By the way, doctor: Can strontium help treat osteoporosis?

Q. What can you tell me about the mineral strontium, which is advertised for treating osteoporosis?

A. Strontium (Sr) is a chemical element found in water and food. When taken orally, it's absorbed in the body in small amounts, mainly in areas where bone is being remodeled — that is, undergoing the natural process by which it is broken down and formed. The word "strontium" may make some people think of strontium-90, a radioactive form of the element that's present in nuclear fallout. Rising levels of strontium-90 in milk were a major public health concern during the 1950s and early '60s.