Khazi Kareem
While we majorly concentrate on minerals like Iron, Calcium, etc. to ensure our good health, some minerals are never spoken about. Boron is one of the most underrated minerals and is a crucial supplement for our body. The function of Boron is very crucial for our body and that’s why we are here to help.
Minerals that we intake through food are healthy for our body. Boron in our body affects the way that our body handles these minerals. It increases the efficiency of these minerals, which is a great supplementary function. Boron has various other uses in our bodies, including managing testosterone and estrogen levels, and the body’s athletic performance. Boron even helps in the menstrual periods of women. That’s why understanding the functionality of Boron in our body is important. In this article, we will dive deep into this subject so that we can help you live a healthy life.
About Boron:
Boron is an element. Just like Iron, Calcium, Potassium, etc. Boron too is crucial for our health. Many people ignore the functions and availability of Boron in food. That’s why it is important to spread awareness about this trace mineral.
While we don’t notice the benefits of Boron directly, its deficiency surely takes a toll on our bodies. Doctors advise that the Boron intake should be regulated and that’s why many Boron supplements come into the picture. Health organizations like USP, Consumer Lab, or NSF certify Boron supplements to be safe. However, if you take a Boron supplement that is not certified by these organizations, then there are chances of the supplement being harmful. The lack of Boron in our body can be cured with a regulated dose of Boron Supplements available on the market. Before that, let’s understand the benefits of Boron, its precautions, and its side effects of it.
Boron Supplement Benefits:
It is important to consult your dietitian before consuming Boron supplements. Even though they are safe to consume, an individual’s health conditions may cause some side effects. Your doctors know your health well and that’s why a prescribed Boron supplement is better. Let’s look at the uses of the Boron supplement.
According to a conducted study, a lower intake of Boron increased the risk of lung cancer. It was found by comparing the dietary data of healthy people and people suffering from cancer. That’s why it is advisable to consume foods that contain Boron. Most fruits, vegetables, and generally plant foods contain Boron. And this Boron reduces the risk of Lung Cancer.
Although it’s not proven by any research study, Boron is said to help your Bones. No case study has ever proved that Boron increases Bone material density or it helps in the integrity of your bones. However, it is highly believed that taking Boron Supplements helps in your Bone health.
Boron is used to treat Vaginal Yeast Infections. Boric Acid, when applied internally, helps in treating Candidiasis. Candidiasis is a Vaginal Yeast Infection. Boric Acid is even said to cure some vaginal infections that weren’t cured by any other medical treatment.
We have thin cartilage that covers and protects our bones and joints. Osteoarthritis is a condition where thin cartilage is damaged or just wears down. This results in pain and discomfort. This pain and discomfort are seen to be reduced by consuming Boron Supplements. A study even shows the outcome which indicates the regular dosage of Boron supplements helps reduce knee pain. If you have Osteoarthritis, consult your doctor about taking Boron supplements.
Boron Supplements also help people in treating Boron deficiency. Lack of it in our body is very rare as our daily diet contains enough Boron in it. However, if you are experiencing Boron Deficiency, we suggest the consumption of a Boron Supplement.
Side Effects Of Boron:
Boron Supplements can cause certain side effects. That’s why we recommend that you should consult your dietitian before consuming Boron Supplements. Let’s take a look at the side effects caused by Boron Supplements.
Apart from these common side effects, Boron Supplements can even cause Hormone Sensitive Conditions such as Endometriosis, Breast Cancer, and Uterine Fibroids. As it induces the production of hormones in our body, a heavy dosage of it can cause such problems. Another side effect that has been reported is that the potassium levels in the blood decreased after Boron Supplement consumption. If you are taking Boron Supplement, then it is important to consume normal dosages. An increased amount of Boron dosage can cause severe problems like skin flushing, convulsions, tremors, vascular collapse, etc. That’s why the National Institutes of Health advise moderation of Boron consumption.
In Which Amounts Should You Take Boron Supplements:
Dosage of Boron Supplements should be taken in moderation. If someone takes Boron Supplements in excessive amounts, they may experience some severe side effects. To save you the trouble of figuring out what amount is a normal dosage, we have listed it right below.
Age – 1 to 3 Years ; Dosage – 3 mg/day
Age – 4 to 8 Years ; Dosage – 6 mg/day
Age – 9 to 13 Years ; Dosage – 11 mg/day
Age – 14 to 18 Years ; Dosage – 17 mg/day
Age – 19 and above ; Dosage – 20 mg/day
Although this is a moderate amount of Boron for you, WHO advised keeping the Boron supplement consumption between 1 to 13 mg/day. As it is the ‘Acceptable Safe Range’ which would not cause any severe side effects. We intake this mineral every day. However, the amount of Boron we consume through a regular diet is 1-3 mg/day. This is enough if you consider long-term intakes. Vegetarians may get more amounts of Boron from their daily meals. However, people may experience Boron deficiency. For those who have Boron Deficiency, we recommend taking Boron Supplements.
