What is boron?
Boron is a trace mineral with biological effects, though its essentiality is debated.
What are boron's benefits?
It seems to be able to reduce levels of inflammatory markers, and may reduce rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and menstural cramps, though much more research is needed before we can be confident in these benefits. It also might have a small positive effect on LDL-cholesterol, but this is far from certain.
What are boron's side-effects and drawbacks?
It seems to be generally safe, though human research on its adverse effects is lacking, so smaller doses may be warranted.
Dosage information
The lowest active dose of Boron supplementation appears to be 3mg, which is effective in supporting hormonal parameters in postmenopausal women. Studies on osteoarthritis have used 6mg of Boron while studies in youth investigating hormonal changes have used 10mg.
The optimal dose is currently not known, but the above doses appear to be active for their aforementioned goals.
Research Breakdown
Examine Database References
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) - Hussain SA, Abood SJ, Gorial FIThe adjuvant use of calcium fructoborate and borax with etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Pilot studyJ Intercult Ethnopharmacol.(2016 Dec 8)
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) - Rogoveanu OC, Mogoşanu GD, Bejenaru C, Bejenaru LE, Croitoru O, Neamţu J, Pietrzkowski Z, Reyes-Izquierdo T, Biţă A, Scorei ID, Scorei RIEffects of Calcium Fructoborate on Levels of C-Reactive Protein, Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein, Triglycerides, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1: a Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical StudyBiol Trace Elem Res.(2015 Feb)
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) - Naghii MR, Mofid M, Asgari AR, Hedayati M, Daneshpour MSComparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokinesJ Trace Elem Med Biol.(2011 Jan)
- Dysmenorrhea Symptoms - Nikkhah S, Dolatian M, Naghii MR, Zaeri F, Taheri SMEffects of boron supplementation on the severity and duration of pain in primary dysmenorrheaComplement Ther Clin Pract.(2015 May)
- Testosterone - Green NR, Ferrando AAPlasma boron and the effects of boron supplementation in malesEnviron Health Perspect.(1994 Nov)
- Estrogen - Nielsen FH, Hunt CD, Mullen LM, Hunt JREffect of dietary boron on mineral, estrogen, and testosterone metabolism in postmenopausal womenFASEB J.(1987 Nov)
- Estrogen - Nielsen F, Penland JBoron supplementation of peri‐menopausal women affects boron metabolism and indices associated with macromineral metabolism, hormonal status and immune functionJ Trace Elem Med Biol.()
- Kidney Stone Symptoms - Mohammad R Naghii, Behzad Einollahi, Zohreh RostamiPreliminary evidence hints at a protective role for boron in urolithiasisJ Altern Complement Med.(2012 Mar)
- Total cholesterol - Scorei R, Mitrut P, Petrisor I, Scorei IA double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study to evaluate the effect of calcium fructoborate on systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia markers for middle-aged people with primary osteoarthritisBiol Trace Elem Res.(2011 Dec)
- Serum Magnesium - Meacham SL, Taper LJ, Volpe SLEffect of boron supplementation on blood and urinary calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and urinary boron in athletic and sedentary womenAm J Clin Nutr.(1995 Feb)
- Triglycerides - Militaru C, Donoiu I, Craciun A, Scorei ID, Bulearca AM, Scorei RIOral resveratrol and calcium fructoborate supplementation in subjects with stable angina pectoris: effects on lipid profiles, inflammation markers, and quality of lifeNutrition.(2013 Jan)
- Pain - Pietrzkowski Z, Phelan MJ, Keller R, Shu C, Argumedo R, Reyes-Izquierdo TShort-term efficacy of calcium fructoborate on subjects with knee discomfort: a comparative, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studyClin Interv Aging.(2014 Jun 5)