| Dietary sources | |
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Boron is a metalloid which occurs in soils at varying concentrations. As an essential structural building block in plant cell walls, the metalloid occurs mainly in plant foods. Vegetarians, for example, consume more boron than omnivores. |
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| Physiological effects | |
| Bone metabolism |
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| Hormonal synthesis |
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| Prostate health |
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| Boron as a metabolic regulator of micronutrients and steroid hormones |
| Physiologically, boron regulates the activity of many enzymes and the metabolism of steroid hormones and certain micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium and vitamin D. A diet low in boron leads to increased calcium loss through the urine. A worsening of vitamin D deficiency symptoms, such as bone deformities, can also be observed (2). |
| Boron for the prevention and prophylaxis of osteoporosis and arthrosis |
| Boron is considered a newcomer in the nutritional prevention and therapy of osteoporosis and arthrosis. Boron can have a positive effect on bone metabolism on several levels. Firstly, it maintains the homeostasis of calcium and magnesium. It reduces the renal excretion of calcium and thus increases calcium concentration in the blood. Secondly, as a hydroxy group donor, boron influences the level of active vitamin D (2) by hydroxylation of 25-OH-cholecalciferol. Last but not least, the bone-protective effect can also be traced back to its role in 17-beta-estradiol formation (3). Human and animal studies document a bone-hardening effect resulting from the administration of boron (4) (5) (6). Studies also show a connection with arthrosis. Boron influences corticosteroid metabolism and thus can reduce the symptoms of arthritis (2). People with rheumatoid arthritis have lower concentrations of boron in bone and synovial fluid than healthy people. Epidemiological data also show that in areas where boron intake is 1 mg or less, the estimated arthrosis incidence is between 20 and 70%, while in areas with boron intake of 3 to 10 mg it is 0 to 10% (4). |
| Anti-inflammatory effect of boron |
| The arthrosis process is subjectively relieved by the anti-inflammatory effects of boron. The antiphlogistic effect of boron is probably due to the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the inhibition of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase, which are key hormones of the inflammatory cascade (7) (8). |
| Boron influences metabolism of steroid hormones |
| A number of studies have documented the influence of boron on the metabolism of steroid hormones. The chemical nature of boron allows it to form complexes with organic structures containing hydroxyl groups. Such hydroxylation processes are necessary for the synthesis of 17-beta-estradiol and testosterone. Postmenopausal women can benefit from taking boron supplements (2). In postmenopausal women, a 7-week daily supplemetation of 3 mg boron led to a doubling of 17-beta estradiol levels and testosterone concentrations (9). Men who received 10 mg boron in the form of sodium tetraborate for 4 weeks also experienced a significant increase in 17-beta estradiol levels and a slight increase in plasma concentrations of testosterone (10). There are contradictory results on the function of boron in steroid hormone and mineral metabolism. The effect of boron in these metabolic processes likely comes in to effect when there is a dietary deficiency of vitamin D, magnesium or both (11). |
| Boron reduces the incidence of prostate carcinoma |
| Increased boron intake seems to reduce the likelihood of developing prostate cancer. In 2007, an American study investigated the correlation between prostate cancer incidence and mortality and groundwater concentrations of boron and selenium. While selenium levels in groundwater showed no effect, an increased boron concentration in water correlated with a reduced risk of incidence and mortality of prostate cancer (12). The connection between boron and prostate cancer was also examined in another study. Scientists from Turkey compared men who worked in boron mines or lived in villages with high boron levels in drinking water with a control group. The daily boron intake was calculated using renal boron excretion. The researchers found no significant differences in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values between the two groups. Nevertheless, men exposed to high boron concentrations showed a significantly lower prostate volume compared to the control group in the biopsy. According to the researchers, boron probably interferes with the cellular processes of the prostate and thus may influence hyperplasia or carcinogenesis (13). |
| Boron influences neurological, psychological and cognitive functions |
| Boron can influence brain functions as well as cognitive and neurological parameters. Boron depletion leads to a reduction in electrical brain activity. Attention, dexterity and short-term memory also deteriorate (14). Supplementation of boron can improve cognitive and mental functions. Ain healthy older men and women, a boron-rich diet is associated with better cognitive and psychomotor skills. (15) |
| Boron has a beneficial effect on the periodontium |
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Boron appears to increase both the odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation of stem cells of human teeth, suggesting that boron plays an important role during the growth and development of teeth. Although current studies cannot show any positive effects of boron supplementation on tooth structure, they do point to an increase in alveolar bone mineral density. Furthermore, in a study on mice, the withdrawal of a boron-rich diet led to reduced alveolar bone formation. Boron could therefore prove to be an essential micronutrient for the preservation of the periodontium.