What If You Take More Amount Of Boron Than Recommended?
You will experience side effects. We have listed some side effects that excess Boron intake can cause. We recommend you check the complete section for side effects to know more. However, here are some common side effects that you may experience due to the excessive dosage of Boron supplements.
- Nausea
- Stomach discomfort
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Diarrhea
- Convulsions
- Headaches
We highly recommend you consult your doctors about taking Boron supplements. You should also ask your doctor about the recommended dosage of Boron for you.
Precautions:
The most important thing is to keep the Boron Supplement out of reach from children and pets. Keep your Boron dosage at moderate levels. In case someone intakes the Boron supplement in absurd amounts, the first thing to do is to contact the Poison Control Center.
Children should not interact with Boron, Boric acid, or anything similar. Even though the Borax solution is used to clean infant pacifiers, it is not advisable to let your children play with Boron Supplements. It is also important to take precautions while Boric Acid is applied to Vagina for treating Vaginal Yeast infections. Especially while you are pregnant, avoid using Boric Acid for the first four months. People with Kidney Diseases and those who have suffered from estrogen-sensitive cancers or any hormonal therapy should avoid taking any Boron supplement. One must take care of these precautions if you are considering taking a Boron supplement.
Best Boron Supplements to Take:
There are many Boron supplement products available in the market. However, it is important to know which supplements are best in the business. That’s why we have listed a few Boron supplements below. These supplements are the best in quality and all of them have a good rating when it comes to supplementing Boron to your body.
1. Pure Encapsulations Boron Supplement
This supplement provides the essential mineral Boron in capsulated forms. You can consume these capsules and you don’t have to worry about excessive consumption. One capsule of this supplement has enough amount of Boron for your body. These are Gluten-free and GMO-free, Unflavored capsules. This Boron supplement is our top pick.
2. Horbaach Triple Boron Complex 6mg Supplement
As mentioned on the packaging, one tablet of this supplement contains 6 mg of Boron. These tablets help you regulate and monitor your Boron intake. This supplement is also GMO-free and Gluten free. It is recommended for adult men and women only. Along with Boron, this supplement also helps in Calcium deficiency, as it contains Taurine and Vitamin D3. Overall, this supplement is helpful for various help problems.
3. BlueBonnet Triple Boron Vegetarian Capsules
Another capsulated Boron supplement, is highly recommended by dietitians. This Boron supplement is Gluten-free, non-GMO, and perfect for vegetarians. One capsule of this supplement includes 3 mg of Boron. BlueBonnet’s Boron Supplement is highly effective for bone strength. People consume this supplement to increase the absorption of Calcium and Magnesium in bones.
FAQs:
There are some questions about Boron intake which are asked more frequently than others. We have already covered the facts like the benefits of Boron, side effects, and so much more. In this section, we have answered some queries that may come up in your mind.
The best time to take Boron is around 5 hours before sleep. This is the time when you eat your dinner. It is advisable to intake Boron along with your dinner. If your Insuline is active, then Boron is most efficient with it. That’s why you should take your daily dose of Boron five hours before going to bed.
Boron deficiency comes along with some symptoms, just like any other deficiency. The most common symptoms of Boron deficiency include affected mental alertness, more excretion of calcium and potassium through urine, and less strength in bones. These are some major symptoms that indicate Boron deficiency. There are more specific symptoms but those cannot be observed easily.
No, there is no evident study that shows a moderate dose of Boron can cause hair loss. However, excessive amounts of Boron supplement can cause severe problems including hair loss. If you take Boron in large doses, then it may cause Alopecia in adults and it may cause children’s hair to be thin. That’s why a moderate dosage of Boron is recommended.
As stated by many health organizations, Boron is completely safe as a supplement. However, if you come across a Boron supplement product that is not certified by USP, ConsumerLab, or NSF, then it is not guaranteed that the Boron supplement is safe. If a supplement has more side effects, then the mentioned health organizations would not certify it. Even though you are taking a certified Boron supplement, the excessive dosage would cause more damage than good.
Yes! Boron is anti-inflammatory. Boron can be used to cure arthritis and various types of joint pains. It also helps in healing wounds. Boron can do so much good to our body but only if taken in moderation. That’s why you should consult your doctor before taking Boron for anti-inflammatory measures.
Conclusion :
Boron is a mineral that is found in our daily meals. It is crucial for our body and has many functions. Yet Boron is an underrated mineral and not everyone cares about its intake. It is found that Boron is present in all types of plant foods such as fruits and vegetables. The amount of Boron in an average daily meal is about 1-3 mg. Boron Deficiency causes various issues like joint pain, reduced mental alertness, etc. Boric acid helps in treating Vaginal infections, etc.
But it is important to consume Boron in moderation. Otherwise, side effects like nausea, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, etc. will show up. If Boron is taken in very absurd amounts, severe problems such as skin flushing, convulsions, etc. may be caused. That’s why we recommend you take Boron supplements in moderation.
Finally, we recommend you consult your doctor or dietitian before consuming a Boron supplement.
