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Boron, B, Borum

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Boron is an essential nutrient for plants, animals and humans. Boron can be found everywhere in the human body, but the largest concentrations are in the bones and tooth enamel. Widespread borate compounds are boric acid, sodium tetraborates that are also referred as borax, and boron oxide. Borates are found in nature in soils, rocks, surface water, and ocean water. Seven to eighteen percent of environmental B derives from several “anthropogenic” sources (fertilizers, releases of a wastewater treatment plant, and a waste of coal-fired power plants ash). Boron is used in many industrial areas which include glass, ceramics, soaps, bleaches, detergents, fire retardants, cosmetics, and agriculture. For this reason, its exposure is inevitable, its benefits and risk assessments are still performing.

Physiological role

Dietary boron influences the activity of many metabolic enzymes, as well as the metabolism of steroid hormones and several micronutrients, including calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. Boron supplementation in rats and chicks has been shown to increase bone strength. Boron may also play a role in improving arthritis, plasma lipid profiles, and brain function.

The research suggests that humans and at least some higher animals may use boron to support normal biological functions. These include roles in calcium metabolism, bone growth and maintenance, insulin metabolism, and completion of the life cycle. The biochemical mechanisms responsible for these effects are poorly understood but the nature of boron biochemistry suggests further characterization of the cell signaling molecules capable of complexing with boron.

Boron is important for leaning healthy bones and joints, possibly contributing to the action and absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Also it probably acts on the cell membrane and the signaling pathways that pass through the membrane.

Boron affects the metabolism of steroid hormones and probably plays a role in the conversion of vitamin D into the active form. It increases the absorption and incorporation of calcium in the bones. Boron also increases the levels of male sex hormones.

Metabolism

Boron does not accumulate in tissues and is maintained in relatively narrow range of concentrations in blood of healthy individuals. Boron is absorbed very efficiently, and it is excreted with the urine.

Food sources

Sources of boron are fruits and vegetables, then soy and walnut, but the level of boron in these foods is primarily dependent on the land it grows. Significant amounts of boron include wine, beer and cider brandy.

The boron content in food products

Foodstuff

mg / 100 g of foodstuff

Almond

2.8

Apple

0.32

Apricots - dried

2.12

Avocado

2.06

Beans

1.40

Currant

1.73

Dates

1.09

Grapes - dried

4.47

Grapes - red

0.50

Hazelnut

2.72

Kiwi

0.26

Orange

0.25

Peach - dried

3.24

Pear

0.32

Plum - dried

1.88

Plum

0.45

Recommended daily allowance

There are no official data about quantities of the boron that are recommended during the day, but a safe and adequate intake of boron is between 1 and 10 milligrams per day.

Deficiency

Deficiency of boron in the body influences to the metabolism of calcium and magnesium, and thus affects the composition, structure and strength of bones. This leads to changes that indicate osteoporosis. This is due to decreased absorption and increased excretion of calcium and magnesium. If boron deficiency is accompanied by magnesium deficiency it leads to the severe damage in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Overdose

Toxic effects of boron occur if entries more than 100 milligrams of boron. The World Health Organization has banned the use of boron (as boric acid) as feed additives and preservatives. Symptoms of excess boron include:

The appearance of a red rash; Vomiting; Diarrhea, which is characterized by a blue-green colour; Reduced blood circulation; Coma

The lethal dose in adults is 15-20 grams, while in children 3-6 grams. Repeated intake of small amounts of boron can lead to cumulative toxicity.

Medicinal History

Boron has an important role in the treatment of osteoporosis. If it is consumed more than 3 milligrams per day it increases the effect of estrogen in postmenopausal women. Boron also has an effect on bone health.

The studies published in 1994 show that products with boron reduce the amount of phosphorus and increase the amount of magnesium in the blood. Both of these changes are important for bone development.

Boron increases the effect of sex hormones and is used in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Adding boron in quantities of 6-9 mg per day is used in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Boron in the form of boric acid is used to treat bacterial and fungal infections. It is also a component of various commercial wash mouth preparations and can be used to treat mouth ulcers, eye infections and nasal rinsing.

References

Devirian T.A. and Volpe S.L., 2003, “The physiological effects of dietary boron,” Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition; 43(2): 219-231. [Web Reference]

Hunt C.D., 2012, “Dietary boron: progress in establishing essential roles in human physiology,” Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology; 26(2): 157-160. [Web Reference]

Ince S., 2015, “An Update on Health Effects of Metalloid Trace Element: Boron,” Aperito Journal of Drug Designing and Pharmacology; 2(1):113. [Web Reference]

Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Micronutrients. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001. 13, Arsenic, Boron, Nickel, Silicon, and Vanadium. [Web Reference]

Nielsen F.H., 1997, “Boron in human and animal nutrition,” Plant and Soil; 193(1-2): 199-208. [Web Reference]

Samman S., et al., 1998, “The nutritional and metabolic effects of boron in humans and animals,” Biological Trace Element Research; 66(1-3): 227-235. [Web Reference]

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