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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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@kathleen1314 Any studies on Stontium Citrate as Strontium Ranelate is not used anymore?
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1 Reaction@vagirl57 I am confused about why a drug rep might tell your doctor that melatonin is a natural product with no side effects. Melatonin is over the counter. Were you being prescribed melatonin?
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1 Reaction@loplady I tried the Strontium Boost by Algae cal, but hat a bad reaction. I can't prove it was the strontium boost, but about 30 minutes after taking, I had heart palpitations. Lasted about 15 minutes, but certain it was the strontium as I took nothing else before bed.
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3 Reactions@loplady
Strontium RAnelate continues to be used in Europe.
All studies on strontium of any kind are studies on strontium; the additives are important when you consider side effects but strontium is the only bone builder in strontium ranelate or strontium citrate.
There is more research on strontium via ranelate because it has a multi million dollar pharma stake behind it; strontium citrate is just a supplement, but there is some research. I will do a quick copy and paste below so there may be duplicates here, plus I will not try to copy and paste all the uses in dental and surgical implants.
Strontium citate studies:
Mots/ComB overview:
https://strontiumforbones.blogspot.com/2017/02/mots-and-comb-study-comparison.html
Algaecal study:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21492428/
Mirza study:
https://strontiumforbones.blogspot.com/2018/02/bmd-increases-by-varying-amounts-with.html
Moise study:
https://strontiumforbones.blogspot.com/2014/10/monitoring-bone-strontium-intake-in.html
Another:
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/bdce/ac5e3fae890f6dd1902cb45734b96433b165.pdf
One on rabbits:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/lary.26623
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28485552/
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3 Reactions@blueberre
Many times the side effects for a supplement might be traced to the additives. You might try the AOR brand; they have the fewest additives in the strontium brands with which I am acquainted.
It is rare but not unheard of for strontium to cause side effects. We know this because most of the world's ground water and seafood contains strontium, some at very high levels. Still, the therapeutic dose can make a difference even though some areas of the world have higher levels than this in their ground water.
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2 Reactions@kathleen1314 Thank you!!
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1 Reaction@kathleen1314 Serious question, why are people like Keith McCormick, Dr. John Neustadt, Dr. Doug Lucas against Strontium? Two have their own supplements but they could add Strontium to their offerings. Dr. Neustadt said in a recent podcast with Doug Lucas that he doesn't like it because it skews a Dexa and he wants an accurate Dexa. That's it?
@kathleen1314
I may have missed this. Which strontium do you take?
All strontium is the same strontium in terms of bone building ability.
What differs are the additives and the monitoring bodies. I have used AOr monitored by the Canadian government, similar to a drug and containing few additives; I have used vitacost brand which is at a good price point.
I try to use a product that is just strontium citrate with few additives.
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2 Reactions@loplady Would the problem of Strontium causing inaccurate DEXA results be eliminated if patient discontinued taking Strontium 24 hours, possibly longer, before their DEXA scan---like taking calcium or iron needs to be discontinued 24 hours before a DEXA?
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