boron

Action and Spectrum

Actions and spectrum: 

Actions: 

• Essential nutrient: boron plays a crucial role in several physiological processes in plants, animals, and humans. 
• Bone health: boron is involved in bone metabolism and the maintenance of healthy bones. 
• Hormonal regulation: boron influences the metabolism and function of certain hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, and vitamin D. 
• Anti-inflammatory properties: boron exhibits anti-inflammatory effects and may help reduce inflammation in certain conditions. 
• Antimicrobial activity: boron has antimicrobial properties and may have a role in controlling microbial growth. 

Spectrum: 

• Dietary supplement: boron supplements are available to support overall health and well-being. 
• Bone health: boron supplements may be used to support bone health, especially in conditions like osteoporosis. 
• Hormonal balance: boron supplementation may help maintain healthy hormone levels, particularly in individuals with hormonal imbalances. 
• Anti-inflammatory support: boron may be used as a natural remedy for managing inflammatory conditions. 
• Skin health: boron-containing creams or lotions may be used topically for various skin conditions. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined 

Dermatitis 

Epigastric pain 

Renal impairment 

Green/Blue discoloration of feces 

Diarrhea 

Nausea 

Vomiting 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning: 

boron is not associated with any black box warnings. 

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution: 

Contraindication: 

boron does not have any specific contraindications.  

Caution: 

While boron is generally considered safe when consumed in appropriate amounts through dietary sources, supplementation with high doses of boron may require caution.  

• Kidney and liver conditions: Individuals with impaired kidney or liver function should exercise caution when taking boron supplements, as high doses may exacerbate these conditions. 
• Hormonal conditions: boron may affect hormone levels in the body, particularly estrogen and testosterone.  
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: The safety of boron supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not known. 
• Allergies or sensitivities: Some individuals are allergic or sensitive to boron or boron-containing compounds.

Comorbidities: 

There is limited information available regarding specific comorbidities related to boron. However, individuals with certain health conditions may need to exercise caution when using boron supplements. These conditions may include: 

• Kidney or liver disease: boron is primarily excreted through the kidneys, and individuals with impaired kidney or liver function may have difficulty eliminating boron from the body. 
• Hormonal conditions: boron can influence hormone levels, particularly estrogen and testosterone. Individuals with hormone-related conditions, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, or hormone-sensitive conditions. 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy consideration: N/A 

Lactation: N/A  

Pregnancy category: 

• Category A: Satisfactory and well-controlled studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester. 
• Category B: There is no evidence of risk to the fetus found in animal reproduction studies and there are not enough studies on pregnant women. 
• Category C: Adverse effects on the fetus found with evidence in animal reproduction studies and no adequate evidence for an effect in humans, care must be taken for potential risks in pregnant women. 
• Category D: There is adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite potential risks may be used only in emergency cases for potential benefits. 
• Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh risks over benefits These category drugs should be prohibited for pregnant women. 
• Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category. 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology: 

• Enzyme modulation: boron has been shown to influence the activity of certain enzymes involved in processes such as carbohydrate metabolism, protein synthesis, and bone formation. 
• Hormone regulation: boron may play a role in regulating the levels and activity of certain hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, and vitamin D. It is thought to enhance estrogen and testosterone synthesis and activity, potentially affecting hormonal balance. 
• Bone health: boron is involved in the metabolism of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are essential for bone health. It may support the formation and maintenance of healthy bones. 
• Anti-inflammatory effects: boron has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, potentially reducing inflammation and associated symptoms in certain conditions. 
• Antioxidant activity: boron may have antioxidant effects, helping to neutralize free radicals in body and protect against oxidative stress.

Pharmacodynamics: 

• Enzyme activity modulation: boron is thought to influence the activity of certain enzymes involved in various metabolic processes. It may interact with enzymes by binding to active sites or modulating their conformation, thereby affecting their catalytic activity. 
• Hormone regulation: boron has been shown to influence the levels and activity of certain hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, and vitamin D. It may enhance the synthesis and activity of these hormones, potentially affecting hormone balance and related physiological processes. 
• Mineral metabolism: boron is involved in the metabolism of minerals. It may facilitate their absorption, utilization, and metabolism in the body, particularly in relation to bone health and mineralized tissues. 
• Anti-inflammatory effects: boron has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. It may help reduce inflammation by modulating inflammatory mediators and signalling pathways, potentially contributing to its therapeutic effects in certain inflammatory conditions. 
• Antioxidant activity: boron has been suggested to possess antioxidant properties, which means it can help neutralize harmful free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. By scavenging free radicals, boron may protect cells and tissues from damage caused by oxidative processes.

Pharmacokinetics: 

Absorption 

boron is primarily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. The absorption process may vary depending on factors such as the chemical form of boron, dietary factors, and individual variation. boron can be absorbed through both passive diffusion and active transport mechanisms. 

Distribution 

Once absorbed, boron is distributed throughout the body. It has a wide distribution, with studies showing its presence in various tissues and body fluids, including bones, blood, liver, and kidneys. boron is not known to accumulate significantly in any specific organ or tissue. 

Metabolism 

boron undergoes minimal metabolism in the body. It is excreted unchanged in urine, indicating that it is not extensively metabolized. However, some studies suggest that boron may undergo limited metabolism involving conjugation with certain compounds. 

Elimination and excretion 

boron is primarily excreted through the kidneys via urine. The exact mechanisms of boron excretion are not fully known, but it is believed to involve glomerular filtration followed by tubular reabsorption and subsequent elimination in the urine. 

Adminstartion

Administration: 

boron is naturally present in many foods, and dietary intake is the primary way to obtain boron. It is available as dietary supplement in various forms, including boron tablets, capsules, and liquid solutions. The administration of boron depends on the intended use and formulation. Here are some common administration methods: 

• Dietary Intake: boron is naturally present in foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and grains. Including boron-rich foods in your diet can help maintain adequate boron levels.  
• boron Supplements: Boron supplements are available in various forms and strengths. They can be taken orally as tablets, capsules, or liquid solutions. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: boron 

Pronounced: (BOH-ron)  

Why do we use boron? 

• Dietary Supplement: boron is used as a dietary supplement to support overall health and well-being. 
• Bone Health: boron is thought to contribute to bone health by promoting the metabolism of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, which are essential nutrients for bone formation and maintenance. 
• Arthritis Support: boron helps in reducing joint pain and stiffness associated with arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. 
• Hormonal Balance: boron may play a role in supporting hormonal balance, particularly in relation to estrogen metabolism.  
• Brain Function: It may support brain health and help maintain cognitive abilities as we age. 
• Plant Nutrition: boron is an essential micronutrient for plant growth and development. It is used as a fertilizer in agricultural practices to improve crop yield and quality.