Strontium is a naturally occurring mineral present in water and food. Trace amounts of strontium are found in the human skeleton. Strontium has an affinity for bone and is taken up at the bone matrix crystal surface. The influence of strontium on bone metabolism has been researched since the 1950’s.¹ Studies show that strontium positively affects bone metabolism to promote bone formation and decrease bone resorption, leading to normalized bone density. Strontium citrate is a naturally occurring compound supplying stable strontium that is safe and suitable for consumption as a dietary supplement. (This form of strontium is entirely different from the radioactive and unstable “strontium-90” formed by nuclear fission.)

The role of stable strontium in human bone 

Strontium is found naturally in the human skeleton. The level of strontium in bone tissue is approximately 3.5% of the calcium content of bone.² Strontium taken orally through the diet and from supplements is preferentially incorporated into the teeth and bones. Research suggests that the oral absorption of strontium is dependent on age and decreases with increasing age. Scientists have suggested two methods of absorption of strontium from the gastrointestinal tract: passive diffusion and carrier-mediated absorption. In adults, strontium is absorbed to a lesser extent than calcium, possibly due to the larger molecular size of strontium in comparison to the calcium molecule. Both calcium and strontium compete with one another for absorption in the intestines. High dietary intake of calcium has been shown to reduce concurrent absorption of strontium. It has been proposed that when both elements are present together, twice the amount of calcium is absorbed from the intestines in comparison with strontium.³  

Strontium is a bone-seeking mineral incorporated by ionic substitution for calcium onto the crystal surface of bone.4 Researchers have looked at the therapeutic potential of strontium based on in vitro, animal and human studies. After assessing and analyzing the results of several investigations, scientists theorize that strontium may benefit bone health via a two-pronged effect. It appears that strontium interacts with the cells responsible for the normal bone remodeling process. The cells responsible for bone formation are known as osteoblasts, and the cells responsible for bone breakdown, or resorption, are called the osteoclasts. Strontium may stimulate the replication of pre-osteoblasts, leading to an increased proliferation of osteoblasts (cells that build bone). This causes an increased synthesis of bone matrix. In terms of effects on osteoclasts (cells responsible for bone resorption), in vitro work shows that strontium directly inhibits their activity and prevents bone breakdown.5,6 

Animal studies suggest that extremely high dietary intakes of strontium, in the absence of adequate calcium intake, can actually disturb bone mineralization. At such concentration levels strontium replaces calcium ions in bone. The unbalanced incorporation of strontium into bone tissue in the place of calcium may cause a disturbance of the bone lattice, resulting in decreased bone mineral density.³ It is precisely for this reason that calcium intake must be adequate when supplementing with strontium.

 

Further studies in animals reveal that strontium given as a part of the normal diet (when calcium intake is adequate) may have profound effects on bone formation and density. Oral administration of strontium doses to rats was shown to enhance the rate of bone formation and trabecular bone density.³

 

Multiple clinical studies utilizing different forms of strontium have been conducted since the 1950s. Stable strontium as gluconate, carbonate, lactate and chloride have all been used in various trials that have reported efficacy of supplemental strontium in promoting healthy bones. Regardless of the form, it is the elemental strontium itself that exerts the positive effect on bone. While all of the various forms have a bioavailability of between 25 and 30%, gastric tolerance is reportedly better with strontium citrate9, the form used in Strontium BoneMaker.

Supplementing with strontium is an effective means for supporting bone health and optimal bone density. When taken orally as recommended, strontium is well-tolerated and very safe. It is important to ensure calcium and vitamin D intakes are adequate when supplementing with strontium. This is underscored by earlier research on animals suggesting that increasing the intake of strontium via diet may demineralize bone when calcium is deficient.10 In rats with chronic kidney failure, strontium has been shown to cause osteomalacia, a condition in which bone is softened due to lack of mineral content. For this reason, people on kidney dialysis should not use strontium supplements.11 There are no published reports of toxic effects in humans due to strontium overdosing.2