The Strontium Debate: Is it good for bone health?

I have just got a bone scan and it came that I have severe osteoporosi. I am thinking of taking algae cal and strontium plus to increase my bone density vs the injections,,,any thoughts

Thank you for relating your experience. What was/ is your dose of strontium? I'm about to take this path to increase bone density.

I just watched the latest Video of Dr. Doug Lucas and Dr. John Neustadt where they talk about Strontium, which neither recommend, K2 MK4 vs K2 Mk7 and Calcium. Here it is if you'd like to watch it. This gives me pause about taking Strontium. The discussion about Strontium starts at 13:35.

I had three doses of Fosamax in June, 2024. After the third dose I developed ilial tibial band syndrome--probably the worst pain I've had since childbirth! Mercifully, it disappeared soon after and I never took another dose. In researching non-drug options I came across OsteoStrong and AlgaeCal with Strontium. I started both about 15 months ago. In May, 2024 my lumbar spine was -4.1. Now it is -2.9. Left hip has improved from -2.6 to -2.0--in 15 months. My endocrinologist is STILL pushing Reclast! I'd appreciate thoughts from you all, please.

@loplady
Which information which they discussed on that video did you find to give you pause?

@kathleen1314 If strontium is basically the same whether is is citrate or Ranelate, the documented side effects of strontium citrate would be the same as Ranelate. The side effects could be the same. Also, K2 MK4 has a better fracture reduction rate and no bad side effects, studied a lot and used in Japan for years at the 45mg dose. I just found an AOR supplement that has 15mg per capsule and THINK I am going to try that for the 45mg dose. I will take it 3x/day. I know and understand many of you take Strontium with no side effects and good results.

@kathleen1314 If strontium is basically the same whether is is citrate or Ranelate, the documented side effects of strontium citrate would be the same as Ranelate. The side effects could be the same. Also, K2 MK4 has a better fracture reduction rate and no bad side effects, studied a lot and used in Japan for years at the 45mg dose. I just found an AOR supplement that has 15mg per capsule and THINK I am going to try that for the 45mg dose. I will take it 3x/day. I know and understand many of you take Strontium with no side effects and good results.

@loplady
Here is a post which I recently did on MK4 and Mk7. on Inspire:
https://www.inspire.com/m/Kathleen1314/journal/7c2651-mk4-and-mk7-research-and-studies-affecting-bone-health-vitamin-k/
Beginning paragraphs of the post:
"Vit K is a frequent topic on Inspire.

MK4 is actually used as a prescription in Japan as a treatment for Osteoporosis. Mk4 has a solid body of research supporting its fracture prevention. The problem is that it seems that Mk4 does not stay in the system very long while Mk7 has a longer life in our bodies, but Mk7 does not have the body of evidence which Mk4 has in terms of bone health.

Said another way: While MK4 has more extensive clinical trials specifically for fracture reduction, proponents of MK7 argue it is more effective at lower nutritional doses and provides more consistent activation of bone-building proteins. Some providers suggest using both Mk4 and Mk7 together to provide a well rounded attack."

@loplady
Firstly, to quantify my reply. The below is based on my experience and research of about 30years. Links to research at the bottom of the reply. Sharing with your doctor and discussing this is always best.

Ok, take a deep breath and let's talk Research 101, how it works and what it means to us in this particular case of strontium ranelate vs strontium citrate.

The distinction exists between pharmacology (the strontium drug's effect) and toxicology (the side effects). Scientists view these two substances as different, as "cousins" that share a muscle (strontium) but wear different armor (ranelate vs citrate). They are studied in different and overlapping ways.

Bioequivalence also plays a role. Think of a generic vs a brand name drug; the two are considered bioequivalent or acting the same but may have different side effects because of their different carriers.

When research is conducted on any form of strontium the studied effect of bone health is the same and easily transferred to all strontium.

The difference occurs in the additives and the carrier (ranelate/citrate etc) and how it might affect the active ingredient (strontium). Indeed, some differences are found in absorption from the citrate to the ranelate.

Here is a tortured metaphor for strontium vs citrate vs ranelate:
Think of a "Driver vs. The Car" analogy:

The Driver (Strontium): This is the active ingredient that actually strengthens the bone. Whether it arrives to your body in a "Citrate car" or a "Ranelate car," the passenger (Strontium) is exactly the same once it gets out and goes to work in your body.

The Car (The Carrier): This is the "additive" used to deliver the strontium.

Citrate is like a basic, safe sedan (a natural fruit acid).
Ranelate is like a car with a known mechanical flaw (a synthetic molecule) that research may have linked to rare but serious risks like blood clots. (different population studies disagree)

The Bottom Line: Scientists view the "bone-building" strontium as identical in both products because the driver of strontium is the same, but the "safety risk" is different because one delivery vehicle has "baggage" that the other doesn't. Ranelate is totally different from citrate.

Below bottom line: Tortured metaphor time for Research....To further understand how research works... think of the research process as a 3 story building.

The first floor: the foundation is composed of preclinical and lab studies to study the active ingredient, in this case Strontium. The Finding: Research in this layer shows that the strontium ion itself is what stimulates bone-building cells (osteoblasts) and slows down bone-clearing cells (osteoclasts). At this level, strontium is strontium, regardless of whether it's attached to citrate or ranelate.

The second floor: Clinical trials where the whole item, the pill is studied with the active ingredient (strontium) and the carrier. The Finding: Trials confirm that both versions successfully deliver strontium into the human bloodstream. However, this is often where the first "safety signals" for the carrier (the additive) appear, such as minor digestive issues or skin sensitivity.

The third floor: Population and Post Market Studies: This is the most critical layer for side effects. Scientists look at what happens when thousands of diverse people take the substance for years. The Finding: This "real-world" data is what revealed that Strontium Ranelate might be associated with an increased risk of blood clots and heart issues in some populations. Because Strontium Citrate uses a natural carrier (citric acid) already found in the human body, population data or longitudinal studies on customers hasn't shown those same synthetic-related risks (but no gold level population studies similar to the million dollar ranelate studies have been conducted) .

Now if there are further concerns research will be reconducted as it was with strontium ranelate population studies . This is done to rule out mistakes; in the strontium ranelate population study the mistake seems to be that people with existing heart problems were part of the population study and the population study found, viola, heart problems. Additional and better conducted studies have found no connection between strontium ranelate and the cardio concerns found in that first study.

This actually happens frequently with research and with population studies. Research has to be redone and better population studies must be conducted. When that does happen research and population studies are repeated and honed to be more precise and therefore accurate.

Compilation of strontium research and posts:
https://www.inspire.com/groups/bone-health-and-osteoporosis/discussion/dd823b-strontium-a-compilation-of-research-and-information/

@kathleen1314 Thanks, I've read that. It states in the hybrid method "Basically, this involves taking Mk4 3 times a day and mk7 once a day. Mk4 45 mg three times a day with some form of fat and mk7 once a day 180–200 mcg with some form of fat." I assume it doesn't not meant to take MK4 45 mg three times daily but rather MK4 15 mg three times daily.