Benefits of Boron for Strong Bones and Health

What is Boron?

Mother Earth has been generous to us by providing us with several nutrients in nature. One such mineral that offers a bundle of health benefits to one and all is boron. It is a mineral that is mainly found in nuts and our environment. Ever wondered what is there in boric acid, that your eye specialist recommends to get rid of an eye infection? It is boron that helps kill infection-causing bacteria. Men and women both can avail of boron health benefits for different health issues like diabetes, hormonal imbalance, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, inflammation, and so on.

Boron is a natural element that can be found in various foods, including grains, prunes, raisins, noncitric fruits, nuts, and leafy green vegetables, like kale and spinach. In an average diet, a person typically consumes around 1.5 to 3 milligrams (mg) of boron. Some common sources of boron in daily meals include coffee, dried beans, apples, potatoes, and milk.

The presence of boron in the body plays a vital role in metabolising essential vitamins and minerals. It also contributes to maintaining healthy bones and influences estrogen and testosterone levels. However, there is no specific recommended daily intake for boron in terms of a standardised value. It is important to note that a deficiency in boron has not been proven to cause any specific diseases or health conditions.

Let us acquaint you with the various boron benefits and also give you an insight into some common side effects of boron in this article.

Boron Fact Sheet

It is appropriate to call boron a trace element found in nature in the form of food and environment. Represented by the letter ‘B’, boron has an atomic number 5. It is dark and lustrous in its crystalline form and brown in its amorphous form. Although not classified as an essential nutrient for the human body, boron is beneficial for reproduction, metabolism, brain function, hormonal balance, and bone formation. 

5 Common Boron Health Benefits

Boron is a natural substance that helps to enhance the role of estrogen, testosterone, and vitamin D in the human body. There are several other benefits of boron that make it a miraculous mineral found on earth. Let us understand some of its main health benefits:

Promotes Bone and Joint Health: The prime benefit of boron is that it promotes your bone as well as joint health. This happens because this mineral interacts with Vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium, all of these nutrients are the ones that are responsible for bone health.

Boron plays an important role in preserving the levels of calcium and magnesium in the body. It helps reduce the loss of these essential minerals from the bones, which is especially significant for postmenopausal women. Studies have shown that women who follow a diet lacking in boron tend to experience higher levels of calcium and magnesium loss compared to those who receive daily boron supplementation.

Moreover, boron has the potential to enhance the production and utilisation of vitamin D in the body. This, in turn, improves the absorption of calcium and promotes the mineralisation of bones. Additionally, boron is involved in regulating estrogen function, which is beneficial for protection against bone loss.

In summary, boron contributes to maintaining the balance of calcium and magnesium, supports the effective utilisation of vitamin D, and helps regulate estrogen, all of which play a role in preserving bone health and preventing bone loss.

Prevents Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis: Likewise, some research revealed that boron is beneficial to prevent conditions like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. If taken daily orally, boron supplements can increase bone mass density.

Reduces Inflammation: Another advantage of using boron is that it helps reduce inflammation in the body. It is known to reduce some inflammatory triggers, also known as cytokines like TNF-a and hs-CRP. These cytokines are responsible for causing obesity, breast cancer, depression, and heart disease.

Good for Teeth and Gum Health: Up next, you must know that boron is very effective to improve your teeth and gum health. Not only does it improve bone health, but also helps repair tissues and reduce inflammation in the mouth. It is a mineral that helps prevent gum diseases naturally.

Faster Wound Healing Properties: Boron exhibits superfast healing properties. A study conducted in the year 1990 revealed that boric acid treatment helps to speed up the healing of deep wounds. It is because it activates fibroblasts of tissues and skin. 

