Boron: Healthy, Active Aging
Bor (B)
Conductor of mineral metabolism. Healthy, active aging.
In the human body boron is required in microdoses to maintain healthy bones, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium metabolism. Boron helps prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis, strengthens muscles, improves brain function, and increases vitality.
The daily requirement for the human body is more than 0.3 mg, likely closer to 1 mg.
Boron can enter the human body through several pathways. The largest amounts come from the air during breathing for people working in boron mining or processing industries, as well as for those living near such factories. To a lesser extent, it enters through drinking water with elevated boron content and food. Theoretically, boron can enter the body through skin contact with cosmetics containing boron compounds and with cleaning agents.
In food, boron is found in the form of sodium tetraborate decahydrate and boric acid. These substances are rapidly and well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract (usually more than 90% of consumed boron is absorbed). Boron compounds are largely excreted in urine.
An adult human body contains about 20 mg of boron. More than half of the total boron is located in the skeleton, and about 10% is found in soft tissues. On average, human and animal tissues contain between 0.05 and 0.6 µg/kg of boron, but its concentration is several times higher in teeth and nails. Boron can be found in the cells of nervous tissue, parenchymal organs, and adipose tissue. In blood plasma, the average concentration of boron is 0.02–0.075 µg/ml.
In some regions of the world, due to elevated boron levels in the environment, the human body receives 17–27 mg of boron daily, and the concentration of this trace element in the blood increases to 0.45–0.66 µg/ml.
Biological role in the human body. The biological role of boron is not well studied. Boron plays a significant role in carbohydrate and fat metabolism, several vitamins and hormones, and affects the activity of certain enzymes. It has been shown that the administration of sodium borate at a dose of 5–10 mg/kg causes an increase in blood sugar levels. Under the influence of borates, vitamins B2 and B12 are inactivated, and the oxidation of adrenaline is suppressed.
In vitro, boron inhibits the activity of two classes of enzymes. First, these are tyrosine nucleotide-dependent and flavin nucleotide-dependent oxidoreductases (alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenases, xanthine dehydrogenase, and cytochrome B5 reductase) – borate competes with the enzymes for NAD and FAD. Secondly, borate (or boron compound derivatives) can bind to the active sites of enzymes such as chymotrypsin, subtilisin, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase.
In women during the postmenopausal period the elimination of boron deficiency is accompanied by an increase in serum 17 beta-estradiol levels and copper in plasma. As a result, electroencephalogram readings improve, memory enhances, and behavioral responses normalize.
There is evidence that boron plays a regulatory role concerning parathyroid hormone and therefore may indirectly influence the metabolism of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. Boron affects macromineral metabolism and influences the metabolism of steroid hormones in both humans and animals.
The complexes of boron with many substances, including monosaccharides and polysaccharides, adenosine-5-phosphate, pyridoxine, riboflavin, dehydroascorbic acid, and pyridine nucleotides, are of biological interest.
The absence of boron leads to an increase in stress nutritional factors that affect cell membrane function (i.e., calcium, cholecalciferol, magnesium) or a decrease in potassium. Thus, boron may perform a function at the cell membrane level.
In vitro, boron inhibits the activity of two classes of enzymes. First, these are tyrosine nucleotide-dependent and flavin nucleotide-dependent oxidoreductases (alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenases, xanthine dehydrogenase, and cytochrome B5 reductase) – borate competes with the enzymes for NAD and FAD. Secondly, borate (or boron compound derivatives) can bind to the active sites of enzymes such as chymotrypsin, subtilisin, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase.
In women during the postmenopausal period the elimination of boron deficiency is accompanied by an increase in serum 17 beta-estradiol levels and copper in plasma. As a result, electroencephalogram readings improve, memory enhances, and behavioral responses normalize.
There is evidence that boron plays a regulatory role concerning parathyroid hormone and therefore may indirectly influence the metabolism of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. Boron affects macromineral metabolism and influences the metabolism of steroid hormones in both humans and animals.
The complexes of boron with many substances, including monosaccharides and polysaccharides, adenosine-5-phosphate, pyridoxine, riboflavin, dehydroascorbic acid, and pyridine nucleotides, are of biological interest.
The absence of boron leads to an increase in stress nutritional factors that affect cell membrane function (i.e., calcium, cholecalciferol, magnesium) or a decrease in potassium. Thus, boron may perform a function at the cell membrane level.
Potential danger of boron to human health. Boron is classified as immunotoxic elements. It is considered that the upper limit of the average safe daily intake of boron for humans is 13 mg.
Boron oxide and orthoboric acid are classified as potent toxic substances. Short-term inhalation of air moderately contaminated with boron compounds causes irritation of the nasopharynx and eyes in humans. Animal studies show that inhalation of air with high boron compound contamination leads to lung damage.
Short-term ingestion of boron in elevated concentrations causes irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. With prolonged exposure to boron compounds, digestive process disturbances become chronic (the so-called “boron enteritis” develops), and boron intoxication occurs, which can affect the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.
Long-term studies in animals have revealed a negative impact of boron on reproductive function in both males (in particular, reduced sperm production and testicular atrophy) and females during pregnancy (toxic effects on the embryo with the potential for defects in newborns).
Boron oxide and orthoboric acid are classified as potent toxic substances. Short-term inhalation of air moderately contaminated with boron compounds causes irritation of the nasopharynx and eyes in humans. Animal studies show that inhalation of air with high boron compound contamination leads to lung damage.
