Health benefits of Boron

Functions of Boron

Boron is an essential trace element and its importance cannot be ignored. Boron should be part of ones daily diet to ensure a healthy and disease free life. Some of the health benefits of boron are as under:

Mineral Metabolism: Boron helps to regulate body’s use of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Boron may likewise help to alleviate the detrimental effects of vitamin D deficiency on calcium metabolism. Vitamin D is crucial to bone health because it helps to support calcium absorption

Boron and cell growth: During experiments at Rutger University, it was discovered that the main task of boron is to control cell growth. It thus helps to prevent abnormalities in growth. It prevents tumours and cysts in body.

Boron and human nutrition: Human studies about boron and role in human nutrition dates to as earlier as 1990. Low boron has resulted in depressed plasma ionized calcium and urinary excretion of calcium similar to seen in osteoporosis.

Boron and female metabolism: Recent studies have suggested possible role of boron deficiency in osteoporosis. Boron supplementation have shown increase in bone density in female control groups. The nutritional value of boron has been investigated particularly actively since 1989 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted an experiment which saw a group of postmenopausal women take 3 mg of boron a day. The results of the trial showed that boron can reduce excretion of calcium by 44%, and activate estrogen and vitamin D.

Boron for bodybuilders: Boron is found to be involved in steroid metabolism and has sparked interest in athletes and bodybuilders for boosting testosterone levels, strength and muscle mass. Boron supplements have been promoted as testosterone booster. Boron is thought to be useful to increase muscle mass; increase muscle strength; maintain bone density; improve calcium absorption; decrease body fat. However, specific research on athletes has not yet confirmed this association that boron alone will boost testosterone.

Boron and brain: Some studies towards role of boron in brain development have showed deficiency of boron leading to decreased memory, eye hand coordination and attention.

Boron and arthritis – A controlled study have showed boron supplements to be effective on joint pain and movement in arthritis patients. Boron works very well in alleviating arthritis, partly due to its crucial role of calcium integration into the cartilage and bone. Aging is partly associated with weakening of the bones as they become increasingly porous – adequate Boron can prevent this aging effect.

Boron and sex hormones: Boron is essential for oestrogen production, and can have a rapid effect in helping menopausal women.  It helps in restoration of Sex drive and reduction in hot flushes in menopausal women. Boron helps raise level of natural sex hormones in the body, and thus eliminate need for any HRT or Hormone replacement therapy.

Antibiotic action of boron: Boron reduces severity of fungal infections and protects the body from a host of parasitic attacks such as Candida Albicans.

Boron and cancer therapy: Studies have shown that Boron plays role in protecting men against prostate cancer. One study revealed that prostate cancer risk can be reduced simply by consuming a greater amount of boron-rich foods.

Recommended daily allowance of boron is 2 mg from adequate average diet. A daily intake of over 100 mg of boron can produce toxic symptom. Boric acid was used as a preservative, but has been declared unsafe as a food additive by FAO/WHO expert committee.

Resource: The role of boron in human nutrition, Eric Winder