Boron: good for your bones and more

By Karen Appold

Boron, a mineral found in foods and the environment, is believed to have a variety of health benefits. In many cases, however, more studies are needed to realize its true medicinal benefits. But having low boron levels can impact your immune system, brain function, and bone health in a negative way.

Boron benefits

Reduces osteoarthritis pain: Taking a daily boron supplement may lower pain due to sitting and walking as well as stiffness if you have osteoarthritis in your hips or knees. It may also improve your mobility.

Prevents arthritis: When arthritic individuals took boron nutritional supplements, the majority of them improved significantly. Boron improves calcium’s ability to integrate into bone and cartilage. As you age, bone can become weak and porous. Boron can prevent this from occurring by making sure that calcium levels are at their best. Boron also acts as an inflammatory agent, reducing the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.·

Boosts bone health: Boron works in conjunction with calcium to make bones strong. It also helps to metabolize minerals involved in bone development, such as copper and magnesium. By affecting hormone levels, such as testosterone and estrogen, it also helps to improve bone health.

Reduces plasma lipid levels: Boron can slow lipids from accumulating, which facilitates cholesterol removal. This will lower your chances of getting blood clots and atherosclerosis as well as protect you against heart attacks and strokes.

Other benefits

Taking a boron supplement has been shown to increase vitamin D levels.

Boron raises men’s testosterone levels and women’s estrogen levels. It can boost a menopausal woman’s sex drive in a matter of days and ease menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes.

Some forms of boron are used to treat cancer.

Boron can stave off fungal infections.

Deficiency issues

If you have a boron deficiency, you may not metabolize calcium and magnesium properly. You may also be more prone to arthritis, osteoporosis, sex hormone imbalances, and hyperthyroidism.

Eat up

Good food sources of boron include apples, pears, plums, prunes, oranges, bananas, red grapes, kiwis, dates, soybeans, nuts, peanut butter, chickpeas, kidney beans, tomatoes, broccoli, lentils, olives, onions, beer, raisins, honey, and currants. Boron is also available as a dietary supplement.

Karen Appold is a medical writer in Lehigh Valley, PA.