Strontium: The Enemy of Bone Marrow
Strontium (Sr)
Enemy of the bone marrow.
Strontium – an element whose metabolism is related to calcium metabolism. In the human body, it prevents the development of caries and osteoporosis in amounts up to 3-4 mg per day.
The daily requirement for strontium in the human body is not precisely defined. An adult human typically receives 0.8–3.0 mg of strontium daily through food.
Strontium from food is relatively poorly absorbed by the body (about 5–10%). Strontium absorption mainly occurs in the duodenum and ileum. The absorbed strontium is then primarily excreted in urine and, to a lesser extent, in bile. Unabsorbed strontium is found in feces.
In the body of an adult weighing 70 kg, there is about 320 mg of strontium, with the majority (up to 99%) deposited in bones. Relatively high concentrations of strontium are found in lymph nodes (0.30 ± 0.08 µg/g), lungs (0.20 ± 0.02), ovaries (0.14 ± 0.06), liver, and kidneys (0.1 ± 0.03). In whole blood, strontium is found at 0.02 ± 0.002 µg/ml.
Biological role in the human body. Strontium can accumulate in living organisms. According to the founder of isotope geochemistry, Academician A.P. Vinogradov, the average content of strontium in a living organism is 0.002%.
The metabolism of strontium is related to calcium metabolism. It prevents the development of caries and osteoporosis.
Synergists and antagonists of strontium. Calcium, which is part of bone tissue, is similar in properties to strontium, so strontium ions can replace calcium in bones. In this case, both synergism and antagonism of strontium are observed.
Vitamin D, lactose, and the amino acids lysine and arginine enhance strontium absorption.
Plant foods rich in dietary fiber, as well as sodium sulfate and barium sulfate, may reduce strontium absorption.
Vitamin D, lactose, and the amino acids lysine and arginine enhance strontium absorption.
Plant foods rich in dietary fiber, as well as sodium sulfate and barium sulfate, may reduce strontium absorption.
Signs of strontium deficiency: data on reduced strontium content in the human body are absent in the literature.
In rats and guinea pigs, a diet low in strontium leads to stunted growth, damage, calcification of bones and teeth, and an increased incidence of dental caries.
In rats and guinea pigs, a diet low in strontium leads to stunted growth, damage, calcification of bones and teeth, and an increased incidence of dental caries.
In case of excessive strontium intake, the so-called “strontium rickets” or “Urov disease” occurs. This endemic disease was first identified in the population living near the Urov River in Eastern Siberia.
“Urov disease” arises from the displacement of calcium ions by strontium ions from bone tissue or increased strontium intake in the context of calcium deficiency. Accumulation of strontium in the body leads to damage throughout the organism; however, the most typical manifestation of this disease is the development of dystrophic changes in the bone and joint system during the growth and development of the organism (symmetrical deforming osteoporosis is formed due to the inhibition of bone growth in the metaphyseal cartilage zones).
The disease was first described by a resident of the city of Nerchinsk, I.M. Yurensky (1849) in the “Proceedings of the Free Economic Society” under the title “On the deformities of the inhabitants of the banks of the Urov River in Eastern Siberia,” and later by two military doctors of the Cossack troops, N.I. Kashin in 1860 and 1861, and E.V. Bek and his wife A.N. Bek in the doctoral dissertation of 1906 “On the issue of osteoarthritis deformans endemic in the Transbaikal region” (hence the second name of Urov disease – Kashin–Bek disease). Typically, this disease is accompanied by a pronounced disturbance of the phosphorus-calcium ratio in the blood and intestinal dysbiosis.
“Urov disease” arises from the displacement of calcium ions by strontium ions from bone tissue or increased strontium intake in the context of calcium deficiency. Accumulation of strontium in the body leads to damage throughout the organism; however, the most typical manifestation of this disease is the development of dystrophic changes in the bone and joint system during the growth and development of the organism (symmetrical deforming osteoporosis is formed due to the inhibition of bone growth in the metaphyseal cartilage zones).
The disease was first described by a resident of the city of Nerchinsk, I.M. Yurensky (1849) in the “Proceedings of the Free Economic Society” under the title “On the deformities of the inhabitants of the banks of the Urov River in Eastern Siberia,” and later by two military doctors of the Cossack troops, N.I. Kashin in 1860 and 1861, and E.V. Bek and his wife A.N. Bek in the doctoral dissertation of 1906 “On the issue of osteoarthritis deformans endemic in the Transbaikal region” (hence the second name of Urov disease – Kashin–Bek disease). Typically, this disease is accompanied by a pronounced disturbance of the phosphorus-calcium ratio in the blood and intestinal dysbiosis.
Particularly dangerous for the body is radioactive 90Sr, which, when incorporated into bone tissue, can affect the bone marrow and disrupt hematopoietic processes.
The main manifestations of excess strontium: rickets-like diseases, “Urov disease”; pulmonary fibrosis.
To eliminate excess strontium from the body, magnesium and calcium supplements, dietary fibers, sodium sulfate, and barium sulfate can be used.
Strontium is necessary (in small doses!): in cases of caries, osteoporosis.
Dietary sources of strontium: strontium-rich plant products, especially legumes (beans, peas, soybeans, haricot beans, etc.), some cereals (buckwheat, oats, millet, soft wheat, hard wheat, wild rice, rye) and root and tuber-forming plants (ginger, potatoes, beets, carrots, etc.), some fruits: apricots, quinces, pineapples, grapes, pears, kiwis; dried fruits: raisins, dried apricots, dates; nuts and seeds: peanuts, cashews, macadamia, Brazil nuts, pistachios, hazelnuts; greens arugula, celery greens, dill; seaweeds: laminaria (sea cabbage); as well as bones and cartilage.