Boron Use And Function

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BORON

Boron (B) is a trace mineral that is essential for plants. Boron may also be essential for humans and animals based on recent experimental evidence showing that boron affects blood biochemical markers of energy and mineral metabolism. Specifically, boron seems to be important for energy utilization and the development and maintenance of bone.

Deficiencies:
In vitamin D deficient animals, very low, compared to typical intakes, of boron increases total calcium loss, interferes with the use of blood sugar (glucose), fat, and insulin, and worsens bone development. In humans, no deficiencies have been documented in free-living populations. However, careful study of volunteers in special living quarters shows that reducing the amount of dietary boron causes changes in blood glucose and fat similar to that seen in boron-deficient animals. For reasons not fully understood, boron supplementation increases the percent of calcium intake lost in the urine of both pre- and post-menopausal volunteers. Very low intakes of boron may aggravate the symptoms of arthritis.

Diet recommendations: BORON
The usual adult dietary boron intake in the U.S. is about 1-2 mg/day. Use of boron supplements is not recommended because neither an Estimated Safe and Adequate Dietary Intake (ESADDI) or Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) has been set for boron. BORON

Food sources: BORON
The main sources of boron in the diet are drinking water (which varies considerably between geographical locations) and fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts (dicotyledonous plants). Much smaller amounts come from grains, breads, and cereals (monocotyledonous plants). Meats, poultry, fish, milk, and dairy products provide very little boron although such foods consumed in large quantities (milk for infants) will contribute substantially to total boron intake. BORON

Toxicity: BORON
Almost all the boron that enters the body from diet or absorption through damaged skin is promptly excreted in the urine. However, this control process can be overwhelmed by very high boron intakes that cause acute B toxicity with nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, hypothermia, restlessness, skin loss, kidney damage, and death from circulatory collapse and shock. The minimum lethal dose for humans is not known although single doses of 18 to 20 g in adults have been fatal. Chronic boron toxicity symptoms include poor appetite, nausea, weight loss, and decreased sexual activity, seminal volume, and sperm count. Death from boron poisoning is rare probably because of the emphasis placed on maintaining electrolytic balance and supporting kidney function during the worst part of the illness. BORON

Recent research: BORON
In animal studies, boron improves the production of antibodies that help fight infection and markedly decreases peak secretion of insulin from the pancreas. BORON

For further information: BORON

Hunt, C. D. (1994) The biochemical effects of physiologic amounts of dietary B in animal nutrition models. Environ. Health Perspect. 102(7): S35-S43

Hegsted, M., Keenan, M. J., Siver, F., & Wozniak, P. (1991) Effect of B on vitamin D deficient rats, Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 28: 243-256

Nielsen, F. H., Mullen, L M., & Gallagher, S. K. (1990) Effect of B depletion and repletion on blood indicators of calcium status in humans fed a magnesium-low diet, J. Trace Elements Exp. Med. 3: 45-54.

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