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Natural Supplement for Bone Loss
What is Strontium?
STRONTIUM is a metallic element widely distributed, but found in minute
amounts. It is found in various compounds, seawater, marine plants,
food, bones and teeth.

Names for strontium include: Sr, Sr+2, Sr++ and element 38.
First discovered in 1740 by a Scots-Irish chemist, Adair Crawford,
strontium was found to be a distinct mineral species in with the barium
crystals. Since then, the mineral has remained in relative obscurity,
except for a few patent medicines that had nothing to do with bone
health. However, Strontium has recently been re-discovered as being an
essential substance helping to prevent osteoporosis and the only one
that has the ability to regenerate, preserve, and even restore bone
growth.
How does Strontium help bone?
Bone is a living tissue, just like any other in the body. It grows and
wears down; it is in a continual process of remodeling and renewal. Old
bone is torn down by cells called osteoclasts and is resorbed by another
class of bone cells called osteoblasts, which build up replacement
tissue. Strontium causes baby osteoblasts to multiply more quickly,
which in turn supports bone growth. A medical study performed in 1985
by McGill University’s Dr. Stanley Skoryna forced the scientific
community to really take notice of strontium’s effect on the skeletal
system. Dr. Skoryna and his team found that daily doses of 600-700 mg
of strontium carbonate for six months increased the rate of bone
formation in osteoporosis patients by an astounding 172.4%.
Subsequent studies have confirmed these findings – strontium
supplements do increase bone mass, and the more that is taken, the
greater the bone mass that is gained.
-Strontium Overview

Strontium and Calcium, are there similarities?
Until recently, it has been thought that because of its chemical similarity
to calcium, strontium could replace it somewhat in various body
developments, including replacing a small percentage of the calcium in
hardened tissues such as bones and teeth. However this theory is now
being ruled out since the amount of calcium appears to have no effect
on these factors. And while calcium is necessary for building new bone,
it does not stimulate that growth – although an abundance of calcium
does help to suppress bone teardown.
It is now known that, almost always, strontium and calcium are found
together in natural plant foods. This makes sense, since plants, animals
and humans absorb and store these two minerals in a similar fashion.
Therefore, when scientists reveal that calcium-rich foods support bone
health, they may unknowingly be revealing the need for obtaining both
minerals in the diet.

What are the differences between Bisphosphonates and Strontium?
Bisphosphonate is an anti-resorptive agent. Examples of
bisphosphonates are Fosamax and Actonel. This means that it works by
slowing down bone resorption (the process of bone disintegration).
Calcium and vitamin D supplements also have anti-resorptive action.
Bisphosphonates do NOT however, increase the body’s ability to build
new bone. Despite what a bone mineral density (BMD) test may show,
bone mass continues to fall even while a person is on such drugs as
Fosamax or any other anti-resorptive drug.
Unlike strontium, bisphosphonates kill existing osteoclasts, (remember,
osteoclasts continually tear down old bone cells, whereas osteoblasts
continually build new bone tissue). Instead, strontium slows the rate at
which immature osteoclasts develop. Strontium also appears to prevent
the resorption caused by excessive parathyroid hormone. This creates
the best of both worlds required for total bone health, increasing mineral
density and bone strength without increasing brittleness or having any
negative impact on bone quality whatsoever.

Listed below, are just some of the side effects of bisphosphonates:
§ Abdominal Pain
§ Bone and Joint Pain
§ Osteoporosis
§ Loss of Muscle Mass
§ Constipation
§ Diarrhea
§ Indigestion
§ Muscle Pain
§ Nausea
§ Abdominal Distention
§ Acid Backup
§ Difficulty Swallowing
§ Esophageal Ulcers
§ Gas
§ Sodium Retention
§ Headache
§ Changes in Taste
§ Stomach Ulcers
§ Vomiting
§ Esophageal Blockage or Perforation
§ Eye Pain
§ Glaucoma
§ Impaired Wound Healing
§ Increased Sweating
§ Inflammation of the Stomach
§ Mouth Sores
§ Muscle Cramps
§ Rash
§ Skin Redness
§ Swollen Face and Throat
§ Congestive Heart Failure in Susceptible Patients
§ Hypertension
§ Convulsions
§ Increased risk of uterine, cervical and breast cancer with
long-term use in females
-Physicians Desk Reference

Source: http://mydrhorn.org/docs/boneloss.pdf