What helps improve osteoporosis without medication?

Welcome @rhodee. Can you clarify what you information you are looking for?

I was thinking the same thing about the strontium inclusion. When I get a chance, will read the actual research and see if it's mentioned. Also the DHA is news to me. It's a small sample group but potentially, maybe, interesting result.

I might have missed this but what is the COMB study? Thanks...

I am like you ...do not want to take drugs with horrible side effects .my goal is to maintain my dexa scan at what it is...pretty bad ..I take algaecal and they went up on the price but beats paying the price of the big pharma..we just need to work to keep our numbers and not get worse. Exercise and natural supplements is what I am doing and hope it works..next dexa in January..

Hi @callalloo, Here's the link to "Combination of MicroNutrients for Bone (COMB) Study: Bone Density After Micronutrient Intervention."

So 81% were post-menopausal and the strontium citrate dose was 680mg, considered therapeutic in the integrative medicine world.

There is a discussion of how strontium replaces calcium, but no reference to how this affects the DEXA (since strontium is denser than calcium).

Here is the discussion:

Since strontium is a metal in the same group of periodic elements as calcium, it has been recognized that strontium in high concentrations may displace and replace calcium in bone by heteroionic exchange [54], a phenomenon which has elicited disparaging regard for strontium therapy among some bone specialists. Rather than an increased BMD, however, this physiochemical process in the presence of excessive strontium ultimately results in decreased bone calcium content [55], dissolution of mineralized bone [56], disruption of bone architecture [57], and lower BMD [58]. This phenomenon only appears to be the consequence of disproportionately high doses of strontium intake, not regular supplemental levels at low dose.

At low supplemental doses of strontium, in fact, there is evidence of an increase in both the bone formation rate and the trabecular bone density related to a strontium-induced stimulation of osteoblastic activity [58]. Furthermore, at low doses, strontium is not associated with any mineralization defect or any increase in the number of active bone-resorbing cells [59, 60]. In addition, it has recently been found that the mechanism of strontium benefit may also involve a calcium preservation effect as the rate of calcium release was almost halved after strontium treatment was assessed in recent research on teeth [61]. Finally, strontium supplementation, unlike use of calcium supplementation, shows ability to recalcify osteopenic areas in pathological bone conditions characterized by accelerated bone loss and extensive demineralization [58, 62].

Thanks for sharing this. What is considered low dose for strontium? Where is this discussion referenced from?

It's from the link posted by @tsc just above my post, to which I was replying.

I assume 680mg is not considered "low dose" since the report hypothesizes that it is helpful for bones.

I am skeptical of this report since there is no mention of the effect of strontium on DEXA scores.

I am not for or against strontium use at this point. I tried it 15 years ago, briefly, and might consider it after Tymlos and Reclast or even for maintenance after Tymlos, if studies show it is safe.

Strontium ranelate was taken off the market in Europe for safety concerns about clots and other cardiovascular effects but it seems it is now allowed for those without those risks. US manufacturers like Doctor's Best stopped making strontium citrate for awhile. I am not sure of the current status.

Strontium use is sometimes, perhaps, driven by fear of meds. I shared those fears, and also could not tolerate Fosamax or Forteo. But I am a big fan of Tymlos now (starting at a low dose) With fractures and severe DEXA score, I would not use a slower, gentler supplement like strontium but once stable I may look into it.

Do you know much about algaecal I do not want to take meds. Did for a while. Was awful side effects.

Do A LOT of research on strontium. It shows great progress for bone but the side effects can be heart and clotting issues. It is used a lot in the UK but the clotting freaked me out. Do your reading on that supplement.
There is LOTS of info on K2 thst can be safe and effective. Also the calcium from Hydroxyapatite shows big benefits! Welcome to the world of internet searching. Full time job!
Good luck and stay safe.