Trying to choose supplements carefully

I have read that strontium improves bone density but does not prevent fractures.

Two studies I read about strontium had less fractures. By the way, I think in New Zealand, but I’m not sure they’re using a different form of strontium ,as a prescription, for osteoporosis.

Hi, I’ve been getting my shots since November.

I have had no side effects. The endocrinologist says on the day I take the shot, and the following two days, to take 1000 mg tylenol and 500 extra of calcium.

Good luck. I hope you have no problems. As someone on this forum once said, often people only post when there are problems with a med or injection - no one posts when it doesn’t bother me, so just trying to do my part here 😊

@jasperina @ans For over 5 months I've been taking their Algae Cal Collagen which claims "4 Patented Collagen Powders Supported by 25 Clinical Studies", mostly because I haven't found anything that has similar documentation. I did get a dexa scan not long before I started this. I have also been on a general health journey, so I'm eating very clean (high protein and fiber, little in the way of processed food, include whole foods daily at every meal, and take a variety of other supplements (eg Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium (glycinate & threonate), a food based multivitamin...and others). I don't supplement with calcium but eat lots of foods that are naturally high in calcium: dark leafy greens, yogurt, kefir, etc. Do I know if it 'works'? Not yet. I will say that their scoop measures out more than one serving per the grams on the package, so unless you weigh each serving don't expect it to last 6 months (I'm a little over 5 months and almost out). It's expensive, even if you pre-order a so-called 6 month supply ($246 or $41/month(...their price for one month on their site is $62! I did try one jar of it from Amazon first so I guess I've taken it for over 6 months total now. Their current price for one jar is $55.80. I did look into their other products and did find the controversy over Strontium a bit off-putting. Currently trying to decide if I want to order another 6 month supply. I have an annual physical coming up in June and will probably get another dexascan. It will be interesting to see if there's any improvement in my osteopenia.

I take a chewable calcium citrate with calcium , vitamins d and k and magnesium by Bariatric Advantage. I am looking into either osteo boost or a vibration plate for building bone. I have my 2nd appt with a bone specialist next Thursday. I have osteopenia. I also go to a exercise class 3 x a week that uses weights.

@az88 Personally, I don't believe in all the supplements, and feel some of them can do more harm than good. That's just my opinion though. I do know that at least two of my doctors have told me not to take calcium supplements. They say there is evidence now that the calcium is more likely to get deposited in your arteries (causing big problems later) than in your bones.

@lylii @az88 I agree that there can be risks from to many calcium supplements. But people whose bones are breaking already have "big problems". Doctors cannot keep up with all of the research, and there is nobody to pay for high quality expensive research on supplements because they cannot be patented.

My doctor DID tell me to take calcium supplements if I could not get 1200 mg from food.

Below is an example paper that gives another view, but this is just one of many sources of information with a variety of takes. Unfortunately most of us have found that we need to research things on our own and not just take what our very-busy doctors say.
Proper Calcium Use: Vitamin K2 as a Promoter of Bone and Cardiovascular Health
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4566462/
EXCERPT: " ... Thus, calcium in tandem with vitamin K2 may well be the solution for bringing necessary bone benefits while circumventing an increased risk for heart disease."

@lylii that is algaecal plus "claim to fame" if you will. It is an algae based calcium so it does NOT get into your arteries. Take a loook and do the research

@lindamaegirl I take a different brand (New Chapter) of algae sourced calcium because I've read it's better, but I also read it doesn't offer any benefits as far as less calcium build-up in arteries. Here is one article about it that says "AlgaeCal, being a calcium supplement derived from marine algae, should be assumed to carry the same cardiovascular risks as traditional calcium supplements until proven otherwise, as no specific evidence differentiates plant-based calcium supplements from conventional calcium carbonate or citrate regarding cardiac safety. " https://www.droracle.ai/articles/776388/does-algaecal-pose-the-same-cardiac-risk-as-traditional

It helps to take Vitamin K along with calcium as it helps direct the calcium to your bones. Regular Algae Cal does not contain Vitamin K, but Algae Cal Plus has 50mcg of Vitamin K2.

@lindamaegirl No need to get mad. I wasn't talking about algaecal - just about regular calcium supplements. I don't know anything about algaecal, and I freely admit that.