What is Strontium Citrate and what are its uses?

My doctor, a Preventative Medicine Specialist put me on Strontium for my osteoporosis. I want to understand why.
Answer:
Strontium is one of many trace minerals essential for
bone health. It is a divalent cation and is transported
through the body using many of the same transport
molecules and receptors as calcium. Recent research
has highlighted strontium’s potential to support bone
strength and health.Uses For StrontiumBone Support: Strontium supports healthy osteoblast
differentiation and helps to keep osteoclast activity in
balance. Additionally, strontium supplementation supports
healthy collagen formation by osteoblasts, enhancing
bone tensile strength. In a multi-national, prospective
two-year placebo-controlled trial with 353 women,
strontium supplementation maintained healthy vertebrae
integrity as well as healthy bone mineralization. A
three-year placebo-controlled, double blind study with
1,649 postmenopausal women, indicated that a strontium
salt supported healthy vertebrae composition and was
well tolerated. In a preliminary analysis of a three-year
placebo-controlled, double blind study of 5,091
postmenopausal women, strontium supplementation
promoted healthy hip bones.RecommendationsPure Encapsulations recommends 1–3 capsules per day,
in divided doses, with or between meals, away from
calcium-containing foods or supplements.Potential Side Effects Or PrecautionsSince strontium is absorbed using calcium transport
mechanisms, strontium supplements should not be
taken at the same time as calcium supplements or
calcium-containing foods. While supplementing with
strontium, adequate calcium intake should be maintained.
Strontium supplementation may be contraindicated for
individuals with impaired renal function as altered excretion
may have an effect on strontium accumulation and bone
deposition characteristics. If pregnant or lactating, consult
your physician.

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Strontium is a common element which is naturally found in your bones. Studies show supplementation with Strontium in it’s various forms is well tolerated and completely safe. Strontium lies directly below calcium on the periodic table of elements and that makes calcium, strontium and magnesium all in the same chemical family. They are all naturally occurring metals which easily form into stable salts like calcium citrate, magnesium citrate and strontium citrate (used in Strontium BoostTM formula). They also form carbonates, sulfates, lactates and ranelate.As an alkaline earth element, strontium is similar to calcium in its absorption in the gut, incorporation in bone, and elimination from the body through the kidneys. Strontium is naturally present in trace amounts with around 100 micrograms in every gram of bone, so when you supplement with strontium you are simply making more of this element available for incorporation into your bone
A 2004 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that it may be at least as good a treatment for osteoporosis as currently available oral drug therapies including Fosamax (alendronate), Actonel, (risedronate), Evista (raloxifene ),and the injectable hormone Forteo (teriparatide).Post-menopausal women normally lose about 1% of their bone per year, but the Strontium studies are showing 3 year bone growth of 8.1 %! These exciting results were published in large phase three study that followed two other very positive multinational strontium clinicals. In this most recent study, 1,649 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who had had at least one vertebral fracture were randomized to receive either strontium ranelate or placebo for three years. Both groups also took calcium and vitamin D with the strontium to achieve these amazing results.Several forms of strontium are available in the market, but strontium ranelate was used in the study because it was not a common form and hence patentable. Once patents are granted, it is protected so that it makes it worthwhile for a drug company to invest in large clinical studies. Strontium Ranelate has become a new prescription drug called Protelos®. Expect to hear more about this Strontium “drug” in the future.
Fracture rates of the spine are reduced 41%, again favorably comparable to the pharmaceutical agents. In women over 70 years old, data shows that hip fractures are reduced by 36% and vertebral fractures are reduced by 59%. The conclusion by the author-experts assembled from France, Australia, Italy, Poland, England, Hungry, Germany, Denmark, Belgium and the USA was this: “Strontium ranelate given orally at 2 grams daily appears to reduce the risk of vertebral fractures rapidly, effectively and safely among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.”

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