Strontium for Health & Longevity - Quick Reference Sheet
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Strontium for Health & Longevity

Created on 06/27/2026 – Quick Reference based on Evidence Review created using AI4L / Opus 4.8 – Audit

Strontium is a calcium-like mineral built into bone, sold as a now-withdrawn prescription drug and as a supplement. It appears to build bone while slowing its breakdown, and the prescription form cut broken bones, mainly in the spine. But bone scans overstate real gains, and concerns about heart attacks and clots cloud its safety. (Full Review)

Protocol

Dose
~680 mg elemental strontium daily
Supplement citrate commonly supplies ~680 mg or 750 mg of strontium as citrate; prescription ranelate was 2 g/day.
Timing
Bedtime, away from calcium and food
Separate from any calcium source by at least 2 hours; food and calcium sharply reduce absorption.
Form
Strontium citrate (single daily dose)
Prescription ranelate is largely withdrawn; long half-life means split dosing offers no clear advantage.
Time to effect
Fracture benefit
1–3 years
Trial fracture benefits emerged over 1–3 years of continuous use; not a short-term intervention.
Bone density change
Months
Bone-density changes accrue over months; meaningful DXA changes emerged over 1–3 years.
Steady state
~2 weeks
Effective elimination half-life ~60 hours (~2.5 days); steady state reached in about 2 weeks.

Benefits

Contraindications
  • Ischemic heart disease
  • Peripheral arterial disease
  • Cerebrovascular disease (prior stroke or transient ischemic attack)
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • Current or prior venous thromboembolism
  • Temporary or permanent immobilization
  • Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min)
  • Known hypersensitivity to strontium
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
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Key Interactions
  • Calcium (supplemental and dietary)
  • Food (especially dairy and high-calcium meals)
  • Oral tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline, ciprofloxacin)
  • Other anti-osteoporosis drugs (bisphosphonates such as alendronate; denosumab; teriparatide)
  • Drugs and supplements that raise clotting or cardiovascular risk (e.g., estrogen-containing therapy)
  • Antacids and mineral-binding supplements
    •

Risk & Side Effects

  • High: Cardiovascular events; venous thromboembolism
    •
  • Medium: Severe cutaneous hypersensitivity; bone-density measurement artifact
    •
  • Low: Gastrointestinal and common adverse effects; transient increase in creatine kinase and neurological symptoms
    •
  • Speculative: Long-term skeletal consequences of strontium accumulation; cardiovascular risk at supplement doses
    •

Monitoring

Marker Target Why
Bone mineral density (DXA T-score) T-score above −1.0; trend stable or improving Tracks the primary target outcome
25-hydroxyvitamin D 40–60 ng/mL Supports bone response; deficiency limits benefit
Serum calcium 9.4–9.9 mg/dL Confirms calcium status; strontium handling tracks calcium
Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >90 mL/min/1.73m² Strontium is renally cleared; impairment raises exposure
Blood pressure <120/80 mmHg Cardiovascular safety screening and monitoring
Bone turnover markers (e.g., P1NP, CTX) Within premenopausal reference range Gauges remodeling response

Cadence: DXA every 1–2 years; blood pressure and cardiovascular review every 6–12 months; renal function and calcium/vitamin D annually; prompt evaluation for any rash with systemic symptoms or new cardiovascular event.

Qualitative Assessment

  • Absence of new fractures or loss of height
  • New or worsening chest pain, leg pain or swelling, or shortness of breath
  • Any rash, fever, or facial swelling (possible hypersensitivity)
  • General mobility, balance, and physical function
Not medical advice. Educational distillation of a single evidence review. Confirm any decision with a qualified clinician, especially in the presence of prescription drugs or chronic conditions.