Boron
Health Benefits
Boron is a biologically dynamic ultra-trace element important in human metabolism. A recommended dietary allowance for boron has not been established, although surveys indicate that average daily intakes of boron from food and water range between 0.5 and 3.1 mg.
Boron was originally used in the 1870s as a food preservative in the form of boric acid for perishables such as fish, meat and dairy products. By the 1950s boron was outlawed throughout the world as a food preservative. It was not until the 1980s that nutritionists and biochemists realized the importance of boron in human health. The physiological function of boron remains to be elucidated, but studies demonstrate its involvement in several processes, especially macromineral metabolism. Studies show that it is a metabolic regulator and plays an important role in cell membrane function. Recent studies suggest that boron is important for calcium utilization in the body. In human deficiency studies, supplementation with boron improved several parameters including mental alertness, memory, mineral metabolism, and blood hemoglobin.
*No RDA for Boron has been established. Amounts listed are based on the Food and Nutrition Board’s Safe and Adequate Daily Amounts
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
