Boron
Specifically for Arthritis
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Why it works for Arthritis:
There is some evidence that dietary boron (and boron-containing supplements such as calcium-fructoborate) can reduce joint pain and inflammatory markers in people with osteoarthritis and may be associated with lower rates of arthritis in populations consuming more boron. The evidence comes from small randomized trials and several narrative reviews — promising but not definitive. Office of Dietary Supplements
Anti-inflammatory actions. Boron and borate compounds (including calcium-fructoborate) have been reported to reduce inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., C-reactive protein, some pro-inflammatory cytokines) in human trials and to modulate neutrophil and other inflammatory responses in vitro/animal studies — this anti-inflammatory effect is a plausible way they reduce joint pain and stiffness. Dove Medical Press
Effects on mineral and hormone metabolism important for joint/bone health. Boron influences calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D metabolism and can affect steroid hormone levels (e.g., estradiol, testosterone) — changes that may support bone and joint health and indirectly reduce symptoms. Reviews highlight these pathways. Office of Dietary Supplements
Plant-derived borate complexes (calcium-fructoborate) may be a bioavailable form. Calcium-fructoborate (CFB, commercial name FruiteX-B® in many studies) is a sugar-borate complex used in trials; it’s thought to deliver boron in a form that’s readily absorbed and biologically active. Clinical trials with CFB showed early improvements in self-reported knee discomfort. Dove Medical Press
How to use for Arthritis:
Forms used in clinical research
- Elemental boron supplements / simple boron salts (many over-the-counter boron supplements contain 1–3 mg boron per capsule). Medical News Today
- Calcium-fructoborate (CFB / FruiteX-B®) — the form most often tested in clinical trials of joint pain/osteoarthritis. Trials typically used 110 mg CFB twice daily (i.e., 220 mg CFB/day) or similar regimens; EFSA analysis indicates CFB contains a few percent boron by weight (EFSA evaluation: up to ~2.9% boron; 220 mg CFB/day → ~6.4 mg boron/day in their example). Dove Medical Press
Doses reported in studies
- Classic small trial (Travers / Newnham et al.): a double-blind pilot compared ~6 mg elemental boron/day vs placebo (reporting improved outcomes in the boron group). (This is an older, small study often cited in boron literature.) consensus.app
- Calcium-fructoborate clinical trials:
- Pietrzkowski et al., 2014 (Clin Interv Aging): 110 mg CFB twice daily (one capsule before breakfast and lunch) — reported significant reductions in WOMAC and McGill pain scores at 7 and 14 days. Dove Medical Press
- Other CFB trials used similar or once-daily/twice-daily regimens; EFSA considered a maximum proposed use of 220 mg/day CFB (≈6.4 mg boron) when assessing safety. SpringerLink
Practical, evidence-based takeaways about “how to use”
- If following the clinical trial models, the CFB trials used ~110 mg CFB twice daily (capsule before breakfast and lunch); commercial CFB products and labels will often show the exact elemental boron content — follow the product label. Dove Medical Press
- Many over-the-counter boron supplements provide ~1–3 mg boron per capsule; population dietary intakes are typically ~1–3 mg/day. The Office of Dietary Supplements (NIH/ODS) and other reviews report a commonly cited safe intake range of about 1–13 mg/day. Do not exceed established upper limits without medical supervision. Office of Dietary Supplements
Scientific Evidence for Arthritis:
Human clinical trials (selected)
- Travers RL, Rennie GC, Newnham RE — “Boron and arthritis: results of a double-blind pilot study” (1990) — early small double-blind pilot that compared ~6 mg boron/day to placebo; reported improvements in the boron group. This is often cited as the original clinical pilot. consensus.app
- Scorei et al., Biol Trace Elem Res (2011) — double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot: calcium-fructoborate effect on systemic inflammation markers in people with primary osteoarthritis. SpringerLink
