A couple of points that may be of interest:

(1) The efficacy of Fosamax (and any bisphosphonate) can be checked via
a urine test called Pyrilinks-D.

I found via that test, after 10 months on Actonel, that it was simply
not succeeding. This was confirmed by a DEXA scan that was compared to a
test given two years prior. It was then (a couple of months ago) that I
began a regimen of Zometa 4 mg q 90 days and continued with supplemental
vitamin D and calcium. It will be about nine months before I can know
whether Zometa is succeeding.

FWIW, the latest on Zometa is at:
http://www.prostate-cancer.org/resource/prostate_cancer_news.php4?&id=35327

(2) I found a recommendation that a two-hour delay in eating breakfast
increases bioavailability of the medication by 40%. See,
http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/boneintg/biphos.html

Regards,

Steve J

No comment from me, because I haven't had time to try and find more information
about clinical trials in Europe
J

http://www.drweil.com/u/QA/QA360803/
strontium ranelate
Strontium ranelate is not yet approved by the FDA for treatment or prevention
of osteoporosis in the United States. It remains under study.

http://www.johnleemd.com/store/hhw_0406.html
A Few Caveats in the Use of Strontium
Although strontium seems to be a remarkably benign supplement, there are a few
guidelines to follow to maximize its benefit:

  1. Calcium should not be taken simultaneously with the strontium since the
calcium dramatically decreases the absorption of the strontium.
  2. It should not be used as a treatment in children since it can alter the
architecture of rapidly growing bones.
  3. Traditional bone mineral tests like the DEXA will give artificially high
results since strontium is much denser than calcium and a correction will need
to be factored in.
  4. As with all of the pharmaceutical agents, the long term safety of
administration of strontium is unknown, but thousands of women have now taken
it over the last decade.
  5. Strontium is not a “magic bullet” and a comprehensive approach to
regaining bone strength is still optimum. Other modalities of bone support
include calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin K, progesterone, estrogen (in
small amounts), testosterone (if necessary) and weight bearing exercise.

Robert Gottesman, M.D. is a practicing clinician in Santa Ynez, California who
has been using natural hormones in his practice for many years. He has
contributed greatly to Dr. Lee’s work over the years. He can be contacted at
rgottesman@verizon.net.

Editor’s Note: Ask for strontium supplements at your local health food store or
look for them on the web. One brand name by Advanced Orthomolecular Research
out of Calgary, Canada is called Strontium Support, which contains 720 mg per
capsule.