What is boron? Consider boron as an essential supplement that is not used enough within the general public. Lack of the supplement can stunt plant growth while an excess can inhibit growth. The trace mineral is naturally present in certain foods and the environment. Boron helps maintain the strength of the skeletal structure of the body by supporting its bone density. This helps prevent osteoporosis as well as treating health concerns like arthritis. The supplement also increases muscle mass and strength.
Bodybuilders and athletes use the boron supplement as a means to produce and metabolize the hormone testosterone. As a result, the athletes experience better exercise recovery, ease of pains and aches, while building strong bones and muscle mass. The boron testosterone connection might interest you, but the supplement also improves the central nervous center of the body. (x)
Boron even aids the body in producing and using vitamin D, an essential nutrient for healthy bone development and immune function. (x)
History of Boron
Two French chemists, Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac and Louis-Jaques Thenard and an English chemist Sir Humphry Davy, independently, discovered boron in 1808. The boron group is on the periodic table as Group 13 of chemical elements. Many Group 13 elements play a biological role on our planet, while others, such as thallium, are highly toxic and used as a pesticide. You might be familiar with the compound borax, which the Egyptians used for mummification and medical applications. Today, we use it for things like cleaning and whitening teeth.
In the early 1900s, boron had a lasting stretch as a vital food preservative. After H.W. Wiley for the Department of Agriculture, performed a study “proving” the toxicity of boron, it became practically banned from foods. But boron took another rise in use as a preservative during World War II, by but the middle 1950s, as a food preservative, it became forbidden again. Then, in the 70s and 80s, more research substantiated the importance of boron in both animals and humans’ diets. (x)
Because boron is necessary for most plants at strengthening the cell walls and a trace mineral for humans, researchers over the centuries agree that the supplement has properties that benefit the body in many ways. (x)
What Are the Benefits of Taking Boron?
Studies indicate many boron benefits that prevent health conditions. They include:
- Skin showing aging signs
- Worsening PMS and menopausal symptoms
- Arthritis
- Poor memory
- Osteoporosis and weakening or broken bones
- Weak muscles
- Allergies
- Eye infections
- Candida infection and other yeast infections
- Stomach and digestive parasites
But, check with your doctor for diagnoses, accurate medical information and permission before taking any supplements.
Animals undergoing pain caused by arthritis have benefited from taking boron. These include sheep and horses, as well as domesticated animals. When given, the supplement eases the discomfort and inflammation.
Foods that are high in boron depend on healthy soils to furnish the trace mineral. It’s noted that animals grazing in areas with depleted boron suffers boron deficiency, including less muscle mass and more joint and bone pain than animals farmed on soils rich in boron. (x)
How to Get a Healthy Amount of Boron?
You can find boron in several whole foods like nuts, whole grains, beans and avocados, including fruits like grapes, plums, berries and oranges. (x) You can find the trace mineral in water, though getting boron from whole foods is more beneficial.
You might find it interesting that boron is one of the seven essential nutrients required for plants to grow. Where it is deficient, plants will not grow healthy and manifest certain diseases. The type of boron predominately found in plants is called boric acid. The trace mineral works as a stabilizer of the molecules in plants, such as sterols and polysaccharides. There is more to learn about how boron plays a role in stabilizing humans and plants. (x)
Some support the idea that boron aids in balancing pH levels while assisting the body in assimilating minerals like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus by generating enough digestive enzymes. More needs to be learned about boron deficiencies and positive effects influenced by taking this supplement. One actively researched aspect about the trace mineral is it increases estrogen levels in healthy women and men, which links to healthy bones and fewer indications of age-related health concerns—arthritis and cognitive degeneration. (x)
What is the Recommended Dosage for Boron?
If you eat a variety of whole food, you might be getting enough boron or you can take a supplement, but check with your doctor to make sure. Though the USDA reports, most individuals consume enough boron, depending on where and how the food is farmed and prepared.
You might be getting enough boron from foods such as apples, beans, milk, coffee, and potatoes. These foods offer roughly 27 percent of the boron you consume. Fruit, vegetables and legumes are top providers in an average diet in America.
With limited research focusing on the exact role boron plays in the body, authorities such as the USDA haven’t set a precise biological principle for boron in humans or the average daily intake and recommended daily allowance (RDA).
To compensate for the lack of definite RDA governed by the authorities is an “upper limit” for the compound. They formulated an indication of the amount of boron people can ingest and still maintain their health without experiencing signs of toxicity or deficiency. (x) The “upper limit” per day for boron depends on the gender and age group:
- 1–3 years: 3 mg
- 4–8 years: 6 mg
- 9–13 years: 11 mg
- 14–18 years: 17 mg
- Adults 19–50 years: 20 mg
- Pregnant women: 17–20 mg
- Breastfeeding Women: 17- 20 mg
Looking at the “upper limit” further, the maximum amount without harmful results is 20 mg per day for adults, including pregnant or breastfeeding women who are over 19 years of age.
Take into account that a daily dose of 2.5 to 6 mg is where most studies administer that amount for strength conditioning and osteoarthritis. (x)
Now, take a look at the lowest active dose at 3 mg per day compared to 20 mg a day as the highest dose. Based on studies, it is encouraged to begin taking boron at the lowest “upper limit” dose, which is 3 to 6 mg a day, and then build that if you feel it is necessary. (x)
Nevertheless, you want to be on the safe side and consult with your doctor for diagnoses, accurate medical information and permission before taking any supplements.