- Pietrzkowski Z. et al., Clinical Interventions in Aging (2014) — randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study: 110 mg CFB twice daily produced significant reductions in WOMAC and McGill pain scores over 14 days in people with knee discomfort. (Full text available.) Dove Medical Press
- Other CFB studies / longer trials — there are published pilot and follow-up trials (some industry-sponsored) showing reductions in joint discomfort and inflammatory biomarkers with CFB over short and intermediate periods (14–90 days). EFSA, Springer reviews and the CFB manufacturer summary the trial program. SpringerLink
Narrative and systematic reviews
- Nielsen FH (2014), “Update on human health effects of boron” (J Trace Elem Med Biol) — a concise review summarizing animal, in-vitro, and human data connecting boron with bone, hormone, and inflammatory outcomes; highlights the limited but suggestive human evidence for arthritis symptom reduction. ScienceDirect
- Pizzorno L. (2015) “Nothing Boring About Boron” — integrative medicine review summarizing evidence for boron’s roles (bone, inflammation, arthritis) and studies showing potential benefits. Europe PMC
- EFSA and other regulatory/technical assessments — evaluated the safety/novel-food status of calcium-fructoborate and summarized available data (useful for dose/context). European Food Safety Authority
Specific Warnings for Arthritis:
General safety and toxicology
- Toxicity at very high doses. Large acute exposures to boron compounds (many grams) are toxic; the ATSDR/CDC toxicology profile describes gastrointestinal, renal, neurological and reproductive effects at high doses/exposures and notes that boron is excreted in urine. Don’t confuse trace-use supplements with industrial borates/boric acid exposures. CDC
Recommended / safe intake ranges
- NIH / ODS: the Office of Dietary Supplements notes there is no formal RDA for boron but reports that an acceptable safe intake range often cited is about 1–13 mg/day for adults; they summarize human data and risks from excess. (The U.S. Institute of Medicine did not set an RDA but gave context.) Office of Dietary Supplements
- EFSA (CFB safety assessment): when evaluating CFB as a novel food, EFSA used exposure examples; the EFSA opinion excluded pregnant and lactating women from the proposed use because of limited data for these groups. (Regulatory bodies often exclude pregnancy/lactation unless safety is clearly established.) European Food Safety Authority
Specific clinical cautions
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — avoid or consult a clinician. Because developmental toxicity was seen in animals at high doses and because human data are limited, many regulatory opinions and manufacturers advise pregnant or lactating women to avoid supplemental boron/CFB unless advised by a clinician. CDC
- Kidney disease / impaired renal function — because boron is excreted in urine, impaired renal function could raise the risk of accumulation/toxicity; check with a physician before supplementing. Office of Dietary Supplements
- Hormone-sensitive conditions / cancers — boron can influence steroid hormone metabolism (estrogen/testosterone), so people with hormone-sensitive cancers or conditions should consult their oncologist/endocrinologist before taking boron. ODS and other reviews flag this as a theoretical concern. Office of Dietary Supplements
- High daily intakes — keep daily supplemental boron within commonly cited safe ranges (many authors point to ≤6–13 mg/day as typical study/safety bounds). EFSA’s example CFB exposure (220 mg/day CFB → ~6.4 mg boron) was judged safe for adults (excluding pregnant/lactating women) under their proposed conditions. Do not self-administer very high doses. European Food Safety Authority
Interactions
- There are no well-documented, clinically relevant drug interactions reported for boron in the major databases, but because of hormonal and mineral-metabolism effects, check with your clinician if you’re on hormone therapy, anticoagulants, or other chronic medications. Office of Dietary Supplements
General Information (All Ailments)
What It Is
Boron is a chemical element with the symbol B and atomic number 5. It is a metalloid, meaning it exhibits properties of both metals and nonmetals. Boron is found naturally in compounds such as borax (sodium borate), kernite, and ulexite, but it is not found in its pure elemental form in nature.