Short-term ingestion of boron in elevated concentrations causes irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. With prolonged exposure to boron compounds, digestive process disturbances become chronic (the so-called “boron enteritis” develops), and boron intoxication occurs, which can affect the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.
Long-term studies in animals have revealed a negative impact of boron on reproductive function in both males (in particular, reduced sperm production and testicular atrophy) and females during pregnancy (toxic effects on the embryo with the potential for defects in newborns).
Boron synergists and antagonists. Boron deficiency increases the risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Boron inhibits the absorption of ascorbic acid, flavonoids, and sulfur-containing amino acids by the body. Attempts have been described to use boron to displace copper from the body.
Boron is a synergist of chlorine, enhances the action of concentrated alcohol and some antibiotics. A positive correlation has been identified between boron metabolism and zinc.
Boron inhibits the absorption of ascorbic acid, flavonoids, and sulfur-containing amino acids by the body. Attempts have been described to use boron to displace copper from the body.
Boron is a synergist of chlorine, enhances the action of concentrated alcohol and some antibiotics. A positive correlation has been identified between boron metabolism and zinc.
Signs of boron deficiency: accurately verifying the symptoms of boron deficiency is difficult since the absence of boron affects macromineral metabolism. It is known that boron influences calcium and copper metabolism. Its deficiency can lead to hyperchromic anemia and thrombocytopenia.
Insufficient boron content in the body against the background of vitamin D deficiency causes an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity in blood plasma and growth retardation. At the same time, insufficient vitamin D content exacerbates the impact of boron deficiency on calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus metabolism.
In women aged 48–82 years during the postmenopausal period, boron deficiency caused deterioration of mineral metabolism and bone tissue condition, indicating that boron is a crucial element in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
Boron may potentiate the effects of estrogens used in the therapy of postmenopausal conditions.
Boron is a biologically dynamic trace element that affects macromineral metabolism. Exclusion of boron from the diet may play a role in certain disorders of unknown origin, identified by disrupted macromineral metabolism (e.g., osteoporosis, urolithiasis, and improper bone formation associated with prolonged parenteral nutrition).
It has been shown that low dietary concentrations of boron lead to decreased mental capacity, chronic fatigue, and lack of vitality.
Boron deficiency is rarely observed. However, elderly individuals, due to impaired calcium absorption and a tendency to deteriorating bone condition, are recommended to take boron in the form of dietary supplements at 2–3 mg daily.
Insufficient boron content in the body against the background of vitamin D deficiency causes an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity in blood plasma and growth retardation. At the same time, insufficient vitamin D content exacerbates the impact of boron deficiency on calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus metabolism.
In women aged 48–82 years during the postmenopausal period, boron deficiency caused deterioration of mineral metabolism and bone tissue condition, indicating that boron is a crucial element in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
Boron may potentiate the effects of estrogens used in the therapy of postmenopausal conditions.
Boron is a biologically dynamic trace element that affects macromineral metabolism. Exclusion of boron from the diet may play a role in certain disorders of unknown origin, identified by disrupted macromineral metabolism (e.g., osteoporosis, urolithiasis, and improper bone formation associated with prolonged parenteral nutrition).
It has been shown that low dietary concentrations of boron lead to decreased mental capacity, chronic fatigue, and lack of vitality.
Boron deficiency is rarely observed. However, elderly individuals, due to impaired calcium absorption and a tendency to deteriorating bone condition, are recommended to take boron in the form of dietary supplements at 2–3 mg daily.
With excess boron in the body, the following are observed: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, watery stools, dehydration, skin rashes and peeling, decreased sexual activity, and worsening of spermogram indicators.
Boron overload leads to hair loss, polymorphic dry erythema, and anemia, which resolve upon normalization of boron levels in the diet.
Boron overload leads to hair loss, polymorphic dry erythema, and anemia, which resolve upon normalization of boron levels in the diet.
Boron is necessary: boron helps prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis and promotes muscle tissue growth.
Dietary sources of boron: nuts and seeds: peanuts, cashews, sesame, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and especially – hazelnuts, almonds, macadamia, Brazil nuts, walnuts, pine nuts, pistachios; fruits: avocados, apricots, quinces, cherry plum, oranges, watermelons, bananas, grapes, cherries, pomegranates, grapefruits, pears, melons, strawberries, figs, viburnum, kiwis, cornels, cranberries, gooseberries, lemons, raspberries, mangoes, tangerines, sea buckthorn, peaches, plums, red currants, black currants, feijoa, sweet cherries, blueberries, mulberries, apples; dried fruits: raisins, dried figs, dried apricots, dates, prunes; grains and legumes: beans, peas, buckwheat, corn, oats, millet, soft wheat, hard wheat, long-grain white rice, short-grain white rice, brown unpolished rice, wild rice, rye, soybeans, beans, lentils, barley; vegetables: eggplants, ginger, zucchini, potatoes, seaweed (kelp), onions, carrots, pattypans, leafy vegetables (especially – cabbage), cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi, parsnips, hot peppers (chili), sweet peppers, parsley, radishes, black radishes, turnips, beets, celery, asparagus, tomatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, pumpkins, horseradish, garlic; greens: coriander (cilantro), green onions, leeks, chives, parsley greens, arugula, lettuce, celery greens, wild garlic, green garlic, spinach, sorrel; mushrooms: oyster mushrooms.
The champion for boron content among food products is raisins.
Wine, cider, and beer also have significant boron content. Meat, fish, and dairy products are low in boron.