Calcium is known to prevent broken bones. But a study conducted on nurses from Harvard
University showed that calcium was not an important nutrient for bone density. However,
the mineral strontium has been shown to prevent bone loss and bone fractures. Over ten
million Americans have weak bones while we consume the most calcium of any peoples in the
world. The Japanese have half our rate of fractures and consume only one-third the calcium
Americans do. Chinese rarely fracture bones and consume very little calcium.
The Harvard Nurses Health Study was conducted over a twelve-year period. Women were given
900 mg of calcium a day. Those who consumed the calcium had twice the amount of hip
fractures as a group who only consumed 450 mg a day. Other studies concurred. A study of
over 36,000 women gave one group a thousand mg a day of calcium and the other group a
placebo. With both groups also taking vitamin D, the results were the same for each group.
No change with the calcium supplementation.
Strontium usage for bone
density has been in use since 1959. There are over 200 published studies on
strontium and its effects on the health and
formation of bone. The renowned Mayo Clinic conducted a study that showed great results.
Recent studies have shown similar results. In women over the age of 80, adding strontium
supplements decreased their risk of bone fracture by 59%. The New England Journal
of Medicine also published a study that showed risk of fracture reduction of
49%. A control group in this study consumed both calcium and vitamin D, but did not show
any reduction in the amount of bone fractures compared to
the dramatic improvement in the group consuming strontium. In another study, height loss
related to aging was reduced by 20%.
Strontium works in the body by stimulating the growth of new bone. It does this by
attracting the other bone building minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. McGill
University in Montreal conducted a study with supplemental strontium and showed that in
just six months, study participants increased bone formation by 172%.
One of the best ways to keep bones strong is by exercise. Weight bearing exercise and
weight training are great ways to build both strong muscles and strong bones. And add
strontium to the diet. Hormones also have an effect on bone density and a bone density
test can identify those in need of additional nutritional supplementation.
Strontium supplementation can be started at any age and there are no known side effects. (Natural News,
8.25.2009, Melanie Grimes)
http://www.naturalnews.com/026912_calcium_strontium_fractures.html