What Are the Benefits of Strontium?

Strontium is a common element in soils and drinking water. It exists in trace amounts in all bone. It is in the same chemical family as magnesium and calcium, being next to them in the periodic table. Many studies, including those by the Navy, the Mayo Clinic and McGill University, have proven substantial benefits deriving from this element. Strontium supplements cannot be taken by children because of the possibility it can deform bones still in formation.

Reverses Osteoporosis

Strontium builds bone. It assists in the fusing of calcium in bone and hence serves as a catalyst. Several studies, led by an early 1959 study by the Mayo Clinic as well as more recent studies at McGill University, showed conclusively that strontium increases bone density -- in one case by 8.1 percent in patients who were losing bone before taking the supplements. This element not only builds bone like calcium can, but it also inhibits the re-absorption of bone matter into the system. Therefore, it doubles the rate by which bone disorders such as osteoporosis can be reversed.

Treats Arthritis

Strontium also can build cartilage in the joints. In a Belgian study carried out by the Bone and Cartilage Metabolism Research Unit, strong evidence was uncovered that this element can assist in the stimulation of cartilage production and hence help reverse arthritis.

Prevents Cavities

The U.S. Navy undertook a study to show strontium could prevent cavities. The Navy investigated a small town--Rossburg, Ohio--that had a large amount of this element in its drinking water. The surprising lack of cavities in the town strongly suggested that this bone strengthener can assist in the prevention of cavities by strengthening the bone structure of teeth.

Treats Cancer in Bone

Cancers can spread into the bone. This becomes a severe problem since it quickly can destroy bone, leaving it brittle and weak. Even if the cancer is eventually cured, the damage to the bone is difficult to fix and can leave substantial deformations in the bone structure that cause severe pain and deformities later on. In a McGill University study, strontium was shown to strengthen cancer-riddled bones and fill in the holes that cancer leaves. Though it cannot cure bone cancer, it can deal with its effects by strengthening bones and leading to a speedier and less painful recovery.

Reduces Fracture Risk

Given strontium's ability to strengthen bone more effectively than calcium, this element has also been found to reduce the risk of bone fractures, specifically in cases of bone weakness brought on by cancer or osteoporosis.