What the evidence says. Graded moderate: large multi-year RCTs (SOTI, TROPOS) prove strontium ranelate cuts vertebral and hip fractures, but a myocardial-infarction and clotting signal forced EMA restriction in 2014, and the over-the-counter citrate form has almost no fracture-outcome data of its own. (Moderate evidence: Several controlled trials; effects real but modest or context-dependent.)
What is Strontium?
Strontium is a mineral used for reduce vertebral fracture risk. NutriDex grades the human evidence as Moderate. Strontium is a calcium-like mineral that deposits in bone and slows resorption. The prescription salt strontium ranelate is the best-studied form: in the 3-year SOTI trial (n=1,649) it reduced new vertebral fractures by 41%, and in TROPOS it cut non-vertebral fractures by 16% and hip fractures by 36% in high-risk women. Network meta-analysis ranks it first for total-hip bone density. However, DEXA overstates real gains because strontium's heavy atom inflates the reading. Crucially, trials showed more heart attacks (about 1.7% vs 1.1%) plus a venous-clotting and severe-skin-reaction (DRESS) signal, so European regulators restricted it to severe osteoporosis and it has since been largely withdrawn. Over-the-counter strontium citrate, marketed as a 'natural' alternative, has minimal direct fracture evidence and likely carries the same risks.
Purported Benefits
✓Reduce vertebral fracture risk
✓Reduce non-vertebral & hip fracture risk
✓Raise bone mineral density
✓Slow postmenopausal bone loss
Evidence by outcome
The same supplement can be well-proven for one use and unproven for another — here is the human evidence graded outcome by outcome.
Outcome
Evidence
Effect
Studies
Reduce vertebral fracture riskSOTI RCT cut new vertebral fractures 41% over 3y; sustained at 5y. Applies to prescription ranelate, not OTC citrate.
Venous thromboembolism riskPrescription-event monitoring of 10,782 users found VTE 6.24/1,000 patient-years, matching the trial clotting signal.
Moderate
⚠ risk · small
1
Dosing & Compounds
Typical Dose
Prescription strontium ranelate was 2 g/day; supplement strontium citrate is sold at ~340–680 mg/day elemental strontium, taken away from food and calcium.
Strontium ranelate raised heart-attack risk in trials (about 1.7% vs 1.1%) and is contraindicated in ischemic heart disease, peripheral arterial or cerebrovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, and any history of venous thromboembolism or immobilisation; it was largely withdrawn after 2014. It can trigger life-threatening skin reactions (DRESS, Stevens-Johnson, TEN) — stop immediately for rash with fever. Strontium binds the same sites as calcium and reduces absorption of tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics, so separate doses by 2+ hours; it also artificially inflates DEXA bone-density readings. Over-the-counter strontium citrate is not a proven-safe substitute and should be avoided in anyone with cardiovascular or clotting risk. Educational only — always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining Strontium with any medicine.
Strontium is most often taken for Reduce vertebral fracture risk, Reduce non-vertebral & hip fracture risk, Raise bone mineral density, Slow postmenopausal bone loss. Bone-seeking mineral with real fracture data — but cardiac safety flags.
Does Strontium work — what does the evidence say?
Moderate evidence. Several controlled trials; effects real but modest or context-dependent. Strontium is a calcium-like mineral that deposits in bone and slows resorption. The prescription salt strontium ranelate is the best-studied form: in the 3-year SOTI trial (n=1,649) it reduced new vertebral fractures by 41%, and in TROPOS it cut non-vertebral fractures by 16% and hip fractures by 36% in high-risk women. Network meta-analysis ranks it first for total-hip bone density. However, DEXA overstates real gains because strontium's heavy atom inflates the reading. Crucially, trials showed more heart attacks (about 1.7% vs 1.1%) plus a venous-clotting and severe-skin-reaction (DRESS) signal, so European regulators restricted it to severe osteoporosis and it has since been largely withdrawn. Over-the-counter strontium citrate, marketed as a 'natural' alternative, has minimal direct fracture evidence and likely carries the same risks.
What is the typical dose of Strontium?
Prescription strontium ranelate was 2 g/day; supplement strontium citrate is sold at ~340–680 mg/day elemental strontium, taken away from food and calcium.
Is Strontium safe? Any cautions or side effects?
Strontium ranelate raised heart-attack risk in trials (about 1.7% vs 1.1%) and is contraindicated in ischemic heart disease, peripheral arterial or cerebrovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, and any history of venous thromboembolism or immobilisation; it was largely withdrawn after 2014. It can trigger life-threatening skin reactions (DRESS, Stevens-Johnson, TEN) — stop immediately for rash with fever. Strontium binds the same sites as calcium and reduces absorption of tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics, so separate doses by 2+ hours; it also artificially inflates DEXA bone-density readings. Over-the-counter strontium citrate is not a proven-safe substitute and should be avoided in anyone with cardiovascular or clotting risk.
How many studies support Strontium?
NutriDex cites 8 sources for Strontium, graded "Moderate".
Cite this page
APA
Peh, D. (2026). Strontium: Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects & Evidence. NutriDex — The Supplement Research Compendium. Retrieved 16 Sept 2026, from https://nutridex.info/s/strontium
BibTeX
@misc{nutridex_strontium,
author = {Peh, Daryl},
title = {Strontium: Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects \& Evidence},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {NutriDex --- The Supplement Research Compendium},
url = {https://nutridex.info/s/strontium},
note = {Reviewed by Dr Daryl Peh, MBBS Singapore, MMed FM. Accessed 2026-09-16}
}
For medical claims, citing the underlying primary studies linked above is preferred. NutriDex is an educational reference, not medical advice.