Boron

What is Boron?

Boron is an essential trace mineral that helps in the metabolism of several minerals involved in the development of bones such as calcium, magnesium and copper.

Boron can help reduce calcification by helping to store calcium thereby reducing a loss of calcium. Boron can also help with a diet deficient in magnesium by raising magnesium levels.

The body requires boron but unfortunately due to modern conventional farming and the overuse of chemicals boron is a mineral that can be easily depleted from the soil which is one of the major causes for a deficiency of boron as well as unhealthy cooking methods.

Diets with adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables can provide about 2 to 5 mg of boron per day. However this is greatly dependent upon the region where the food was grown and farming practices.

Average intakes in developed countries are usually around 1-2 mg of boron per day. Organic produce grown in quality soil can provide up to 20mg of boron, however this is very dependent on the quality of soil.

Health Benefits of Boron

Improve bone health

Boron is essential for healthy bone and joint function and can help to strengthen the bones by assisting with the uptake of calcium. It also assists other minerals necessary for healthy bone development such as calcium, magnesium and copper. Without sufficient amounts of boron calcium and magnesium levels are increasingly decreased.

Helps against fungal and yeast infections

Boron has antiseptic, antifungal, and antiviral properties and can help with Candida Overgrowth as well as many other yeast and fungal infections.

Assist with the conversion of vitamin D to its active form

Boron’s ability to increase calcium uptake and deposition into bone and teeth avoids any soft tissue to calcify and this works synergistically with Vitamin D by converting it to its active form.

Improves heart problems

Boron can help relieve some difficulties related to heart conditions

Improvement of vision

Some claims suggest that boron has a positive effect on vision and eyesight

Dermatitis and Psoriasis

Most dermatitis and psoriasis condition may be caused by yeast and fungal infections. Because of boron’s antiseptic and antifungal properties this can help relieve these conditions.

Helps remove fluoride

Boron can help remove excess fluoride levels to help combat skeletal fluorosis and many conditions caused by extreme exposure to fluoride.

Memory and cognition

Certain claims suggest that Boron has helped with Memory and cognition

Regulate hormone production

Boron can increase low testosterone levels in men and oestrogen levels in menopausal women

Relieve post-menopausal symptoms

Boron can help with relieving post-menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness by helping to regulating hormonal imbalances and reserving essential minerals at this stage such as calcium and magnesium.

Cancer

Boron can help protect men against the risk of developing prostate cancer. Studies have shown that boron can kill specific cancerous cells whilst leaving healthy cells unharmed.

Agonist / Synergist

Calcium – Boron can help with calcium uptake

Magnesium - Boron can help raise magnesium levels

Copper

Antagonists

Manganese, calcium

No RDA has been set for Boron. However, because of unhealthy farming practices using chemical fertilizers which has reduced boron levels from soil a daily intake of boron can be beneficial.

Food Sources of Boron

Healthy high boron content foods include nuts, almond, almond butter, grapes, beans, peaches, apples, , avocado, non-citrus fruit, pears, leafy vegetables, legumes, cider(sulphite free and organic), wine (sulphite free and organic),  beer, bone extracts and bone broth.

Boron Supplementation

Boron is available and usually in the 3mg dosage which can be taken for a daily maintenance. An easy way to get sufficient levels is by using Borax, which is an alternative cheap way to get the benefits of boron. Read more about Borax by clicking here

For a daily boron supplementation take 3mg – 7mg.

People suffering from arthritis, osteoporosis, menopause or suffer from other problems which may be associated with boron deficiency can take up to 3 times of the standard 3mg dose until the ailment has improved. Once improvement is noted it is best to cut back on dosage to the standard dose of 3mg – 7mg.

Deficiency Symptoms of Boron

Very little is known about Boron deficiency however studies are now showing that Boron helps certain ailments all of which can be a good indicator of Boron deficiency. The following are some conditions which are often related to boron deficiency and can be helped by getting sufficient levels of boron:

  • Abnormal metabolism of calcium and magnesium.
  • Osteoporosis and tooth decay
  • Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and other forms of arthritis
  • Hot flashes and vaginal dryness in post-menopausal women
  • Decreased mental alertness
  • Increased magnesium and calcium requirements
  • Calcium and magnesium deficiency
  • Decreased bone density
  • Risk for prostate cancer
  • May be associated with hyperthyroidism
  • Calcification
  • Overactive parathyroid

Toxicity Symptoms of Boron

Boron has low toxicity to humans and animals but can be extremely toxic in very high amounts. Its toxicity levels are similar to that of table salt. It is rarely found in high levels in human beings. Boron is rapidly excreted through the urine. Toxicity is dependent on an individual's kidney functions. If kidneys are not functioning correctly to eliminate boron this may cause boron accumulation in kidneys, lungs, bone, liver, heart, brain, fatty tissue, parathyroid and reproductive glands.

Symptoms of Boron toxicity include:

  • Vitamin B6 / Pyridoxine deficiency
  • Vitamin B2 / Riboflavin deficiency
  • Skeletal abnormalities
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Anemia
  • Dermatitis
  • Edema
  • Seizures
  • Ovarian / testicular abnormalities
  • Gastrointestinal disturbances
  • Cold-like symptoms