What it does in the body
- Bone formation stimulation (osteoblast activation)
- Bone resorption inhibition (osteoclast suppression)
- Incorporation into hydroxyapatite crystal structure
- Potential pain reduction in osteoarthritis
- Calcium-sensing receptor activation
How much you need (Daily Value)
| Group | Recommended | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Adult male | No RDA; estimated dietary intake 1-5 mg/day | Estimated |
| Adult female | No RDA; estimated dietary intake 1-5 mg/day | Estimated |
| Pregnancy | No RDA established | N/A |
| Children | No RDA established | N/A |
| Older adults | No RDA; strontium supplements (680 mg/day strontium citrate) studied for osteoporosis | Research-based |
Richest food sources
| Food | Amount | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Seafood (shrimp, crab) | 2-10 mg per 100g | coastal regions |
| Whole milk | 0.3 mg per 100ml | global |
| Wheat bran | 2.0 mg per 100g | global |
| Root vegetables | 0.5-2.0 mg per 100g | global |
| Lettuce | 0.5-1.0 mg per 100g | global |
| Spices (various) | up to 40 mg per 100g | global |
| Mineral water (strontium-rich) | 0.1-3.0 mg per liter | varies by source |
| Brazil nuts | 1.5 mg per 100g | South America |
If you don't get enough
Mild: Not defined as a clinical deficiency state in humans
Moderate: Animal studies suggest impaired bone mineralization with severe restriction
Severe: Not documented in humans
Time to onset: Not established.
Too much
Upper limit: No established UL. Strontium ranelate (pharmaceutical): associated with cardiovascular risk at 2 g/day.
Pharmaceutical doses: venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction (strontium ranelate). DRESS syndrome (rare). Nutritional doses from food are not associated with adverse effects. Radioactive strontium-90 (nuclear fallout) is an entirely different health concern.
How well you absorb it
20-25% from diet (similar to calcium, shares absorption mechanisms)
Helped by: Vitamin D, Acidic pH, Lactose
Hindered by: Calcium (competes for absorption — take strontium supplements apart from calcium), Phytate, Oxalate, High phosphorus
Cooking & storage
Strontium is heat-stable and not affected by cooking. Content in food depends on soil strontium levels. Leafy vegetables and root crops accumulate strontium from soil.
Nutrisize Health totals every nutrient from what you actually eat, against targets set for your age and sex, and flags what's short — across 4,995 foods, on your device.
