Mobility/Women/Longevity

Strontium

Trace mineral used for bone health, with most evidence coming from prescription strontium ranelate in older women.

Strontium

Trace mineral used for bone health, with most evidence coming from prescription strontium ranelate in older women.

score

evidence

Caution

risk

Proven Benefits

01Reduces vertebral fractures

02Supports bone mineral density

03Lowers nonvertebral fractures

04May slow knee OA progression

05May reduce knee OA pain

06May lower bone loss markers

Chemical Forms

Recommended

Strontium ranelate (prescription-only in many countries)
Strontium citrate

Avoid

Strontium chloride (minimal clinical outcome data)
Products that do not disclose elemental strontium amount

Expert Note

Most clinical outcome data come from prescription strontium ranelate. Strontium citrate is the most common OTC form and is likely absorbable, but it has far less direct trial evidence; chloride and vague 'bone blend' formulas are even less validated and harder to dose consistently.

Protocol

Amount

680 mg elemental strontium

Frequency

Once daily

When

Empty stomach or at bedtime, at least 2 hours after food, dairy, calcium, or other minerals.

Condition-Based Dosing

Using OTC strontium citrate for general bone support

680 mg elemental strontium daily— This dose is largely extrapolated from the elemental strontium delivered by 2 g/day prescription strontium ranelate; direct efficacy data for citrate are limited.

Prescription strontium ranelate (where available)

2 g nightly under clinician supervision— This is the form used in major osteoporosis trials and the one linked to the main efficacy and safety data.

Safety & Limits

Upper Safe Limit

No official UL established; avoid exceeding ~680 mg/day elemental strontium from supplements without medical supervision (roughly the elemental dose delivered by 2 g/day strontium ranelate in trials).

Cycling

Safe for continuous use

Contraindications

Ischemic heart disease, stroke history, peripheral arterial disease, or uncontrolled hypertension — cardiovascular safety concerns were seen with strontium ranelate

Prior venous thromboembolism or clotting disorders — possible increased clot risk

Chronic kidney disease or eGFR < 30 mL/min — reduced clearance and accumulation risk

Pregnancy or breastfeeding — insufficient safety data

Known hypersensitivity or prior severe drug rash — rare serious skin reactions were reported with strontium ranelate

Synergies

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D supports calcium absorption and bone remodeling; low vitamin D status may blunt any bone response to strontium.

Vitamin K2

Vitamin K2 helps activate bone proteins involved in mineral placement, making bone-health stacks more coherent than strontium alone.

Avoid Combining With

✕Calcium supplements or dairy (take 2+ hours apart — competes for absorption)
✕Multimineral formulas with iron or magnesium (separate by 2+ hours — may reduce uptake)
✕Meals in general, especially calcium-rich meals (take on an empty stomach — food lowers absorption)

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