From The February 2001 Issue of Nutrition Science News

Beyond the Label: Boron, the 'B' Mineral

by Anthony Almada

The little-known mineral boron has recently stepped into the human nutrition limelight. It appears that boron may influence the production of hormones (including the active form of vitamin D), improve brain and psychological functions, and exert immune-boosting activity.¹

In one trial, 12 postmenopausal women who had been eating a diet low in boron—devoid of fruits and vegetables—received a 3 mg/day boron supplement for 119 days.²The women showed a dramatic increase in blood estradiol (the most potent of the naturally produced estrogens), a reduction in calcium excretion, and a significant increase in blood levels of testosterone—changes consistent with the prevention of bone demineralization.

A 1997 study involving 18 healthy young men found that 10 mg/day of boron had no substantial effect on testosterone levels, but it did increase plasma levels of estradiol, which the researchers suggest may protect against atherosclerosis.³ Ongoing studies are focusing on the naturally occurring molecules for which boron has an affinity, including S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe). For example, because other studies have shown boron may have a positive effect on osteoarthritis by helping to preserve bone, it may be used in concert with SAMe to relieve painful arthritis symptoms.⁴

Anthony Almada is a nutritional and exercise biochemist and has collaborated on more than 50 university­clinical trials. He is the co-founder of EAS and founder and chief scientific officer of IMAGINutrition.

References

1. Penland JG. The importance of boron nutrition for brain and psychological function. Biol Trace Elem Res 1998;66:299-317.

2. Nielsen FH, et al. Effect of dietary boron on mineral, estrogen, and testosterone metabolism in postmenopausal women. FASEB J 1987;394-7.

3. Naghii MR, Samman S. The effect of boron supplementation on its urinary excretion and selected cardiovascular risk factors in healthy male subjects. Biol Trace Elem Res 1997;273-86.

4. Ralston NVC, Hunt CD. Biological boron interactions: charge and structure characteristics required for Boroester formation with biomolecules. FASEB J 2000;14:A538.