It is a relatively rare element on Earth but is essential in both industrial applications and biological systems. Pure boron is a hard, black, crystalline substance with a high melting point (about 2,076°C / 3,769°F). It plays a critical role in materials science, agriculture, and nuclear technology.
How It Works
The functionality of boron depends on its chemical and physical properties, which make it extremely versatile across various domains:
a. In Materials and Industry
- Boron atoms form strong covalent bonds, giving rise to compounds with remarkable hardness and thermal resistance (e.g., boron carbide and boron nitride).
- These compounds are used in armor plating, cutting tools, and heat-resistant materials.
- Boron is also used as an additive in glass and ceramics, where it improves durability, resistance to thermal shock, and optical clarity (e.g., borosilicate glass like Pyrex).
b. In Energy and Electronics
- In semiconductors, boron acts as a p-type dopant, introducing “holes” that improve the conductivity of silicon-based devices such as transistors and diodes.
- Boron hydrides (boranes) are used as high-energy fuels and in rocket propellants.
- Boron-containing magnets (such as neodymium–iron–boron magnets) are among the strongest permanent magnets known.
c. In Biology and Agriculture
- Boron plays a vital role in plant growth, helping with cell wall formation, membrane function, and nutrient transport.
- In humans, boron supports bone health, brain function, and hormone regulation by influencing how the body metabolizes minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
d. In Nuclear Applications
- Boron-10, a stable isotope, is highly effective at absorbing neutrons.
- This makes it critical in nuclear reactors (as control rods or shielding) and in radiation therapy for certain types of cancer (boron neutron capture therapy).
Why It’s Important
Boron’s importance stems from its unique chemistry and multifunctional roles:
- Industrial significance: Essential in manufacturing high-strength materials, glass, ceramics, and electronics.
- Agricultural necessity: A micronutrient required by virtually all plants; boron deficiency can lead to poor growth and crop yield.
- Technological advancement: Key element in semiconductors, high-performance magnets, and aerospace materials.
- Medical applications: Plays a role in bone metabolism and is being researched for cancer treatment and antimicrobial properties.
- Energy systems: Involved in clean energy technologies, including boron-based hydrogen storage and nuclear safety systems.
In essence, boron bridges basic life processes, technological innovation, and industrial strength — making it one of the most versatile elements known.
Considerations
While boron is highly beneficial, there are several important considerations to keep in mind:
a. Health and Safety
- Deficiency: In humans, low boron intake may be linked to poor bone and cognitive health.
- Excess: Too much boron can be toxic, causing nausea, vomiting, skin inflammation, or hormonal imbalance.
- The tolerable upper intake level for adults is typically around 20 mg/day (from all sources).
b. Environmental and Agricultural Use
- Boron must be applied carefully in fertilizers — it has a narrow margin between deficiency and toxicity for plants.
- Overuse in soil can cause leaf burn, reduced crop yield, and environmental contamination.
c. Industrial and Economic Factors
- Boron production is geographically concentrated, mainly in Turkey, the U.S., and Argentina, which can influence supply stability and market prices.
- Mining and refining boron must be managed responsibly to minimize ecological disruption.
d. Technological Challenges
- In electronics and nuclear uses, purity and isotope control are crucial.
- Manufacturing boron-based materials can be energy-intensive due to its high melting point and chemical stability.
Helps with these conditions
Boron is most effective for general wellness support with emerging research . The effectiveness varies by condition based on clinical evidence and user experiences.
Detailed Information by Condition
Arthritis
There is some evidence that dietary boron (and boron-containing supplements such as calcium-fructoborate) can reduce joint pain and inflammatory marke...
Osteoporosis
Supports calcium/mineral handling & bone turnover markers (indirectly): Small human studies (often in controlled “metabolic ward” settings) found...
Low Testosterone
Possible effects on “free” (bioavailable) testosterone via SHBG: In a small human study, short-term boron supplementation was associated with higher f...
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