The element boron, not to be confused with Borax or boric acid, is an essential trace mineral for human health, helping to strengthen bones, increase absorption of other minerals, and to regulate the sex hormones in both men and women.
Intake of boron helps the body absorb and utilize other minerals by interacting with steroid hormones. Boron is important for bone growth and maintenance as it reduces the urinary excretion of magnesium and calcium. The boron vertebrate transporter helps these substances deposit within the bones rather than being excreted as waste. Higher levels of magnesium and calcium help prevent osteogenesis, or brittle bones (that can break easily,) which is especially important in postmenopausal women and older men, as a deficiency in these minerals has a negative effect on bone strength and regeneration. Increasing boron intake can strengthen bones and prevent fragile, brittle bones that often come with age. …show more content…
Intake of boron increases testosterone levels in both men and women by increasing the amount of bioavailable free testosterone. Older men typically have lower levels of free testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels increase. SHBG is not bioavailable as the proteins bound to the testosterone cannot exit through the capillaries. Thus free testosterone is required. Bioavailable testosterone is important for fertility, and for both cardiovascular health and sex health. Testosterone levels generally decrease with age at the rate of 0.4-2% annually.
Humans consume boron in a wide variety of fruits, tubers, and legumes. Some of the foods with the highest concentration of boron include avocado, peanut butter, peanuts, prune & grape juice, chocolate powder, and wine. According to Rainey & coworkers (1999), 27% of total consumption of boron comes from coffee, milk, apples, dried beans, and potatoes, not because they are high in boron, but because they are widely
Intake of boron helps the body absorb and utilize other minerals by interacting with steroid hormones. Boron is important for bone growth and maintenance as it reduces the urinary excretion of magnesium and calcium. The boron vertebrate transporter helps these substances deposit within the bones rather than being excreted as waste. Higher levels of magnesium and calcium help prevent osteogenesis, or brittle bones (that can break easily,) which is especially important in postmenopausal women and older men, as a deficiency in these minerals has a negative effect on bone strength and regeneration. Increasing boron intake can strengthen bones and prevent fragile, brittle bones that often come with age. …show more content…
Intake of boron increases testosterone levels in both men and women by increasing the amount of bioavailable free testosterone. Older men typically have lower levels of free testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels increase. SHBG is not bioavailable as the proteins bound to the testosterone cannot exit through the capillaries. Thus free testosterone is required. Bioavailable testosterone is important for fertility, and for both cardiovascular health and sex health. Testosterone levels generally decrease with age at the rate of 0.4-2% annually.
Humans consume boron in a wide variety of fruits, tubers, and legumes. Some of the foods with the highest concentration of boron include avocado, peanut butter, peanuts, prune & grape juice, chocolate powder, and wine. According to Rainey & coworkers (1999), 27% of total consumption of boron comes from coffee, milk, apples, dried beans, and potatoes, not because they are high in boron, but because they are widely