Is Boron Safe to Take?
Written by Ben Bunting: BA, PGCert. (Sport & Exercise Nutrition) // British Army Physical Training Instructor // S&C Coach.
-
Boron is a trace element that's naturally present in a variety of foods and can be found in dietary supplements. It's been shown to have a wide range of health benefits including arthritis relief, bone growth, immune function and hormone regulation.
It may also help reduce the risk of kidney stones. This is because boron works to lower calcium levels in the blood and increase vitamin D levels.
What is Boron?
Boron is the only non-metal element in the group 13 of the periodic table. It is an electron deficient p-element with a vacant p-orbital that allows it to behave like a strong Lewis acid in its ground state.
It has a wide range of chemical properties. Its chemistry is highly similar to that of carbon. Its tensile strength is the highest of any known element, and it can form stable molecular networks. It is also an electrical insulator at standard temperatures and conducts heat as well as a metal.
The boron that is found naturally on Earth comes in the form of borate minerals, such as sodium tetraborate decahydrate Na2B4O7 * 10H2O, commonly called borax. It is an important chemical compound used for a variety of industrial applications, including the insulation of fiberglass and the bleaching of cotton.
Because it is a very hard material, boron can be used as an abrasive or as an alloy in ceramics and refractory materials. It can also be used to make titanium boride, which is used as an additive in nuclear power plants for controlling the rate of thermal neutrons.
In addition to boron's industrial applications, it is also an essential nutrient for plants. It is found in fruits, vegetables, and grains. Vegetarians have higher boron intakes than nonvegetarians, and it is recommended that pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers consume boron-rich foods to support the growth of their babies.
However, there is no evidence that boron has any negative effects on human health or well-being.
A small amount of boron is absorbed by plants and animals. Plants absorb boron from soil, and animals can be exposed to it from grazing or eating certain plants that contain boron, such as spinach.
Boron is an important nutrient for infants and children, as it helps to maintain the normal development of bones and teeth. It is also an important nutrient for adults. In order to achieve adequate boron levels, it is important for adults to consume a variety of foods that are rich in this element, such as nuts, seeds, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
How to take Boron supplements
Boron is a trace mineral that can be found in many different foods. However, it is essential to consume a healthy diet in order to get enough of the nutrient.
Most people should be getting enough of this nutrient from their diet alone, but some may need to supplement with a boron supplement to ensure that they are receiving the right amount of boron. There are many types of boron supplements available on the market, so it is important to choose one that will provide you with all of the boron that you need.
A boron deficiency can cause serious health problems, such as bone loss and osteoporosis. Insufficient boron can also lead to low levels of vitamin D and testosterone in the body.
It is important to note that boron supplements should not be taken by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. They should also not be taken by children under age six, as boron can make them sick.
In addition to its role in promoting strong bones, boron can also be helpful for women going through menopause. It can increase calcium levels in the blood and prevent steroid hormones from reducing bone density.
Another way that boron can benefit men is by reducing the risk of prostate cancer. As men age, their risk of developing this disease increases, so it is important for them to ensure that they are getting the boron they need in order to keep their prostates healthy.
Finally, boron can be useful for people who have kidney stones, as it helps to excrete the stones more quickly and can lessen their pain. In fact, in a trial of 14 people with kidney stones, 10 mg of boron per day increased the rate of kidney stone excretion and decreased pain in some patients.
What are the side effects of taking Boron supplements?
Boron is a mineral that helps with bone health and brain function. It also helps your body handle other minerals, like calcium and magnesium.
Research shows that boron is safe to take. It’s not harmful to the body unless it’s taken in too high of a dose. If you take a large amount of boron, you might have side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, weakness, and tremors.
If you have kidney or liver problems, boron may worsen them. It might also increase blood pressure and heart rate, especially in men who drink lots of coffee.
Some people use boron for arthritis, and it may help ease symptoms of the condition. But more research is needed to find out if it really works.
It can also reduce urinary loss of calcium and magnesium, which are important for preventing osteoporosis. In one study, women who took boron supplements for seven weeks had lower calcium and magnesium excretion than those who didn’t take the supplement.
However, if you already take magnesium, boron won’t provide any additional calcium-sparing benefits.
You should avoid boron if you are pregnant or nursing, as it can cause birth defects and other health problems. It can also interact with certain drugs, such as some cancer drugs. It can also increase the risk of bleeding in the stomach or intestines, so you should not take it while you are having surgery.
What are the benefits of taking Boron supplements?
Boron is a vital nutrient that plays an important role in many aspects of your health. It can help you build strong bones, fight inflammation, and boost your immune system.
Ingesting boron supplements can be an effective way to maintain optimal levels of this mineral in your body. It can also reduce your risk for a number of health problems, such as prostate cancer and vaginal yeast infections.
One of the most important benefits of boron is that it helps your body absorb calcium and magnesium, two key bone-building nutrients. When you don't have adequate amounts of these minerals, your bones can be at risk for developing osteoporosis.
In a study of 60 older adults with osteoarthritis, researchers found that those who took a boron supplement (at doses of 1.5 mg or 3 mg daily) for two weeks had significantly less pain and stiffness. They were also able to sleep better and feel more energetic.
The results of this study suggest that boron may be helpful for people who have arthritis, but more research is needed to determine the exact cause of these benefits.
Another benefit of boron is that it increases the amount of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, the form of vitamin D that circulates throughout your body. By increasing the half-life of vitamin D and inhibiting an enzyme called 24-hydroxylase that causes urinary loss of vitamin D, boron can help increase your overall level of vitamin D.
It can also boost your immunity by enhancing antioxidant defense mechanisms. In one study, boron significantly decreased malathion-induced oxidative stress and enhanced the body's ability to regenerate damaged tissues in rats.
Research also suggests that boron can lower PSA, a protein that increases in the early stages of prostate cancer. This can help you avoid cancer by lowering the growth rate of tumor cells.
Conclusion
Boron is a trace mineral that's often added to foods for freshness and to reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses. It's also used in supplements for several health benefits, including reducing arthritis pain, helping with menstrual cramps, and lowering LDL-cholesterol levels.
Benefits of Boron for Women
Besides its many dietary benefits, boron is an important nutrient for women because it supports hormonal parameters (including estrogen). Research has found that boron can boost bone density and help with preventing osteoporosis by facilitating calcium into the bones. It can also help improve mood, increase concentration, and improve cognitive function.
Benefits of Boron for Kidney Stones
In recent studies, boron has been shown to reduce the pain associated with kidney stones by helping to dissolve them. It can also help prevent and relieve the symptoms of pyelonephritis, a chronic inflammation of the kidneys.
Benefits of Boron for Men
Some researchers believe that boron can help reduce the symptoms of prostate cancer in men. This is because boron can lower levels of an enzyme that increases the risk of prostate cancer.
