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Boron

Overview

Boron is a mineral that is found in food such as nuts and the environment. People take boron supplements as medicine.

Boron is used for boron deficiency, menstrual cramps, and vaginal yeast infections. It is sometimes used for athletic performance, osteoarthritis, weak or brittle bones (osteoporosis), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific research to support these other uses.

Boron was used as a food preservative between 1870 and 1920, and during World Wars I and II.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Mineral

Primary Functions:

Boron deficiency

Also Known As:

Acide Borique, Anhydride Borique, Atomic number 5

How Does It Work?

Boron seems to affect the way the body handles other minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. It also seems to increase estrogen levels in older (post-menopausal) women and healthy men. Estrogen is thought to be helpful in maintaining healthy bones and mental function. Boric acid, a common form of boron, can kill yeast that cause vaginal infections. Boron may have antioxidant effects.

Uses

  • Boron deficiency.Taking boron by mouth prevents boron deficiency.
  • Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Some research shows that taking boron 10 mg by mouth daily around the time of menstrual bleeding reduces pain in young women with painful periods.
  • Vaginal yeast infections. Some research shows that boric acid, used inside the vagina, can successfully treat yeast infections (candidiasis), including infections that do not seem to get better with other medications and treatments. However, the quality of this research is in question.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

  • For painful periods: Boron 10 mg daily from two days before until three days after the start of menstrual flow.
  • There is no Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for boron since an essential biological role for it has not been identified. People consume varying amounts of boron depending on their diet. Diets considered to be high in boron provide approximately 3.25 mg of boron per 2000 kcal per day. Diets considered to be low in boron provide 0.25 mg of boron per 2000 kcal per day.

    The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), the maximum dose at which no harmful effects would be expected, is 20 mg per day for adults and pregnant or breast-feeding women over 19 years of age.

VAGINALLY:

  • For vaginal infections: 600 mg of boric acid powder once or twice a day.

CHILDREN

BY MOUTH:

  • General: There is no Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for boron since an essential biological role for it has not been identified. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), the maximum dose at which no harmful effects would be expected, is 17 mg per day for adolescents 14 to 18 years of age and pregnant or breast-feeding women 14 to 18 years of age. For children 9 to 13 years old, the UL is 11 mg per day; children 4 to 8 years old, 6 mg per day; and children 1 to 3 years old, 3 mg per day. A UL has not been established for infants.

Boron Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What is boron supplement good for?

Boron is a mineral that is found in food and the environment. People take boron supplements as medicine. Boron is used for building strong bones, treating osteoarthritis, as an aid for building muscles and increasing testosterone levels, and for improving thinking skills and muscle coordination.

Should I take boron supplements?

Research suggests 3 mg per day is necessary for its beneficial health effects. Over-consumption of boron is unlikely. Toxicity levels for the average adult are upwards of 17 mg-20 mg of boron per day according to the Food and Nutrition Board.

How many mg of boron should I take daily?

Tolerable upper intake levels (UL) for boron are: adults 19 years and older, 20 mg/day; adolescents 14 to 18 years of age, 17 mg/day; children 9 to 13 years of age, 11 mg/day; children 4 to 8 years of age, 6 mg/day; children 1 to 3 years of age, 3 mg/day.

Can boron increase testosterone?

According to a 2015 review of boron literature published in IMCJ, taking a 6-mg dose of boron for just a week has the following benefits: increases the metabolism of the total testosterone in your body to free testosterone , which is used for many sex-related functions.

Can boron cause hair loss?

Effects on Hair Growth of Drugs

Boric acid which is sometimes used in mouthwashes may if used too often cause a gradually increasing diffuse hair loss due to high levels of boron in the system. Excessive intake of Vitamin A can cause severe hair loss as well as symptoms similar to arthritis in the joints.

Does boron help balance hormones?

Supports Metabolic Processes

Boron increases the half-life as well and the bioavailability of other supplements you may be taking through its production of estrogen and other vital hormones. Boron allows your body to work smarter, not harder.

Is boron bad for your kidneys?

If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, avoid supplemental boron or high amounts of boron from foods. Kidney disease or problems with kidney function: Do not take boron supplements if you have kidney problems. The kidneys have to work hard to flush out boron.

How long does it take for boron to start working?

The exact dosage can vary from person to person, but the best evidence shows that the ideal amount for increased testosterone or ED treatment is 6 mg of boron supplements once daily. Research suggests that you may start to notice a difference after taking this dose for a week.

Does boron make you gain weight?

Oppositely some animal researches revealed that over physiologic amounts (3mg/kg/day) of dietary boron supplementation causes weight gaining 10. Some toxicity researches expressing body weight reducing in the high boric acid intake doses.

What are the symptoms of boron deficiency?

Identification: Because of boron's involvement in cell growth, symptoms of boron deficiency are expressed at growing tips of the root or shoot, and generally include stunting and distortion of the growing tip that can lead to tip death, brittle foliage, and yellowing of lower leaf tips.

Which foods contain boron?

Boron and Healthful Diets

  • Includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, and oils. Many fruits are rich sources of boron. Potatoes, milk, and milk products also contain boron.
  • Peanuts and other legumes contain boron.

Is boron good for arthritis?

Since 1963, evidence has accumulated that suggests boron is a safe and effective treatment for some forms of arthritis. A significant favorable response to a 6 mg boron/day supplement was obtained; 50% of subjects receiving the supplement improved compared to only 10% receiving the placebo.

How do you get boron in your diet?

Boron is an element found naturally in leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach. It can also be found in grains, prunes, raisins, noncitrus fruits, and nuts. A person's daily diet typically contains 1.5 to 3 milligrams (mg) of boron.

Is boron good for females?

Boron seems to affect the way the body handles other minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. It also seems to increase estrogen levels in older (post-menopausal) women and healthy men. Boric acid, a common form of boron, can kill yeast that cause vaginal infections. Boron may have antioxidant effects.

Does boron kill Candida?

Boric acid has been used to treat vaginal infections for over 100 years. Not only is it antiviral and antifungal, but it also works to treat both Candida albicans and the more resistant Candida glabrata yeast strains.

Does boron help you sleep?

Boron helps those with chronic fatigue by improving sleep.

Can boron reverse osteoporosis?

Boron is a trace element, which means that your body doesn't need large amounts of it. As well, boron has properties that aid in the treatment of osteoporosis by activating vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy bone formation. You need between 3 and 5 mg of boron a day to help treat osteoporosis.

Can boron be toxic?

Boron compounds are toxic to all species tested at high doses, but they are not mutagenic or carcinogenic. The major chronic toxicities are developmental and reproductive.  In animals, the main toxic effect associated with boron involves the reproductive system.

Does boron strengthen bones?

Bones and joints

Boron can aid in keeping your bones strong along with possibly improving brain function. Boron is known to play a role in extending the half-life of vitamin D and estrogen. Estrogen is another hormone that plays a role in bone health. It protects against bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis.

Is boron good for hair?

Effects on Hair Growth of Drugs

Boric acid which is sometimes used in mouthwashes may if used too often cause a gradually increasing diffuse hair loss due to high levels of boron in the system. Excessive intake of Vitamin A can cause severe hair loss as well as symptoms similar to arthritis in the joints.

Which type of boron is best?

Best Boron Supplements

  • Now Supplements.
  • Life Extension Boron 3 MG.
  • Swanson Triple Boron Complex.
  • Pure Encapsulations.
  • Nutricost Boron Capsules.

Clinical Studies

 

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