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Strontium Citrate & Osteoporosis

The rise in osteoporosis has led scientists to search for new methods to treat the disease that causes porous, brittle bones, particularly in women as they age.

  1. What is Strontium Citrate?

    • Strontium citrate is an over-the-counter supplement marketed to women as a bone health supplement.

    How Strontium Citrate Is Thought to Work

    • Anecdotally, strontium citrate is thought to prevent risk of osteoporosis bone breaks by increasing bone density and cartilage strength.

    Side Effects of Osteoporosis Medicines

    • The class of drugs that prevent bone loss have had objectionable side effects, such as nausea, inflammation of the esophagus, aches and fever, as well as bone loss and tissue death in the jaw, among others.

    Supplement Trials Have Begun

    • The Department of Internal Medicine at UC Davis began a study in February 2009 to test whether over-the-counter supplements such as strontium citrate could positively affect bone health with positive effects as strong as prescription medicines.

    Osteoporosis Drug Containing Strontium

    • Another drug that is already on the market contains strontium in the form of strontium ranelate and works by both adding bone mass and decreasing loss of bone cells.

    Other Bone Loss Prevention

    • Researcher Ray Sahelian recommends the supplements calcium and vitamin D in combination with exercise in order to prevent bone loss.

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