Other Uses of Boron

• Anti-cancer properties: A diet rich in boron and living in regions where the soil and water contain high levels of boron are associated with low risks of certain cancers, such as breast, prostate, lung, and cervical cancer.
  Scientists have observed this correlation between boron and reduced cancer risks. Some new uses of boron have been reported as researchers are exploring a new type of radiation treatment that utilises boron. In studies conducted on mice, the boron-based radiation treatment has shown promising results in slowing down tumour growth. The notable advantage of this treatment is that it appears to have fewer side effects than traditional radiation treatments.
• Can act as anti-diabetic: Studies conducted on animals have indicated that insufficient levels of boron in the body can contribute to physiological effects associated with diabetes. These effects include alterations in the blood glucose level (sugar) and concentration of triglycerides. Boron appears to play a role in carbohydrate metabolism and the production of insulin by the pancreas, which helps regulate stable blood sugar levels. As a result, due to the different uses of boron, it may be considered a potential treatment for certain forms of insulin resistance, offering benefits for managing diabetes.
• Promotes muscle mass: Having adequate levels of boron in the body can enhance the absorption and utilisation of certain minerals and vitamins. This is particularly important for activities such as burning fat, building muscle, and promoting muscle tissue recovery after exercise. Some studies suggest that boron may support healthy testosterone production, which could potentially result in increased energy levels, rapid strength gains, and a reduced risk of age-related muscle loss known as sarcopenia. Furthermore, research indicates that boron may have positive effects on athletic performance by improving cognitive function, reaction time, and hand­–eye coordination along with maintaining stronger bones and joints, thus minimising pain. These potential benefits have led to the inclusion of boron in some protein powders and athletic supplements. However, further research is still required to determine whether boron alone can definitively impact body composition and physical abilities or if its effects are influenced by other factors.
• Helps prevent arthritis: Boron is an important mineral that helps keep your joints healthy and reduces arthritis pain. It plays a vital role in incorporating calcium into your joint cartilage, which protects you against joint deterioration and damage. Studies have shown that people with lower levels of boron in their joint fluids and bones have a higher risk of developing arthritis than those with higher boron levels. Additionally, research has found that taking boron supplements can make our bones stronger and more resistant to cuts. Epidemiological studies have also revealed that areas, where people consume less boron (around one milligram or less per day), have a higher prevalence of arthritis, while regions with higher boron intake (around three to 10 milligrams per day) tend to have lower rates of arthritis.

Top 3 Boron Health Benefits for Men

Men consider boron a boon for their health. Why is that so? Read on to understand the boron health benefits for men:

1. Increases the Testosterone Levels:Boron helps to maintain a good level of testosterone androgen hormones in men. Besides, it can enhance the blood flow for a healthier sexual function. Experts recommend taking a boron supplement of 6 mg once daily to treat ED in men. 
2. Improves Cognitive Functions:If taken in the right doses, boron can also help to increase cognitive functions in men such as sharp memory and hand and eye coordination. 
3. Boron is often referred to as a ‘brain food’ because it can have positive effects on brain function. It has been found to improve motor control, enhance task performance, enhance short-term memory, and boost attention. On the other hand, research suggests that low levels of boron can lead to hinder cognitive development and make it difficult to learn and memorise information. In a study comparing healthy adults with less boron intake with those with more intake, it was observed that the group with higher intake showed a significant increase in higher-frequency brain activity and a decrease in low-frequency activity. This resulted in improvements in various cognitive and psychomotor tests, including enhanced motor skills, rapid response times, increased attention, improved coordination, promoted short- and long-term memory, and improved perception. These findings highlight the importance of sufficient boron intake for optimal brain function and cognitive abilities
4. Enhances Athletic Performance: One major benefit of boron is that it helps in enhancing athletic performance. It happens not because boron plays a role in increasing body or muscle mass, but because it helps increase testosterone levels in male athletes and bodybuilders. 

Top 3 Boron Health Benefits for Women

Boron is a mineral that proves beneficial for women’s health in several ways, let’s have a look at all those benefits:

