Strontium

Unproven· human data

Also known as: Strontium citrate

Bone-density marketing that borrows from a prescription drug the supplement is not.

Strontium supplements are marketed for bone density, trading on strontium ranelate — a prescription drug once used for osteoporosis. The over-the-counter citrate form is not the same product and lacks that trial evidence.

Strontium also distorts bone-density (DEXA) readings because it is denser than calcium, so apparent 'gains' can be a measurement artefact rather than real bone. Prescription strontium was restricted over cardiovascular and clotting concerns, so the safety picture is not reassuring either.

Sources

PubMed: strontium citrate ranelate bone density osteoporosis (research overview)

Written and reviewed by Mathew Beale, MSc Biotechnology, University of Reading.

Last reviewed: 22 July 2026