Strontium
Synopsis of strontium
Strontium is a naturally occurring alkaline earth metal (symbol Sr, atomic number 38) that is chemically similar to calcium and found in trace amounts in soil, water, and certain foods. In the human body, strontium concentrates in bones and teeth, where it interacts with the bone matrix and influences bone remodeling and mineral density. In nutritional and integrative medicine, strontium salts, particularly strontium ranelate and strontium citrate, are used to support bone health and osteoporosis prevention.
Strontium has a unique dual action on bones: it inhibits bone resorption by osteoclasts (cells that break down bone) while stimulating bone formation by osteoblasts, helping increase bone mineral density (BMD). Clinical studies, especially in Europe, have shown that strontium ranelate can reduce the risk of vertebral and non-vertebral fractures in women with osteoporosis. Strontium citrate, a supplement form used in the U.S. and other countries, offers similar bone-supporting effects without pharmaceutical classification.
Because strontium is heavier than calcium, it can replace calcium in hydroxyapatite crystals in bones, which shows up as increased BMD on DEXA scans—though the actual mechanical strength improvement is still debated. Strontium is not considered essential, but its role in bone remodeling, density maintenance, and mineralization is well-recognized in integrative bone health protocols.
Historical Use:
Strontium was discovered in the late 18th century in Scotland and named after the village of Strontian, where the mineral strontianite was first identified. While the element itself was not used medicinally at the time, its geological and chemical similarity to calcium laid the groundwork for later exploration in biological systems.
It wasn’t until the 20th century that researchers began to examine strontium’s role in bone metabolism. In the 1950s and 60s, early studies suggested that strontium lactate could reduce pain and improve bone strength in osteoporosis. This led to the development of strontium ranelate, a prescription drug approved in Europe in the early 2000s for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Historically, strontium was also explored for tooth and enamel health, and traces were found to accumulate in developing teeth, particularly in populations with high environmental strontium exposure. However, concerns emerged around radioactive isotopes of strontium (like strontium-90), which can be harmful in cases of nuclear fallout—though this is unrelated to the stable, non-radioactive forms used in supplementation.
Strontium is used for these health conditions
Arthritis (Scientific)
Broken Bones (Scientific)
Calcium Deficiency (Scientific)
Osteoporosis (Scientific)
strontium is used to support these body systems
Skeletal System (Bones) (Scientific)
Structural System (Scientific)
Teeth (Scientific)
