Strontium citrate (Algaecal) and fractures

Posted by pami @pami, Apr 15, 2024

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?

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Profile picture for katgirl @katgirl

I thought I read somewhere on this forum that taking strontium makes your Dexa scores invalid because strontium absorbs the x-rays from the Dexa more than calcium. So, your t-scores appear to have improved, when your bone density hasn't actually improved. It would be interesting to see if the people having the improved t-scores after taking Algae-cal showed improvement when a REMS Echolight scan was used instead (which doesn't depend on x-rays.). I'm not for or agains Algae-Cal BTW. But I remember someone saying that Dexa scores had to be adjusted if you took strontium.

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That’s a very good question. I would also like to know this.

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Profile picture for karenjaninaz @karenjaninaz

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22291722/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28130552/
I incorporated the mcronutrients from these 2 studies except for melatonin, dha.
I was too weak to exercise but my bone density improved. Lots of dietary calcium.

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That melatonin study is fascinating It sort of jives with what David Sinclair says in Life Span about those brown cells. I take melatonin now and then but will do it more regularly Thanks Here is the study I find more interesting https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12035697/

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Profile picture for sl303 @sl303

That melatonin study is fascinating It sort of jives with what David Sinclair says in Life Span about those brown cells. I take melatonin now and then but will do it more regularly Thanks Here is the study I find more interesting https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12035697/

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This study appears to have been funded and run totally by the developer, Ag-Novo. Are there any independent studies reporting the same results?

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Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

This study appears to have been funded and run totally by the developer, Ag-Novo. Are there any independent studies reporting the same results?

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I know, it's weird. Also I contacted one guy I saw at the company, said "where can I get this," and nothing back.

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Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

Since this question has repeatedly been discussed on the forum, and I have found no independent, scientific, peer reviewed study of Algaecal to give you as a reference, I went on a deep dive into the research of Strontium and its bone-building mechanism.
I found two very recent, apparently independent studies of how strontium is used by the body.

The first, "The Influence of Strontium on Bone Tissue Metabolism and Its Application in Osteoporosis Treatment" ( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8235140/ ) provided the following details:
"The recommended dose for treatment of osteoporosis is 2 g of strontium ranelate daily, taken as an oral suspension [40]. In clinical trials, the above dose was used for three years, and in follow-up studies, long-term results were noted after treatment lasting 5 to 10 years [41]. Strontium ranelate was, at one point, withdrawn from treatment due to reports of serious side effects. Information has emerged about the growth of cardiovascular risk and non-fatal myocardial infarctions. Recently, the EMA (European Medicines Agency) has issued an overview of how strontium ranelate can be used with many restrictions on its use..."

Later in the article they add: "Orally administered strontium ranelate does not significantly affect bone formation in vivo because it does not reach a sufficient concentration near this tissue, assuming a standard drug supply and a normal calcium-rich diet."

The conclusion by these scientists: "The mechanism of action of strontium is still not fully understood, which is a significant problem in modern science. However, the research that has been conducted to date has brought us closer to understanding the mechanism by which strontium ions work in the bone formation process. It seems that administering Sr locally can be very effective, with fewer side effects than systemic administration, and it can significantly improve the osseointegration of bone implants."
Later in the article they add: "Orally administered strontium ranelate does not significantly affect bone formation in vivo because it does not reach a sufficient concentration near this tissue, assuming a standard drug supply and a normal calcium-rich diet."

The takeaway - high doses of strontium, 2 grams per day in oral suspension, provided good benefits, but not without significant risks. Research continues...

A new article : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167732224000151 - is a PRELIMINARY study of how to influence the uptake of strontium at the cellular level in humans

So, what about AlgaeCal & it's companion Strontium Boost? The basic AlgaeCal supplement contains Calcium from algae, magnesium, vitamin D3 and a trace of strontium along with a number of other trace minerals. (https://www.algaecal.com/products/algaecal-basic/) AlgaeCal Strontium Boost contains 680 mg of strontium in capsule form, to be taken once a day. That is one-third the amount in the study referenced above, and not a liquid suspension.

The bottom line -
There is developing evidence that the form of calcium in red algae (algas calcareas)and other forms are more "bio-available" than calcium carbonate and calcium citrate.
Strontium still offers big questions because consuming large amounts can have side effects.
Only you can decide whether the price tag on the AlgaeCal products are worthwhile for you - I think there company offers a money-back guarantee with certain limitations. Or whether you can find other less expensive algae-based supplements that have been tested for purity.

Sue

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@sueinmn
Is the information about the AlgaeCal Product found on the National Library of Medicine
and PubMed web sites valid?

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As far as I know, articles are still valid unless withdrawn. But, this is dated data, and not based on any controlled study. A further search of Google Scholar shows no scientific studies of AlgaeCal specifically, although there is some evidence that the micronutrients in algae-based calcium contribute to improved bone health.

