Doctor's Best Strontium Bone Maker is a naturally occurring mineral present in water and food. Trace amounts of strontium are found in the human skeleton. Strontium has an affinity for bone and is taken up at the bone matrix crystal surface. The influence of strontium on the bone metabolism has been researched since the 1950's. Studies indicate that strontium positively affects bone metabolism to promote bone formation and decrease bone resorption, leading to normalized bone density.
- Science-based nutrition
- Helps maintain strong, healthy bones
- Suitable for vegetarians
Strontium is a naturally occurring mineral named after the small town of Strontian in Scotland where it was first found at high concentrations in the natural rock. It may be an essential trace mineral necessary for optimal skeletal health, although this has not been formally established. It is present in water and soil, and can be found in foods such as cabbage, onions, lettuce, meat, grains, and seafood. An estimated 2–4 mg per day is consumed from the average diet. Organic foods tend to have higher strontium content than foods grown using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.
Strontium and calcium have many chemical similarities. Trace amounts of strontium are found naturally in the human skeleton, due to its strong affinity for bone. It can additionally be found in teeth, and in the shells of some marine animals. Calcium and strontium are absorbed by similar mechanisms from the gastrointestinal tract, and absorption of both is stimulated by vitamin D. Also, research suggests that oral absorption of strontium may decline with age, similar to calcium absorption.
One difference between these two very similar minerals is the kidneys preferentially retain calcium and preferentially excrete strontium when both are given in equal amounts. Interestingly, due to the absorption/excretion similarities, oral administration of strontium can be used clinically as an inexpensive method to assess calcium absorption and excretion.
Strontium citrate is a naturally occurring strontium salt that supplies the body with bioavailable strontium. Like other strontium salts it has a bioavailability of approximately 25–30%, but it is better tolerated by the gastrointestinal tract. This is the strontium form used in Strontium Bone Maker.
Enhances strong, healthy bones
Bone is a unique tissue with a number of functions. The bones provide support and shape to the body, and also function to store minerals and maintain mineral balance. The influence of strontium on bone metabolism has been researched from as far back as 1870.
Bone health and strength is constantly being maintained by remodeling processes that are managed by osteoclasts (cells that break down bone) and osteoblasts (cells that build up bone). Strontium is now known to activate various cell signaling pathways to promote both a decrease in osteoclast activity and an increase in osteoblast activity. The maturation, numbers, and activity levels of osteoclasts are decreased by strontium, while renewal and activity of the osteoblasts are enhanced. Overall these strontium effects lead to supportive benefits to the microarchitecture, strength, quality, and density of healthy bone.
In addition to its effects on bone metabolism, strontium is also incorporated directly into bone when taken orally; in fact, 99% of the strontium content in the body is found in bone. Ongoing intake of strontium seems to improve the quality of bone mineralization as observed at the microscopic level. It seems that when calcium intake is adequate, strontium hardly substitutes for any calcium in the bone and instead promotes mineralization of new bone that is being formed. Studies suggest that after strontium consumption ceases, strontium in the bone is replaced over time by calcium.
Both animal and human research suggest that consumption of ionic salts of strontium, including the citrate form supplied by Strontium Bone Maker, leads to accumulation of strontium in the bone as well as enhanced bone density. The evidence strongly suggests that regardless of the ionic form being supplied, it is the strontium itself that has the positive effects on bone.
Animal studies suggest strontium may be a kind of catalyst for building bone. In one study with adult rats, a relatively low intake of strontium increased the number of bone forming sites in the thigh bones, without adverse effects on the mineral content or the mineralization quality of the bone matrix. Another study in rats indicated that strontium could support bone health associated with a deficiency of the hormone estrogen in females.
There is also some evidence that strontium can support healthy cartilage tissue. It seemingly can promote cartilage formation without affecting cartilage breakdown.
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