Health Benefits Related to Boron
- Fortifies Bones
Boron can inhibit bone loss by advancing calcium directly into the bones, which is the primary mineral engaged in bone mineralization. It includes assisting in the prevention of porous and weakened bones. The compound also safeguards bones as a part in regulating the function of estrogen.
Furthermore, studies indicate boron helps the body generate and utilize vitamin D better as a vital nutrient for the healthy formation of bones. It includes several other positive aspects like reinforcing the central nervous system and immune function.
A study performed by the Department of Orthopedics at Red Cross Hospital in China discovered that boron as a supplement increases the formation of bones and prevents the gradual breakdown of bones. In that, it produces a therapeutic defense against osteoporosis in animal models. Rats on a deprived boron diet suffered spongy bones, bone loss in lumbar vertebrae and femurs, compounded with osteoporotic conditions. On the other side of the study, rats consuming high-boron supplements indicated advanced bone mass, volume, thickness and advanced levels of estradiol, a hormone connected to bone health. (x)
- Helps Inhibit Arthritis
Boron is vital for integrating calcium into the cartilage joints, helping to fight arthritis and joint deterioration. Research indicates that individuals with lower boron concentrations in their bones and synovia, a fluid that reduces joint friction, suffer higher degrees of arthritis compared to individuals with higher boron levels. Supporting this finding is another study that proves that individuals who use boron supplements have stronger bones, which are harder to cut than those who don’t use the supplement. (x)
- Strengthens Cognitive Performance and Brain Function
A study performed on healthy older men and women indicated those who took lower levels of the boron contributed to a much lower performance versus those who received higher levels of the supplement. The men and women performed various cognitive and dexterity tests like eye-hand coordination and attention perception, including short-term and long-term memory. (x)
- Stabilizes Hormones
The trace mineral helps balance both estrogen and testosterone hormones for both women and men, respectively. Boron also helps alleviate menopausal symptoms, including PMS, while increasing fertility.
In studies conducted on animals and humans, the depletion of boron related to congenital disabilities and fertility problems. Meaning, the supplement plays a vital role in healthy fetus development and reproduction. (x)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture performed two studies regarding menopausal women. They were first given a diet of low levels of boron and then a rich diet of boron. The women had a more moderate loss or both calcium and magnesium through the urine and a higher and healthy level of both estrogen and testosterone. (x)
- Treats and Prevents Yeast Infections
Most tablets that treat yeast infections for women contain boron as an active ingredient. The supplement is a form of boric acid used as a natural solution to over-the-counter medicines for yeast infections or creams. Boron is a safe and workable alternative when inserted into the vagina to speed up the healing process of painful infections.
Based on a double-blind study that compared boron with a commercial-type yeast infection cream made of nystatin, boron outperformed by over 30 percent. The supplement caused no side effects and cost much less than the cream, concluding that boric acid is a cost-effective, natural fungistatic and works better than conventional vaginal creams. (x)
- Supports Healthy Muscle Mass
When the body has high boron levels, the absorption of specific vitamins and minerals is better, which is vital for developing muscle and burning fat. It also prevents pain by facilitating muscle recovery. Additionally, boron also supports healthy testosterone production that leads to increased energy levels for quicker gains in strength.
You may notice some protein powders and athletic supplements containing boron, which helps the body’s composition and physical attributes and abilities.
- May Help Inhibit Diabetes
A study performed on rats indicated that lower levels of boron increased physiological results of diabetes that influenced blood triglyceride concentrations and glucose levels. Boron also helped the metabolism of carbohydrates and the insulin-making by the pancreas, which controls the blood sugar levels. (x)
More studies need to be performed and reported before we see boron used as a treatment for insulin resistance.
- Heals Skin and Prevents Infections
Though very little information is available to support the positive effects boron has on skin and infections. It should be noted that it acts as an astringent. It may serve as a prevention and treatment for infections on the skin such as lowering inflammation, redness, pain and other apparent irritations.
Some individuals use the compound as a natural eyewash, helping to eliminate bacteria that cause sties and other infections. A 1990 report indicates treating deep wounds with boron (boric acid) with success. (x)
Potential Side Effects Caused by Boron
Taking boron in excess may cause vomiting, nausea, indigestion, diarrhea and headache. You should avoid taking the supplement in high doses, which may result in skin flush, convulsions, tremors and organ failure.
People with hormone-sensitive conditions, such as uterine fibroids, breast cancer or endometriosis, should avoid taking high levels of boron. Since the elimination of the compound is predominately through the kidneys, those with kidney health concerns may want to avoid the supplement.
Pregnant, nursing mothers and children may want to avoid taking boron or using borax acid unless they receive medical approval.
Where to Buy Boron
You can purchase Boron supplements at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor for pure dietary supplements. BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other brands that distribute food and other supplement products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.
Are you interested in trying the supplements to support your bone density, muscle mass, hormone balance or central nervous system? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order today.
Bottom Line
Now that you know about boron and its role in developing healthy bodies of both animals and humans, consider talking to your medical practitioner about the benefits of taking the supplement. The fact that it increases bone density, muscle mass and cognitive behavior is enough validation to support the consumption of foods high in boron like coffee, milk, legumes, berries, avocados and oranges. You can also take the supplement or protein powders and athletic supplements that contain boron for your overall health.
If you have a questionable health concern like hormone-sensitivity issues or kidney problems, you may want to take lower doses of boron or avoid it altogether. Signs of consuming too much boron include indigestion, headache, skin flush, convulsions and organ failure.
The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.