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Profile picture for sl303 @sl303

That melatonin study is fascinating It sort of jives with what David Sinclair says in Life Span about those brown cells. I take melatonin now and then but will do it more regularly Thanks Here is the study I find more interesting https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12035697/

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@sl303 I was using melatonin prior to my osteoporosis diagnosis, Then a read a study that melatonin had an association with heart failure risk. I don't know what to believe at this point. The studies on melatonin gave fairly dramatic improvements with osteoporosis. Given that I was taking it regularly before my diagnosis, I am not sure. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/long-term-use-of-melatonin-supplements-to-support-sleep-may-have-negative-health-effects

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Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

Since this question has repeatedly been discussed on the forum, and I have found no independent, scientific, peer reviewed study of Algaecal to give you as a reference, I went on a deep dive into the research of Strontium and its bone-building mechanism.
I found two very recent, apparently independent studies of how strontium is used by the body.

The first, "The Influence of Strontium on Bone Tissue Metabolism and Its Application in Osteoporosis Treatment" ( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8235140/ ) provided the following details:
"The recommended dose for treatment of osteoporosis is 2 g of strontium ranelate daily, taken as an oral suspension [40]. In clinical trials, the above dose was used for three years, and in follow-up studies, long-term results were noted after treatment lasting 5 to 10 years [41]. Strontium ranelate was, at one point, withdrawn from treatment due to reports of serious side effects. Information has emerged about the growth of cardiovascular risk and non-fatal myocardial infarctions. Recently, the EMA (European Medicines Agency) has issued an overview of how strontium ranelate can be used with many restrictions on its use..."

Later in the article they add: "Orally administered strontium ranelate does not significantly affect bone formation in vivo because it does not reach a sufficient concentration near this tissue, assuming a standard drug supply and a normal calcium-rich diet."

The conclusion by these scientists: "The mechanism of action of strontium is still not fully understood, which is a significant problem in modern science. However, the research that has been conducted to date has brought us closer to understanding the mechanism by which strontium ions work in the bone formation process. It seems that administering Sr locally can be very effective, with fewer side effects than systemic administration, and it can significantly improve the osseointegration of bone implants."
Later in the article they add: "Orally administered strontium ranelate does not significantly affect bone formation in vivo because it does not reach a sufficient concentration near this tissue, assuming a standard drug supply and a normal calcium-rich diet."

The takeaway - high doses of strontium, 2 grams per day in oral suspension, provided good benefits, but not without significant risks. Research continues...

A new article : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167732224000151 - is a PRELIMINARY study of how to influence the uptake of strontium at the cellular level in humans

So, what about AlgaeCal & it's companion Strontium Boost? The basic AlgaeCal supplement contains Calcium from algae, magnesium, vitamin D3 and a trace of strontium along with a number of other trace minerals. (https://www.algaecal.com/products/algaecal-basic/) AlgaeCal Strontium Boost contains 680 mg of strontium in capsule form, to be taken once a day. That is one-third the amount in the study referenced above, and not a liquid suspension.

The bottom line -
There is developing evidence that the form of calcium in red algae (algas calcareas)and other forms are more "bio-available" than calcium carbonate and calcium citrate.
Strontium still offers big questions because consuming large amounts can have side effects.
Only you can decide whether the price tag on the AlgaeCal products are worthwhile for you - I think there company offers a money-back guarantee with certain limitations. Or whether you can find other less expensive algae-based supplements that have been tested for purity.

Sue

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@sueinmn strontium citrate not ranelate is the type of strontium used in the Algaecal products.

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Profile picture for rnrnrn55 @rnrnrn55

Strontium citrate and algaecal are 2 separate entities. I use algaecal plus and strontium. I do not take together as per instructions

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@rnrnrn55 have you read that the strontium crests a false Dexa score as well as mimics but doesn’t actually build bone density? This is a concern for me. I have actually ceased use of this brands products. Researched and found XYMOGEN Ossopan 1100 - Supports Bone Strength + Bone Health - Calcium Supplement with Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite, Phosphorus which is a bone‑matrix supplement rather than a simple calcium salt or algae powder, aiming to deliver calcium and phosphorus in a physiologic ratio along with structural proteins and signaling factors.
Just sharing information. Not trying to tell anyone what to take.

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Profile picture for hermajesty26 @hermajesty26

@rnrnrn55 have you read that the strontium crests a false Dexa score as well as mimics but doesn’t actually build bone density? This is a concern for me. I have actually ceased use of this brands products. Researched and found XYMOGEN Ossopan 1100 - Supports Bone Strength + Bone Health - Calcium Supplement with Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite, Phosphorus which is a bone‑matrix supplement rather than a simple calcium salt or algae powder, aiming to deliver calcium and phosphorus in a physiologic ratio along with structural proteins and signaling factors.
Just sharing information. Not trying to tell anyone what to take.

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@hermajesty26
Supposedly they can correct for the extra density provided by the Strontium but I do not know the details as that would seem to vary by how much of the calcium has been replaced by strontium. That would seem to me to be individual dependent.

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