Strontium citrate, fractures and lack of research
I am looking to see if there are any studies done that show a reduced chance of fracture from using Strontium citrate (Algaecal) as opposed to calcium. Everything I have read only mentions increase of density using it. Does anyone have doctor input or a study showing an decrease in bone fractures?
***Director's Note:***
There’s not enough clinical research to know if strontium citrate effectively prevents or treats osteoporosis. Mayo Clinic does not recomend its use. Clinically researched osteoporosis medications have demonstrated fracture prevention benefit with less risk.
The FDA doesn’t regulate supplements in the same way as prescription drugs, so it's not possible to know if if they are safe or work well or even how much of the main ingredient they contain.
If you wish to take a strontium supplement, it is advised to discuss with your doctor.
All information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.
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I am interested in knowing how hard Strontium is on kidneys. I try to get all my calcium from milk, yogurt, cheese, leafy greens etc.
Yes, there were some studies with rats that showed a risk of bone cancer. I have not seen any research to back this up with humans. But the warning was on the Tymlos site, at least at one time.
https://tymlos.com/
Research:
" the initial phase 3 trials of the bone anabolic drug teriparatide were stopped because of a preclinical finding of osteosarcoma in rats treated with high doses of teriparatide for near lifetime. Even so, teriparatide was observed to reduce fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and showed efficacy and tolerability in the phase 3 program and in subsequent studies with a positive benefit to risk profile. Based on the phase 3 results, additional preclinical findings, and with risk mitigations, the agent was approved for use. Subsequent studies including in real‐world settings have not identified an increased risk of osteosarcoma in humans, and the label has been updated and adjusted, including removal of the boxed warning and a revision of the 2‐year lifetime limitation. Thus, observational studies with large sample sizes using real‐world data can be an important and efficient strategy for generating evidence in support of regulatory decision making and significant label updates."
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9465003/
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1 ReactionThis illustrates the importance of reporting adverse reaction. If not reported, they do not get added to the "real-world data".
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1 ReactionWith kidneys, the question seems to be, as it is with basically all drugs and supplements, "how healthy are the kidneys?".
Strontium, other supplements and drugs taken by mouth, are secreted by the kidneys. If the kidneys don't work, then drugs, supplements, and yes, strontium may build up.
As with any drug or supplement you need to be careful with accumulation if you have renal insufficiency .
The strontium ranelate site has this breakdn of use with kidney impairment:
"strontium ranelate is not recommended for patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance below 30 ml/min).
No dose adjustment is required in patients with mild-to-moderate renal impairment (30-70 ml/min creatinine clearance)."
This might be a good base line for use of strontium citrate, just to be safe, but as with many supplements, no one has spent the money to check.
It is always best to ask your doctor.
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3 ReactionsI followed the Duquesne University study of strontium citrate with other micro nutrients. I only use 340 mg and reversed my osteoporosis to osteopenia in a year. The study was very involved in study of the bone cells.
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2 ReactionsI have just bought it . So was thinking should I take it or not . Did you have any adverse effects after taking strontium? Did the strontium have positive effects for you ? Thank you
Congratulations on moving to osteopenia from osteoporosis! I am considering taking strontium citrate. Do you mind if I ask what your bone density score was before and after? And did you experience any side effects from it? Also what was the brand you took?
@kathleen1314 , I am late coming to this discussion about strontium. I was told there were cardiovascular risks associated with its use, but now I am wondering whether the risks were solely associated with strontium ranelate or also with strontium citrate. Can you offer any clarification?
@kathleen1314 Can you please tell me which product contains therapeutic doses of strontium (you mention 680 mg daily, transitioning to maintenance of 340 mg)? I would love to hear if there is one you can recommend. Pardon if this already has been discussed; I'm coming late to this thread.
I don’t remember the values right now. The interesting thing was I was taking prednisone for many years and I’m still taking it despite being on prednisone. I was still able to improve my bone density. I didn’t notice any side effects of anything that I took. I actually drew from two studies. The other study was in Canada. I did not take fish oil because it lowers my blood sugar and I have low blood sugar. I stopped taking strontium when I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation because I was put on heart meds and I was afraid to mix them however, strontium is everywhere in the soil to greater or lesser degrees, so it is a natural substance. It has been postulated that, because we use artificial fertilizers commercially in this country, our diet doesn’t have natural strontium in it, and perhaps that has contributed to so much osteoporosis. Pure Encapsulations was actually the brand used for this study. I only used 340ng and it was enough.