Boron

For Bones, Arthritis and Hormone Levels

It is only over the last 25 years or so that boron has become recognised as an essential mineral for human beings. In particular, it has been found to increase the absorption and utilisation of calcium and magnesium and the conversion of vitamin D to its active form.

Because of these effects, it is now known to have an effect on the incidence of arthritis and osteoporosis.

It is a fact that in very dry areas, such as the desert areas of America and Australia and the inland areas of Canada (to quote just a few) the level of boron in the soil and drinking water is considerably higher than in wetter areas. This is because boron is easily leached from the soil by rain. It has now been shown clearly that the incidence of arthritis is considerably lower in populations living in arid areas than in those in wet areas. The variation is from a minimum of 3% up to 30%.

When the importance of boron was recognised in the 1980s, work was carried out to observe the effects of boron supplementation at varying levels. The main finding was that at levels of at least 3mg per day, there were considerable improvements in the symptoms of arthritis and in bone density. The improvements were faster at levels of up to 9mg per day.

However, the effects of boron are even more complex (and beneficial) than this.

In post-menopausal women, it has been scientifically demonstrated that at the lower level (3mg) of supplementation there were the following effects:

ü     Improvement of calcium and magnesium retention

ü     Increased concentrations of testosterone (it should be mentioned that a certain level of testosterone is beneficial to females)

ü     Increased concentrations of one of the effective forms of oestrogen

There is some evidence (not great as yet) that boron supplementation can improve brain function parameters, such as eye-hand coordination, attention and memory.

There is evidence that boron supplementation at levels of 3x3mg tablets per day – one with each meal – can have dramatic effects on two problems; tendonitis and heel spurs. When tendons are continually overstrained or when there is a single incident of gross overstrain, there is evidence that a buildup of calcium crystals takes place inside the tendon. This causes inflammation and pain.

Drugs such as ibuprofen are often given, which merely reduce the inflammation. Boron at the rate of 3x3mg per day has been found to eliminate the calcium crystals and produce an actual cure, usually within a month, after which the dose can be reduced to 1x3mg/day or even zero.

It is an interesting observation that people who have jobs that tend to overstrain different muscles and tendons at different times (such as builders) often have pains in various parts of the body, moving from one part to another. The usual conclusion is that it is arthritis, but the fact is that arthritis does not move from one part of the body to another at short intervals. This problem is almost certainly tendonitis. Boron supplementation can usually control it.

We have had incidents where people (including a family member) have developed severe pain under a heel and been told that there is no effective treatment short of radical surgery. Boron supplementation at the rate of 3mg 3/day has usually reversed the problem within 2-3 weeks.

Safety

Current evidence is that 14mg per day is safe. We find that 3x3mg per day is effective; well below the safe level.

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