The Strontium Debate: Is it good for bone health?

Posted by meomurian @meomurian, Feb 20, 2023

Is anyone taking strontium for bone health? My husband is reading studies on its benefits. I am currently getting Prolia injections 2x/year.

***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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Profile picture for jaynedanco @jaynedanco

I had taken AlgaeCal and Strontium years back and it did not do enough for me and still needed the meds. I still take AlgaeCal (it's been a good 10 years) along with my osteoporosis meds as the calcium does not bother me as do other calciums. AlgaeCal claims that people can build bone just by using their products, I did not have that experience, but I do think that AlgaeCal - actually I use AlgaeCal Plus - is a good product but expensive.

Jump to this post

You are right about the AlgaeCal being expensive. Thanks for your response. Out of curiosity, what osteoporosis drugs did you end up taking?

REPLY
Profile picture for karenolivia47 @karenolivia47

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.

Jump to this post

I have just started Algae Cal & I pray to have the results you are
Thank you for sharing.
It's encouraging

REPLY
Profile picture for karenolivia47 @karenolivia47

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.

Jump to this post

I have had two separate physicians say to not take osteo cal with strontium but osteo cal plus is ok. My rheumatologist said no to Algie cal collegen with fortibone. She said two patients of hers developed lupus after taking it. There are two many advertisements targeting people with osteoporosis and it is hard to discern what really works and what doesn’t isn’t it?

REPLY
Profile picture for wews @wews

I have had two separate physicians say to not take osteo cal with strontium but osteo cal plus is ok. My rheumatologist said no to Algie cal collegen with fortibone. She said two patients of hers developed lupus after taking it. There are two many advertisements targeting people with osteoporosis and it is hard to discern what really works and what doesn’t isn’t it?

Jump to this post

Yes! It is really hard to discern not only what works but is relatively safe. And you're pretty much on your own. Until 15 months ago when I started taking AlgaeCal with Strontium neither my primary care doc nor the endocrinologist had ever heard of them.

REPLY
Profile picture for karenolivia47 @karenolivia47

Yes! It is really hard to discern not only what works but is relatively safe. And you're pretty much on your own. Until 15 months ago when I started taking AlgaeCal with Strontium neither my primary care doc nor the endocrinologist had ever heard of them.

Jump to this post

Yes they say take 1200 mg of calcium a day through food and supplements but it is hard. There are so many products Also eating a lot of protein is supported to help. Also your body only absorbs 500Mg of calcium at a time so buying supplements with higher doses is a waste of money.

REPLY
Profile picture for gailseek @gailseek

I have just started Algae Cal & I pray to have the results you are
Thank you for sharing.
It's encouraging

Jump to this post

I know I posted a number of things and I don't understand why none of it has any responses? Anyways much is to give a little update for my own experience. I've been taking algaecal Plus for about 10 years and I didn't one time take the strontium with it. It did not do enough for me. I still needed meds. But I still am taking the algaecal Plus as I have no problems with that calcium and have problems with the others. Just thought I'd share that

REPLY
Profile picture for jaynedanco @jaynedanco

I know I posted a number of things and I don't understand why none of it has any responses? Anyways much is to give a little update for my own experience. I've been taking algaecal Plus for about 10 years and I didn't one time take the strontium with it. It did not do enough for me. I still needed meds. But I still am taking the algaecal Plus as I have no problems with that calcium and have problems with the others. Just thought I'd share that

Jump to this post

Just curious--why didn't you take the strontium too?

REPLY
Profile picture for karenolivia47 @karenolivia47

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.

Jump to this post

Yes, thank you for sharing your experience. My numbers are similar to yours & I was scared into taking the Evenity drug. Just before Evenity I had discovered AlgaeCal & Strontium thru my integrative Dr. I did not tolerate AlgaeCal--possibly the type of magnesium or calcium they include. Now I take a trace mineral product that has the same ingredients except calcium & magnesium. That way I can take the type & quantities that work for me (cheaper, too). I started taking Life Extensions Strontium Citrate (only 2 tabs as 3 would be too much according to all the research), but switched to VitaCost and Swanson (always looking for those w/the fewest fillers). Crazy, but I felt stronger in just a few months & my ankle quit making the cracking noise when I would climb stairs. Of course, I had to stop taking Strontium when I started Evenity.

My hope/plan is to return to Strontium Citrate after Evenity, but I already know that my Dr will not approve. There are several other forums & medical publications that support the use & efficacy of Strontium w/no side effects even after long-term use. I'd like my dr's 'blessing', but I doubt I'll get it.

REPLY
Profile picture for singingbones @singingbones

Yes, thank you for sharing your experience. My numbers are similar to yours & I was scared into taking the Evenity drug. Just before Evenity I had discovered AlgaeCal & Strontium thru my integrative Dr. I did not tolerate AlgaeCal--possibly the type of magnesium or calcium they include. Now I take a trace mineral product that has the same ingredients except calcium & magnesium. That way I can take the type & quantities that work for me (cheaper, too). I started taking Life Extensions Strontium Citrate (only 2 tabs as 3 would be too much according to all the research), but switched to VitaCost and Swanson (always looking for those w/the fewest fillers). Crazy, but I felt stronger in just a few months & my ankle quit making the cracking noise when I would climb stairs. Of course, I had to stop taking Strontium when I started Evenity.

My hope/plan is to return to Strontium Citrate after Evenity, but I already know that my Dr will not approve. There are several other forums & medical publications that support the use & efficacy of Strontium w/no side effects even after long-term use. I'd like my dr's 'blessing', but I doubt I'll get it.

Jump to this post

to @singingbones
Indeed, if one wants to take medicine like strontium, which is not in the list of officially recommended, one cannot have dr´s approval. It makes it a psychologically difficult decision.
One must have a lot of courage. I for example, bought Strontium Citrate but did not have a courage to start it.
In your case, I think that if you already started Evenity that hopefully will have a strong effect, would it have sense after it to come back to Strontium ?

REPLY
Profile picture for melia7 @melia7

to @singingbones
Indeed, if one wants to take medicine like strontium, which is not in the list of officially recommended, one cannot have dr´s approval. It makes it a psychologically difficult decision.
One must have a lot of courage. I for example, bought Strontium Citrate but did not have a courage to start it.
In your case, I think that if you already started Evenity that hopefully will have a strong effect, would it have sense after it to come back to Strontium ?

Jump to this post

I'm still doing my research, but so far I see no reason to not return to Strontium after the year on Evenity. There seems to be a bit of a blunting effect initially whenever one product or drug is used following another as they tend to stay present in the bones for a while. But the discussion forums and recommended medical publications are impressive. And yes, hopefully Evenity will have done what it's supposed to do in light of the aches & pains that have accompanied this journey.

You're right--it is indeed a psychologically difficult decision. Check out the Strontium discussions on Inspire.com. You might find them helpful as well as this forum.

Did you decide to take a bone drug instead?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.