain insight into strontium bone kinetics.

 

 

Monday, August 5, 2013

Healing Fractures with Strontium Ranelate

Age and bone quality are the two most important factors influencing the fracture healing process. Cellular and molecular alterations in elderly patients may lead to pseudarthrosis (nonunion), i.e., a fracture that has not united in the stipulated time in which such fractures usually unite and has no chance of union without intervention. In the same way, in altered bone metabolism conditions, such as osteoporosis, physiological phases of fracture healing are impaired.

Two women with fractures that would not heal were started on strontium ranelate (2g/day), calcium (1200 mg/day), and vitamin D (800 IU/day). Patient B.G. was a 57-year-old Caucasian woman with osteopenia and a fracture of the right distal radius and ulna. Patient S.L. was a 59-year-old Caucasian woman with osteoporosis and a fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal in the left foot. Their case studies showed healing of fractures in a short period of time after drug and supplement intervention.

Read more about these fascinating studies, which contain figures of several radiographs and a CT scan, at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2898010/

Wandering Skeleton

Wandering Skeleton
Artist: Joel Hoekstra

Osteoporotic Bone

Osteoporotic Bone
Source: www.mayoclinic.com

How Strontium Builds Bones

Strontium is a mineral that tends to accumulate in bone. Studies have shown that oral doses of strontium are a safe and effective way to prevent and reverse osteoporosis. Doses of 680 mg per day appear to be optimal. See my "For More Information About Strontium" links section.

Osteoporosis is caused by changes in bone production. In healthy young bones there is a constant cycle of new bone growth and bone removal. With age, more bone is removed and less new bone is produced. The bones become less dense and thus more fragile.

Scientists believe that strontium works in two ways. It may stimulate the replication of pre-osteoblasts, leading to an increase in osteoblasts (cells that build bone). Strontium also directly inhibits the activity of osteoclasts (cells that break down bone). The result is stronger bones.

When taking strontium, be sure to take 1200 mg calcium, 1000 IU vitamin D3, and 500 mg magnesium daily. It is best to take strontium late at night on an empty stomach. Calcium and strontium may compete with each other for absorption if taken together.