Boron is a nonmetallic element present in the diet and in the human body in trace amounts.
Whether boron is an essential nutrient for humans remains in debate.
Where is it found?
Raisins, prunes, and nuts are generally
excellent sources of boron. Fruit (other than
citrus), vegetables, and legumes also typically contain significant amounts.
Actual amounts vary widely, depending upon boron levels in soil where the food is grown.
Boron has been used in
connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual
health concern for complete information):
Who is likely to be deficient?
As boron is not yet considered an essential nutrient for humans, it is not clear whether
deficiencies occur. However, diets that are low in fruit,
vegetables, legumes, and nuts provide less boron than diets that contain more
of these foods.
How much is usually taken?
A leading boron expert has suggested 1 mg per day of boron is a reasonable amount to
consume.1 People who eat adequate amounts of produce, nuts, and
legumes are likely already eating two to six times this amount.2 Therefore,
whether the average person would benefit by supplementing with this mineral remains
unclear.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Accidental acute exposure to high levels of boron can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal
pain, rash, convulsions, and other symptoms.3 Although chronic exposures can cause
related problems, the small (usually 1–3 mg per day) amounts found in supplements have
not been linked with toxicity in most reports. Nonetheless, in one double-blind trial using
2.5 mg of boron per day for two months, hot flashes and night sweats worsened in 21 of 43
women, though the same symptoms improved in 10 others.4 Women whose have hot
flashes or night sweats have been diagnosed as
menopausal symptoms and who supplement with boron should consider discontinuing use of
boron-containing supplements to see if the severity of their symptoms is reduced.
One study found that 3 mg per day resulted in increased estrogen and testosterone levels.5
Increased estrogen has also been reported in several women taking 2.5 mg per day.6
The increase in estrogen is of concern because it could theoretically increase the risk of
several cancers. Although no increased risk of
cancer has been reported in areas of the world where boron intake is high, some doctors
recommend that supplemental boron intake be limited to a maximum of 1 mg per day.
The relationship between boron and other minerals is complex and remains poorly understood.
Boron may conserve the body’s use of
calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. In one study, the ability of boron to
reduce urinary loss of calcium disappeared when subjects were also given
magnesium.7 Therefore, boron may provide no special benefit in maintaining bone
mass in the presence of adequate amounts of dietary magnesium.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions
with boron.
References:1. Nielsen FH. Facts and fallacies about boron. Nutr Today
1992(May/Jun):6–12.
2. Kelly GS. Boron: a review of its nutritional interactions and
therapeutic uses. Altern Med Rev 1997;2:48–56 [review].
3. Nielsen FH. Ultratrace minerals: Boron. In: Shils ME, Young VR (eds).
Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger 1988,
281–3 [review].
4. Nielsen FH, Penland JG. Boron supplementation of peri-menopausal women
affects boron metabolism and indices associated with macromineral metabolism, hormonal status
and immune function. J Trace Elem Exp Med 1999;12:251–61.
5. Nielsen FH, Hunt CD, Mullen LM, Hunt JR. Effect of dietary boron on
mineral, estrogen, and testosterone metabolism in postmenopausal women. FASEB J
1987;1:394–7.
6. Nielsen FH, Penland JG. Boron supplementation of per-menopausal women
affects boron metabolism and indices associated with macromineral metabolism, hormonal status
and immune function. J Trace Elem Exp Med 1999;12:251–61.
7. Hunt CD, Herbel JL, Nielsen FH. Metabolic responses of postmenopausal
women to supplemental dietary boron and aluminum during usual and low magnesium intake: boron,
calcium, and magnesium absorption and retention and blood mineral concentrations. Am J
Clin Nutr 1997;65:803–13.