Clinical Studies References
A trace mineral that plays a role in the prevention of osteoporosis as it reduces calcium loss from bones. It is important in brain function, prostate health and in the production of certain hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. Boron may also be beneficial in ADHD, prostate cancer, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Delay of natural bone loss by higher intakes of specific minerals and vitamins. Schaafsma A, de Vries PJ, Saris WH. Friesland Coberco Dairy Foods, Dep. of Research & Development Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
For early prevention or inhibition of post-menopausal and age-related bone loss, nutritional interventions might be a first choice. For some vitamins and minerals an important role in bone metabolism is known or suggested. Calcium and vitamin D support bone mineral density and are basic components in most preventive strategies. Magnesium is involved in a number of activities supporting bone strength, preservation and remodeling. Fluorine and strontium have bone-forming effects. However, high amounts of both elements may reduce bone strength. Boron is especially effective in case of vitamin D, magnesium and potassium deficiency. Vitamin K is essential for the activation of osteocalcin. Vitamin C is an important stimulus for osteoblast-derived proteins. Increasing the recommended amounts (US RDA 1989), adequate intakes (US DRI 1997), or assumed normal intakes of mentioned food components may lead to a considerable reduction or even prevention of bone loss, especially in late post-menopausal women and the elderly. Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial PMID: 11401244 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Dietary boron, brain function and cognitive performance. Penland JG. United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-9034.
Although the trace element boron has yet to be recognized as an essential nutrient for humans, recent data from animal and human studies suggest that boron may be important for mineral metabolism and membrane function. To investigate further the functional role of boron, brain electrophysiology and cognitive performance were assessed in response to dietary manipulation of boron (approximately 0.25 versus approximately 3.25 mg boron/2000 kcal/day) in three studies with healthy older men and women. Within-subject designs were used to assess functional responses in all studies. Spectral analysis of electroencephalographic data showed effects of dietary boron in two of the three studies. When the low boron intake was compared to the high intake, there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the proportion of low-frequency activity, and a decrease in the proportion of higher-frequency activity, an effect often observed in response to general malnutrition and heavy metal toxicity. Performance (e.g., response time) on various cognitive and psychomotor tasks also showed an effect of dietary boron. When contrasted with the high boron intake, low dietary boron resulted in significantly poorer performance (p < 0.05) on tasks emphasizing manual dexterity (studies II and III); eye-hand coordination (study II); attention (all studies); perception (study III); encoding and short-term memory (all studies); and long-term memory (study I). Collectively, the data from these three studies indicate that boron may play a role in human brain function and cognitive performance, and provide additional evidence that boron is an essential nutrient for humans. Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial PMID: 7889884 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Essentiality of boron for healthy bones and joints. Newnham RE. Rex Newnham and Associates, North Yorkshire, England.
Since 1963 evidence has accumulated that suggests boron is a safe and effective treatment for some forms of arthritis. The initial evidence was that boron supplementation alleviated arthritic pain and discomfort of the author. This was followed by findings from numerous other observations epidemiologic and controlled animal and human experiments. These findings included a) analytical evidence of lower boron concentrations in femur heads, bones, and synovial fluid from people with arthritis than from those without this disorder; b) observation evidence that bones of patients using boron supplements are much harder to cut than those of patients not using supplements; c) epidemiologic evidence that in areas of the world where boron intakes usually are 1.0 mg or less/day the estimated incidence of arthritis ranges from 20 to 70%, whereas in areas of the world where boron intakes are usually 3 to 10 mg, the estimated incidence of arthritis ranges from 0 to 10%; d) experimental evidence that rats with induced arthritis benefit from orally or intraperitoneally administered boron; e) experimental evidence from a double-blind placebo-boron supplementation trial with 20 subjects with osteoarthritis. A significant favorable response to a 6 mg boron/day supplement was obtained; 50% of subjects receiving the supplement improved compared to only 10% receiving the placebo. The preceding data indicate that boron is an essential nutrient for healthy bones and joints, and that further research into the use of boron for the treatment or prevention of arthritis is warranted. Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial PMID: 7889887 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
The nutritional and metabolic effects of boron in humans and animals. Samman S, Naghii MR, Lyons Wall PM, Verus AP. Department of Biochemistry, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
We have undertaken studies in humans and animals that aimed to obtain further information about the intake and excretion of boron (B) as well as its effects on markers of coronary heart disease. In humans, we have shown that the intake of B is 2.2 mg/d; its urinary excretion is 1.9 mg/d, and there appears to be little intraindividual variation. Supplementation with 10 mg of B/d resulted in the recovery of 84% of the dose in the urine and a significant increase in plasma estradiol concentration, but no effect on plasma lipoproteins. In rats, increasing the intake of B through the drinking water is reflected in the tissue concentrations, results in an increase in plasma testosterone and vitamin D, and results in a decrease in HDL cholesterol. It is clear that B has the potential to impact significantly on a number of metabolic processes. Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial PMID: 10050922 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
The justification for providing dietary guidance for the nutritional intake of boron. Nielsen FH. United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, ND 58202-9034, USA.
