Has anyone treated their osteoporosis without drugs?

@rabbits55
New Chapter calcium supplements (which I take) does not "add" strontium. Their calcium is plant based from algae and the strontium in their tablets is naturally occurring in the algae. The amount of strontium per dose is only a trace amount of 5.5mg. Search Assist on-line says: "5.5 mg is a small measurement, often used to quantify medication dosages or nutritional values. It is equivalent to 0.0055 grams, which is a very tiny amount in practical terms."

I checked into AlgaeCal regular calcium pills. Their bottle doesn't list the strontium content, but when I contacted the company they said the amount of strontium is also very small and comes from the algae and the amount varies depending on the algae that is sourced. I believe they have another calcium supplement that contains added strontium.

@lamd yes, I take the 3 pills a day in addition to the collagen. I do not know yet what the results will be until my next scan. I am also taking Tymlos so it will be hard to tease out. In the book, Great Bones McCormick writes extensively about various supplements that have evidence of being helpful.
I haven’t looked specifically at the Thorne advances bone support or the pure encapsulation calcium, but those are both good brands and third party verified.
It is frustrating that we have to research all this on our own. The mantra is always “ask your doctor” but all my doctor knows about is calcium and vitamin D, and I don’t think that can be the whole story.
Best of luck to you on your journey!

Edited to add-
When you are looking at the osteonaturals label remember that the amount of the nutrients listed is for all 3 pills. 3 pills is considered to be one dose. That’s o e of the things I liked about it - no mega doses of anything.

@daisy17 Thanks for the info. During my visit with my endocrinologist he looked up the ingredients for New Chapter calcium and said to choose something else without strontium. Advertisers may not be a safe source for info on their own products. I know a few years ago a big part of Algae Cal's advertising campaign was "guaranteed to improve Dexa scan scores" or something to that effect. The way they're able to make that claim is because due to the strontium (added or naturally occurring) the scans can show a change in bone density but it's not because the bones are actually any stronger. There are other plant based, even algae specific calcium supplements that don't have strontium. It's up to us to be diligent with research on what goes into our bodies as both Big Pharma and the natural supplement industry are about profits.

@johnbishop I've been trying a few different products but right now I'm taking Solaray calcium citrate with vitamin D3. I try to use chelated calcium and have tried other algae sourced calcium but those are more expensive. My doctor advises any calcium citrate as best for absorption but of course he is an MD not a nutrition expert. It falls on us to do a lot of the research for what ultimately works best for our bone health. Glad to have this forum so we can learn from each other! I recently moved so my budget is much tighter than usual but when I find a better product I'll be sure to post it here. Best to you!

@rabbits55 I'm old enough to remember back in the 50s we were warned one summer not to drink milk, because it contained strontium 90. The Russians were testing the A bomb and the fall out was in the wind and drifted across the US. Also I am leery of folks who are offering advice and also selling supplements. I am 86 and attend a Pilates class 2 x a week. I am adding resistance training to that which is good for bone building. Check with your doctor first. I have tried Fosamax, Reclast infusions, & 1 Prolia shot. Unfortunately, the side affects were too hard to handle. I take Calcium and D3 in the amounts my doctor suggests. Recently I have added Prunes for additional natural calcium. I sneak in as much vitamin K as I can. I'm on blood thinner and have to watch the K. Good luck to you.

@jasperina
Thanks, I appreciate your response. Are you taking both the osteo stim and osteo sustain? My doc really doesn’t believe in supplements, as you say beyond maybe D and calcium. She told me not to waste my money on them, but although I don’t believe they will fix everything, depending on the cause of someone’s osteoporosis, they could be an important piece of the puzzle.

what kind of calcium supplements should I take carbonate or citrate?

@lamd today’s members’ bulletin from ConsumerLabs features very useful info about bone supplements that they tested extensively, in effect being 3rd party testing for a number of well-known brands.

@rabbits55
I understand that high amounts of strontium in supplements can affect DEXA results, but believe the trace amounts in New Chapter are not a concern. Trace amounts of strontium occur naturally in our drinking water, seafood and many other foods, so everyone consumes trace amounts of strontium through their diet.

This article says, "Since strontium comes from the soil, it accumulates in most plants. However, it is difficult to pin down the amount of strontium in plant-based foods. It depends on the soil where foods are grown, and the water with which they are prepared. Root vegetables like beets, carrots, turnips, rutabagas, radishes, garlic and parsnips tend to have higher amounts of strontium. It is especially concentrated in the peel. Strontium also concentrates in the bran of grains. Whole grains will be a better food source than refined flour products. Seafood picks up strontium from the water where it lives. Shellfish have the highest concentration of strontium." https://wholestorynutrition.com/what-foods-have-strontium/

@acmuceus Fosamax does not break down bone. In fact, its mechanism of action is to inhibit osteoclasts which are the cells responsible for bone breakdown. Please discuss this with your doctor or pharmacists. Friends may be well meaning, but they can tell us all sorts of things. It doesn't make it true. This is not an endorsement of any drug or to say it is right for you. Only you together with qualified medical professionals can decide that.