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Strontium (ranelate / citrate)
A bone-seeking mineral. The prescription salt strontium RANELATE cut fracture risk in large osteoporosis trials — but was restricted over cardiovascular (heart-attack) and clot risk, and the OTC strontium CITRATE sold as a supplement is a different, far less studied salt. Also falsely inflates bone-density scans.
What the evidence says
Most Strontium studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from medium-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2002–2010.
Based on 4 studies · 2 meta-analyses
Confidence
HighBy outcome
Strontium has an evidence score of 4.2/10 — emerging evidence based on 4 indexed studies, including 2 meta-analyses. A bone-seeking mineral. The prescription salt strontium RANELATE cut fracture risk in large osteoporosis trials — but was restricted over cardiovascular (heart-attack) and clot risk, and the OTC strontium CITRATE sold as a supplement is a different, far less studied salt. Also falsely inflates bone-density scans. Representative study: PMID 19436941.
The commonly studied dose of Strontium is Prescription ranelate was 2g/day; OTC strontium citrate products typically supply 340-680mg elemental strontium daily. Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
See full supplement plans that include Strontium.
Explore: Best supplements for Body Health
Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 4 studies · how we score
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
Strontium is a mineral chemically similar to calcium that incorporates into bone. Its strong fracture evidence comes specifically from strontium RANELATE, a prescription drug that reduced vertebral and hip fractures in large RCTs (SOTI/TROPOS). However, ranelate was restricted by European regulators after trials showed increased cardiovascular events (heart attack) and venous clots, plus rare severe drug reactions (DRESS). The strontium CITRATE sold over-the-counter as a supplement is a DIFFERENT salt with far less direct fracture evidence — the citrate-vs-ranelate efficacy gap is often glossed over by marketers. Strontium is denser than calcium, so it also artifactually inflates DXA bone-density scans, making readings look better than the real bone change. Treat with caution.
Strontium ranelate both stimulates osteoblast bone formation and inhibits osteoclast resorption.
Strontium substitutes for calcium in bone mineral (and inflates DXA readings).
How Strontium works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
Prescription ranelate was 2g/day; OTC strontium citrate products typically supply 340-680mg elemental strontium daily
Can be taken without food
| Form | Type |
|---|---|
| 💊Strontium citrate (OTC) — with caution | Recommended |
| 💊Strontium ranelate (prescription only) | Alternative |
The fracture evidence is for ranelate, not citrate.
Minimum: 24 weeks
Optimal: 52 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: Away from calcium/food.
Dose-response data unavailable. The current published research for Strontium does not provide sufficient dose-specific outcome data to generate reliable dose-response curves.
Refer to the Dosage & Timing section above for recommended dose ranges based on available evidence.
Vertebral/hip fracture reduction shown for prescription ranelate.
Falsely raises measured bone-density scores.
Increased heart-attack and clot risk led to regulatory restriction.
Avoid — ranelate increased heart-attack risk.
Tell your clinician — strontium inflates the reading.
Compete for absorption — separate dosing by 2+ hours.
Strontium reduces their absorption — separate dosing.
Tip: Avoid with cardiovascular history; the basis for regulatory restriction
Tip: Avoid with clot history
Tip: Discontinue immediately if rash/fever
Tip: Take at bedtime
The best time to take Strontium is before bed. It can be taken on an empty stomach. Take away from food and calcium (which compete for absorption) — e.g.
Strontium should be used with caution — talk to a healthcare provider before taking it. The most commonly reported side effects are cardiovascular events (ranelate), venous thromboembolism, DRESS / severe skin reaction (ranelate). Use caution if any of these apply to you: History of cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, or stroke; History of venous thromboembolism (clots); Uncontrolled hypertension.
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