Because a biochemical function has not been defined for boron (B), its nutritional essentiality has not been firmly established. Nonetheless, dietary guidance should be formulated for B, because it has demonstrated beneficial, if not essential, effects in both animals and humans. Intakes of B commonly found with diets abundant in fruits, vegetables, legumes, pulses, and nuts have effects construed to be beneficial in macromineral, energy, nitrogen, and reactive oxygen metabolism, in addition to enhancing the response to estrogen therapy and improving psychomotor skills and cognitive processes of attention and memory. Perhaps the best-documented beneficial effect of B is on calcium (Ca) metabolism or utilization, and thus, bone calcification and maintenance. The paradigm emerging for the provision of dietary guidance that includes consideration of the total health effects of a nutrient, not just the prevention of a deficiency disease, has resulted in dietary guidance for chromium (Cr) and fluoride; both of these elements have beneficial effects in humans, but neither has a defined biochemical function. Knowledge of B nutritional effects in humans equals or is superior to that of Cr and fluoride; thus, establishing a dietary reference intake for B is justified. An analysis of both human and animal data suggests that an acceptable safe range of population mean intakes of B for adults could well be 1-13 mg/d. Recent findings indicate that a significant number of people do not consistently consume more than 1 mg B/d; this suggests that B could be a practical nutritional or clinical concern. Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial PMID: 10050927 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Natural treatments for osteoarthritis. Gaby AR. Nutritional Medicine, Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA, USA.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of joint disease. Although OA was previously thought to be a progressive, degenerative disorder, it is now known that spontaneous arrest or reversal of the disease can occur. Conventional medications are often effective for symptom relief, but they can also cause significant side effects and do not slow the progression of the disease. Several natural substances have been shown to be at least as effective as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at relieving the symptoms of OA, and preliminary evidence suggests some of these compounds may exert a favorable influence on the course of the disease. Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial PMID: 10559548 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
The physiological effects of dietary boron. Devirian TA, Volpe SL. Department of Nutrition, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003, USA.
Boron may be an essential nutrient for animals and humans. Dietary boron influences the activity of many metabolic enzymes, as well as the metabolism of steroid hormones and several micronutrients, including calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. Boron supplementation in rats and chicks has been shown to increase bone strength. Boron may also play a role in improving arthritis, plasma lipid profiles, and brain function. Additional research is necessary to further clarify boron's influence in human and animal physiology, as well as determine a dietary requirement for humans. Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial PMID: 12705642 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
The significance of dietary boron, with particular reference to athletes. Naghii MR. University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Food Sciences & Nutrition group, Tehran, IR of Iran.
Ergogenic substances and synthetic steroids have a wide spread use, particularly among non-professional athletes. To avoid the side-effect of drug abuse, it is suggested that the key to success is a proper athletic nutrition. It is a balanced intake of nutritional wholesome foods that contain a proper blend of essential nutrients. Knowledge of human physiology and nutrition has increased greatly, and so has application of dietary alterations and supplementation with specific nutrients. Modulation of dietary composition and/or supplementation with specific nutrients with the intent of improving human physical performance is a working definition of nutritional ergogenic aids. Boron is a trace element nutrient, and recently its supplements have been shown to increase the concentration of plasma steroid hormones. In a single blind cross-over trial, it resulted in a significant increase in plasma 17-B estradiol (E2) concentration (P < 0.004) and there was a trend for plasma testosterone (T) levels to be increased. The ratio of E2/T increased significantly. However, there was no perturbation in plasma lipids. Furthermore, the effect of boron on steroidogenesis and its mechanism was also investigated in two more studies conducted on adult male rats. The elevation of endogenous steroid hormones as a result of boron supplementation suggest that boron may be used as an ergogenic safe substance for athletes which should be further investigated. Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial PMID: 10376277 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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References
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.