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D-A-CH reference values for the intake of boron (Reference values EFSA and NHI   ) |
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| Age | Boron (mg/d) | ||
| Infants (months) | |||
| 0-4 | N/A | ||
| 4-12 | N/A | ||
| Children (years) | |||
| 1-4 | N/A | ||
| 4-7 | N/A | ||
| 7-10 | N/A | ||
| 10-13 | N/A | ||
| 13-15 | N/A | ||
| Teenagers/adults (years) | Women | Men | |
| 15-19 | N/A | N/A | |
| 19-25 | N/A | N/A | |
| 25-51 | N/A | N/A | |
| 51-65 | N/A | N/A | |
| > 65 | N/A | N/A | |
| Pregnant Women | N/A | ||
| Breastfeeding Women | N/A | ||
| Increased need | Age, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis | ||
| Acceptable level of intake for adults according to WHO | 1 - 13 mg/d |
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| Reference value according to food labelling regulations | ||
| (= 100 % TB marking on label) | N/A | |
| Nutrient safety | ||
| UL |
Long-term daily intake, at which no negative effects on health are to be expected | 10 mg/d (according to EFSA) |
| NOAEL |
Maximum intake, which, in studies, have not caused any harmful effects | 9,6 mg/d |
| Safety | EFSA has been working on the safety of boron. |
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| Impact on | Symptoms |
| Bone metabolism | Negative influences on bone density due to increased losses of calcium and magnesium |
| Hormonal balance | Reduction of steroid hormone levels |
| Prostate health | Reduced inhibitory effect on growth factors (IGF) in the carcinogenesis of prostate tumors |
| Effect | Indication | Dosage |
| Physiological effects at low intake |
To increase the supply of boron in the diet | 3 mg/d |
| For the targeted treatment of boron deficiency conditions in the case of a low boron status determined by reference values | 3 mg/d | |
| Complementary therapy for osteoporosis und arthrosis | 3 mg/d | |
| Pharmacological effects at a high intake |
Complementary therapy for prostate carcinoma | 6 - 9 mg/d |
| General mode of administration | |
| When |
Boron should be taken between meals (60 minutes before) as other micronutrients and food components can interfere with absorption. |
| Side effects | |
| No side effects are known to date, | |
| Contraindications | |
| During pregnancy, use only after consultation with your doctor | |
| Drug interactions | |
| None | No relevant interactions are known to date. |
| Nutrient interactions | |
| Micronutrients | Calcium, copper and magnesium can impair the absorption of boron. |
| Vitamins | High doses of boron can lead to increased vitamin B2 excretion. |
| Description |
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| Related substances |
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Boric acid:
Borax:
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| References |
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1) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/894.html, Stand: 5.7.2013. 2) Devirian, T. A. et al. 2003. The Physiological Effects of Dietary Boron. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 43, Nr. 2: 219–231. doi:10.1080/10408690390826491. 3) Nielsen, F. et al. 1988. Effect of dietary boron on mineral, estrogen, and testosterone metabolism in postmenopausal women. Maturitas 10, Nr. 3: 245. doi:10.1016/0378-5122(88)90033-3. 4) Newnham, R. E. 1994. Essentiality of Boron for Healthy Bones and Joints. Environmental Health Perspectives 102: 83. doi:10.2307/3431968. 5) Hakki, S. S. et al. 2013. Boron enhances strength and alters mineral composition of bone in rabbits fed a high energy diet. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 27, Nr. 2: 148–153. doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2012.07.001. 6) Naghii, M. R. et al. 2006. Effects of boron and calcium supplementation on mechanical properties of bone in rats. BioFactors 28, Nr. 3-4: 195–201. doi:10.1002/biof.5520280306. 7) Penland, J. G. 1994. Dietary Boron, Brain Function, and Cognitive Performance. Environmental Health Perspectives 102: 65. doi:10.2307/3431965. 8) Hall, I. et al. 1994. Hypolipidemic, Anti-Obesity, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Osteoporotic, and Anti-Neoplastic Properties of Amine Carboxyboranes. Environmental Health Perspectives 102: 21. doi:10.2307/3431958. 8b Hall, I. et al. 1995. The Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Boron Derivatives in Rodents. Metal-Based Drugs 2, Nr. 1: 1–12. doi:10.1155/mbd.1995.1. 9) Nielsen, F. et al. 1988. Effect of dietary boron on mineral, estrogen, and testosterone metabolism in postmenopausal women. Maturitas 10, Nr. 3: 245. doi:10.1016/0378-5122(88)90033-3. 10) Naghii, M. R. and S. Samman. 1997. The effect of boron supplementation on its urinary excretion and selected cardiovascular risk factors in healthy male subjects. Biological Trace Element Research 56, Nr. 3: 273–286. doi:10.1007/bf02785299. 11) Meacham, S. L. et al. 1994. Effects of Boron Supplementation on Bone Mineral Density and Dietary, Blood, and Urinary Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Boron in Female Athletes. Environmental Health Perspectives 102: 79. doi:10.2307/3431967. 12) Barranco, W. T. et al. 2007. Evaluation of ecological and in vitro effects of boron on prostate cancer risk (United States). Cancer Causes & Control 18, Nr. 1: 71–77. doi:10.1007/s10552-006-0077-8. 13) Müezzinoğlu, T. et al. 2011. Prevalence of Prostate Cancer in High Boron-Exposed Population: A Community-Based Study. Biological Trace Element Research 144, Nr. 1-3: 49–57. doi:10.1007/s12011-011-9023-z. 14) Penland, J. G. 1998. The importance of boron nutrition for brain and psychological function. Biological Trace Element Research 66, Nr. 1-3: 299–317. doi:10.1007/bf02783144. 15) Penland, J. G. 1994. Dietary Boron, Brain Function, and Cognitive Performance. Environmental Health Perspectives 102: 65. doi:10.2307/3431965.
Stargrove, M. B. et al. Herb, Nutrient and Drug Interactions: Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies, 1. Auflage. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2008. Gröber, U. Mikronährstoffe: Metabolic Tuning –Prävention –Therapie, 3. Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2011. Gröber, U. Arzneimittel und Mikronährstoffe: Medikationsorientierte Supplementierung, 3. aktualisierte und erweiterte Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2014.
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