| Proper name |
Boron |
| Category |
Mineral |
| Functions |
Reduces urinary calcium loss by as much as 44% in boron-deficient women.
Assists the body in retaining calcium and magnesium by preventing urinary
loss. Boron may also assist the synthesis of Vitamin D. For these and possibly
other reasons, boron assists in the prevention of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
Boron also assists in the production of estrogen and testosterone by facilitating
hydroxylation. |
| RDA |
No RDA has been established. Animal studies suggest 1-2 mg per day. |
| Therapeutic
dose |
Between 1 and 9 mg per day. |
| Deficiency symptoms |
Osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and possibly deficiencies of estrogen and testosterone. |
| Toxicity |
Dietary
supplies of up to 41 mg per day have not produced adverse effects. |
| Best
forms
|
Available in citrate, aspartate and glycinate forms. |
| Food
sources |
Readily available in fruits and vegetables. |
| Lab
tests |
Hair trace mineral analysis. |
| Drug
interactions |
Phenytoin |
| Nutrient interactions |
Appears to assist the actions of calcium and vitamin D. |
| Metabolism |
Boron facilitates
hydroxylation (the addition of OH groups).
|
