BORON
BORON BORON
Boron (B) is a trace mineral that is essential for plants. Boron may also
be essential for humans and animals based on recent experimental evidence
showing that boron affects blood biochemical markers of energy and mineral
metabolism. Specifically, boron seems to be important for energy utilization
and the development and maintenance of bone. BORON
Deficiencies: BORON
In vitamin D deficient animals, very low, compared to typical intakes, of
boron increases total calcium loss, interferes with the use of blood sugar
(glucose), fat, and insulin, and worsens bone development. In humans, no deficiencies
have been documented in free-living populations. However, careful study of
volunteers in special living quarters shows that reducing the amount of dietary
boron causes changes in blood glucose and fat similar to that seen in boron-deficient
animals. For reasons not fully understood, boron supplementation increases
the percent of calcium intake lost in the urine of both pre- and post-menopausal
volunteers. Very low intakes of boron may aggravate the symptoms of arthritis. BORON
Diet recommendations: BORON
The usual adult dietary boron intake in the U.S. is about 1-2 mg/day. Use
of boron supplements is not recommended because neither an Estimated Safe
and Adequate Dietary Intake (ESADDI) or Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
has been set for boron. BORON
Food sources: BORON
The main sources of boron in the diet are drinking water (which varies considerably
between geographical locations) and fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts (dicotyledonous
plants). Much smaller amounts come from grains, breads, and cereals (monocotyledonous
plants). Meats, poultry, fish, milk, and dairy products provide very little
boron although such foods consumed in large quantities (milk for infants)
will contribute substantially to total boron intake. BORON
Toxicity: BORON
Almost all the boron that enters the body from diet or absorption through
damaged skin is promptly excreted in the urine. However, this control process
can be overwhelmed by very high boron intakes that cause acute B toxicity
with nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, hypothermia, restlessness, skin
loss, kidney damage, and death from circulatory collapse and shock. The minimum
lethal dose for humans is not known although single doses of 18 to 20 g in
adults have been fatal. Chronic boron toxicity symptoms include poor appetite,
nausea, weight loss, and decreased sexual activity, seminal volume, and sperm
count. Death from boron poisoning is rare probably because of the emphasis
placed on maintaining electrolytic balance and supporting kidney function
during the worst part of the illness. BORON
Recent research: BORON
In animal studies, boron improves the production of antibodies that help fight
infection and markedly decreases peak secretion of insulin from the pancreas.
BORON
For further information: BORON
Hunt, C. D. (1994) The biochemical effects of physiologic amounts of dietary
B in animal nutrition models. Environ. Health Perspect. 102(7): S35-S43
Hegsted, M., Keenan, M. J., Siver, F., & Wozniak, P. (1991) Effect of B
on vitamin D deficient rats, Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 28: 243-256
Nielsen, F. H., Mullen, L M., & Gallagher, S. K. (1990) Effect of B depletion
and repletion on blood indicators of calcium status in humans fed a magnesium-low
diet, J. Trace Elements Exp. Med. 3: 45-54.
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