340 mg · vegan · gluten-free · 60 caps
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Strontium citrate is the natural, non-prescription form of strontium — an alkaline earth metal chemically similar to calcium. It is the active ingredient in the European prescription drug Protelos (strontium ranelate), which reduced vertebral fracture risk by 41% and hip fracture risk by 36% in clinical trials. Strontium citrate provides the same bone-building element in a dietary supplement form available without prescription.
Strontium has a unique dual mechanism: it stimulates osteoblasts (bone-building cells) to produce more bone matrix, while simultaneously inhibiting osteoclasts (bone-resorbing cells) from breaking down existing bone. It also incorporates into the bone crystal structure (replacing ~1 in 10 calcium atoms), increasing bone mineral density readings. Strontium citrate is approximately 25% elemental strontium by weight.
Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia, individuals who cannot tolerate bisphosphonates, those seeking a non-prescription bone density strategy, and people with a family history of fractures. Relevant for Indian women facing rising osteoporosis rates and limited access to prescription osteoporosis drugs.
People with a history of blood clots or DVT, those with severe kidney disease, pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, individuals with phenylketonuria (if chewable forms contain aspartame). Side effects: Generally well-tolerated. May cause mild stomach upset, diarrhea, or headache. Rarely: skin rash or increased blood clot risk (theoretical, based on ranelate data). Strontium citrate is safer than the prescription ranelate form, which had rare cardiovascular concerns.
A plain-English read of the literature behind this supplement. Not a clinical recommendation.
Key citations: PMID 18432620 (SOTI trial — 41% vertebral fracture reduction, 2004), PMID 19680282 (TROPOS trial — 36% hip fracture reduction, 2008), PMID 20075873 (Strontium ranelate meta-analysis, 2010)
SacredBod's longer take on Strontium Citrate — context the structured blocks above don't capture.
Strontium citrate is the natural form of one of the most powerful bone-building minerals ever discovered — the same element that reduced vertebral fractures by 41% in the landmark European SOTI trial, now available as an affordable dietary supplement.
The SOTI trial (PMID 18432620) randomized 1649 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis to strontium ranelate or placebo for 3 years. Results were extraordinary: a 41% reduction in vertebral fractures at 1 year, increasing to 49% at 3 years. BMD increased by 14.4% at the lumbar spine and 8.3% at the femoral neck.
The TROPOS trial (PMID 19680282) in 5091 women showed a 36% reduction in hip fracture risk and a 16% reduction in non-vertebral fractures. These are among the most impressive results in osteoporosis pharmacotherapy.
A 2010 meta-analysis (PMID 20075873) confirmed that strontium reduces vertebral, non-vertebral, and hip fractures in postmenopausal osteoporosis, with a safety profile superior to bisphosphonates for long-term use.
Strontium citrate provides the same elemental strontium as the prescription ranelate salt, but without the rare cardiovascular side effects that led to European restrictions on ranelate. The citrate form is well-absorbed and safe for daily supplementation.
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