1. Treats Vaginal Yeast Infection: One of the recent uses of boron for women’s health is that it helps treat vaginal yeast infections. Suppository capsules formulated with boric acid when placed inside the vagina can offer relief from recurring vaginal yeast infection.Boric acid, in the form of a natural remedy, is used as an alternative to conventional yeast infection medicines or creams. It is considered a safe and effective approach to treating vaginal infections by promoting rapid healing. In a study comparing boron with a commercial yeast infection cream, it was found that boron was more successful in treating yeast infections. After 7 to 10 days of treatment, 92% of women experienced relief when using boron, compared with 64% using the standard cream. Boron showed no adverse effects and was also a more affordable option than the cream, as it could be easily made at home. This led researchers to conclude that boric acid acts as a natural substance that inhibits the growth of fungi, making it a better and cost-effective choice compared to ‘messy’ vaginal creams.
2. Prevents Hormonal Imbalance: Women suffering from hormonal imbalance issues can also rely on the power of boron for maintaining a hormonal balance in their body. This is one mineral that tends to increase the levels of both estrogen and testosterone hormones.
   Studies conducted on animals have shown a connection between low levels of boron and fertility problems as well as birth defects, suggesting that boron may play a role in promoting healthy reproduction and fetal development. In two small studies carried out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, menopausal women who initially followed a diet low in boron and later switched to a diet higher in boron showed reduced loss of calcium and magnesium through urine. Additionally, their estrogen and testosterone levels increased to levels considered healthy, indicating the potential influence of boron on hormonal balance.
3. Relieves from Menstrual Cramps: One of the boron supplements benefits is that it can help women get great relief from menstrual cramps by consuming boron supplements. Although there is no scientific evidence to prove this, boron is known to offer relief from menstrual cramps in women.  

7 Side Effects of Boron

We feel that one shouldn’t only be aware of boron benefits, but also be aware of its side effects too. So, here is a list of some common side effects of boron that one may experience:

• Dermatitis
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Upper Abdominal Pain
• Green/Blue Discoloration of Feces
• Renal Impairment

Taking very high doses of boron, typically exceeding 15-20 grams, can lead to severe side effects like skin flushing, convulsions, tremors, and even life-threatening situations such as vascular collapse.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) advises caution in boron intake for individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions like breast cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids, as boron supplements or a high intake of boron in the diet may potentially increase hormone production, such as oestrogen and testosterone, in certain individuals.

There have also been reports suggesting that boron supplementation can lower phosphorus levels in the blood. If you are considering taking boron, it is important to consult your healthcare provider first. It’s essential to remember that attempting to treat a medical condition on your own without proper medical guidance and potentially avoiding or delaying standard care can have serious consequences.

Right Dosage of Boron

When you take supplements, it’s important to be cautious about excessive intake. Consuming too many supplements can overload your body and make the elimination of the excess amounts the body doesn’t require difficult. Specifically, for boron supplements, there is no specific recommended daily dose. It’s essential to be mindful of proper supplementation and consult a healthcare professional for guidance.

Experts recommend a maximum of 20 mg/day dosage of boron for adults above 19 years, 17 mg/ day dosage for young adults aged 14 to 18 years, 11 mg/day dosage of boron for kids aged 9 to 13 years, 6 mg/ day dosage of boron for kids aged 4 to 8 years, and 3 mg/ day dosage of boron for children between 1 to 3 years of age. Besides, the accurate dosage of boron will depend on the health condition for which your doctor is advising you to take this mineral.

Boron is generally considered safe for the majority of people, but it’s crucial to be mindful of excessive intake as it can have harmful effects. It’s important to note that there is no available data regarding the safe level of boron for children under the age of 1 year, and its safety during pregnancy has not been thoroughly studied.

Therefore, it is advisable to consult your doctor before considering boron supplements. In most cases, it is unlikely that boron supplements are necessary. It is recommended to focus on increasing boron intake through natural dietary sources such as vegetables and fruits. Foods like raisins, prunes, avocados, and dried apricots are good choices to incorporate into your diet to boost boron levels.

Boron interactions with Other Substances

Boron doesn’t have any known negative effects when taken with medications. However, if you’re taking boron supplements, it might cause more magnesium to stay in your body, which can increase the levels of magnesium in your blood. That’s why it’s important to carefully check the ingredients and nutritional information on supplement labels. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about any potential interactions between the supplement and other medications you’re taking as well as the foods you eat. By doing so, you can make sure you’re taking the supplement safely and effectively, without any unwanted side effects.

The Bottom Line

Market and pharmaceutical stores are full of various boron supplements, so you must either consult a doctor to know which one to consume or research online. Boric acid is known to be the most absorbable form of boron, still, make sure to first identify for which health benefit you want to consume it, and then choose the best boron supplement accordingly.