A therapeutic composition and method for treating symptoms or etiology of arthritic conditions by administering a divalent cationic source of strontium, para-aminobenzoic acid and .alpha.-lipoic acid is described. In addition, a therapeutic composition and method for treating symptoms or etiology of arthritic conditions by administering a divalent cationic source of strontium, para-aminobenzoic acid, .alpha.-lipoic acid and vitamin E is described. Further, a therapeutic composition and method for treating symptoms or etiology of osteoporitic conditions by administering a divalent cationic source of strontium, para-aminobenzoic acid, vitamin B.sub.6, vitamin B.sub.12 and folic acid or folate is described.