Boro: the hidden mineral that science connects to stronger bones, less inflammation, higher testosterone and healthier prostate

For decades modern medicine has focused its attention on the most known vitamins and minerals: vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, iron. However, there is a much less famous oligo element that in recent years is increasingly attracting the interest of researchers. A tiny element, almost forgotten in nutrition manuals, but capable of affecting surprisingly important biological processes.

This element is Boro.

Naturally present in soil, plants and water, the boron has accompanied human nutrition for millennia. Only in recent decades, with the changes in modern agriculture and the impoverishment of land, its contribution in diet seems to have reduced significantly, just as science began to discover that this small mineral could have a much larger role than it had imagined.

Today numerous studies suggest that boron can influence the metabolism of fundamental nutrients as calcium, magnesium and vitamin D, contribute to the regulation steroid hormones, modular some inflammatory processes and support the health of important structures such as bones, joints, brain and prostate.

The scientific interest for this element has grown especially after the observations of some researchers who noted a curious phenomenon: in the regions of the world where the boron is naturally present in soil and water, some degenerative diseases seemed to be much less widespread than the areas where this mineral is poor.

From these observations a fascinating question arises: is it possible that such a simple oligo element can influence so broadly the balance of the human organism?

To answer this question, we have to go back a few decades, to the story of an Australian scientist who made a discovery almost by chance and who would have helped bring the boron back into the spotlight of scientific research.

His name was ♪.

The discovery of the boron against arthritis

Dr. Rex Newnham was an Australian scientist specializing in the study of agricultural soils. His work consisted of analyzing the minerals present in the soil and understanding how these influenced the growth of plants.

In the 1960s he developed a severe form of arthritis that did not respond to the available therapies. As a mineral nutrition expert on plants, he began to observe the problem from a different perspective than traditional medicine.

During his studies he noted that in plants the boro was fundamental for calcium metabolism. Without boron, calcium was not used properly and plants developed structural deformations.

This observation led him to wonder if something like this could happen even in the human organism.

He then decided to try on himself a small amount of bosom, a natural mineral rich in boron.

The initial dose he used was about 30 mg borace per day, equivalent to about 3 mg of elementary boron.

The result was surprising: after about three weeks pain, swelling and joint stiffness had completely disappeared.

This personal experience led him to study more thoroughly the role of the boron in the health of the joints.

The doses used by Rex Newnham

After his recovery, Newnham began using the boron in patients with arthritis.

In his clinical protocols he generally used:

6–9 mg of elementary boron per day

equivalent to about 55–80 mg borace.

Treatment was maintained for 4–8 weeks, followed by a maintenance dose of about 3 mg per day.

A clinical study published on Environmental Health Perspectives (Travers, Rennie, Newnham – 1990) show that about 70% of patients with osteoarthritis treated with boron significantly improved, while in the placebo group the improvement was only of 12%.

The surprising link between boron in soil and arthritis in the world

Analyzing global epidemiological data, Newnham observed a very interesting phenomenon.

In areas of the world where boron in soil and water is very low, arthritis is extremely widespread. In some regions such as Jamaica, where the average daily contribution is less than 1 mg boron per day, arthritis can affect up to 70% of the adult population.

On the contrary, in regions where the boron is naturally present in high amounts in soil and water, arthritis is very rare.

A frequently cited example is Carnarvon in Western Australia, where the soil is naturally rich in boron and the incidence of arthritis has been observed around1%.

Similar remarks were also reported in some regions of the Turkey, Middle East and the Western China, where the boron is naturally present in drinking water.

Boro and inflammation: reduction of the PCR

One of the most interesting aspects of the boron is its action on inflammation.

In some studies cited by the American doctor Dr. Jorge Flechas, recruitment 10 mg boron per day for a week has led to a significant reduction in PCR (C-reactive protein).

The PCR is one of the main markers used in medicine to measure systemic inflammation. High values are often associated with chronic inflammatory conditions and increased cardiovascular risk.

The reduction of the PCR suggests that the boron can contribute to modulating the inflammatory processes of the body.

Boro, testosterone and vitality after 50 years

One of the most interesting effects observed in some studies on boron integration is the increase in free testosterone, that is the biologically active form of the hormone that the body can use directly.

Testosterone is often associated only with male sexuality, but it is actually a fundamental hormone for numerous physiological functions both in men and, in smaller quantities, in women.

In men testosterone contributes to regulate different aspects of health: maintenance of muscle mass, bone density, production of red blood cells, fat metabolism, libido, physical energy and motivation.

When testosterone levels are adequate the body manages more easily to maintain muscle mass and physical strength, metabolism remains more efficient and body fat distribution tends to be more balanced.

With age progress, however, testosterone levels gradually decrease. In men this process often begins around 35–40 years and continues with an average reduction of about 1–2% per year.

After the 50 years Many people begin to perceive some effects of this hormonal decrease: muscle mass loss, abdominal fat increase, lower physical energy, slower recovery after physical activity and bone density reduction.

A study published in Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology (Naghii et al., 2011) showed that taking 10 mg boron per day for a week can increase free testosterone and reduce some inflammatory markers.

Even in women testosterone is present, although in much lower quantities. In the female body contributes to support energy, muscle tone, bone density and libido, especially after menopause.

Boro and prostate health

Some epidemiological studies have observed that an appropriate boron contribution is associated with a minor rischio di tumore alla prostata e a valori più favorevoli del PSA (antigene prostatico specifico), uno dei marcatori più utilizzati per monitorare lo stato della ghiandola prostatica.

Il PSA è una proteina prodotta dalle cellule della prostata. Livelli elevati possono essere associati a infiammazione prostatica, iperplasia prostatica benigna o tumore della prostata.

Il motivo per cui il boro può contribuire ad abbassare il PSA sembra essere legato a diversi meccanismi biologici.

Il primo riguarda la riduzione dell’infiammazione. Il boro ha dimostrato in diversi studi di ridurre marcatori infiammatori come la proteina C-reattiva (PCR). Poiché l’infiammazione cronica è uno dei fattori che possono aumentare il PSA, la sua riduzione può contribuire indirettamente a normalizzare i valori di questo indicatore.

Un secondo meccanismo riguarda la regolazione degli ormoni steroidei. Il boro può influenzare il metabolismo di testosterone ed estrogeni, contribuendo a migliorare l’equilibrio ormonale. La prostata è un organo fortemente sensibile agli androgeni, quindi un equilibrio ormonale più stabile può contribuire a mantenerla in condizioni fisiologiche più favorevoli.

Un terzo possibile meccanismo riguarda l’attività enzimatica nelle cellule prostatiche. Alcuni studi suggeriscono che il boro possa influenzare enzimi coinvolti nella crescita cellulare e nella risposta infiammatoria, contribuendo a ridurre la proliferazione anomala delle cellule prostatiche.

Uno studio epidemiologico pubblicato nel Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology (Gallardo-Williams et al., 2003) ha osservato che uomini con un maggiore apporto alimentare di boro presentavano un rischio significativamente più basso di sviluppare tumore alla prostata, con una riduzione stimata fino al 65% nei soggetti con assunzione più elevata.

Dosaggi di boro riportati negli studi

Perché le dosi elevate osservate nelle popolazioni non risultano tossiche

In alcune regioni del mondo l’acqua contiene naturalmente quantità elevate di boro. In queste popolazioni l’assunzione giornaliera può arrivare a 30, 50 o anche oltre 100 mg al giorno.

Nonostante queste quantità siano molto superiori alle dosi nutrizionali occidentali, non sono stati osservati effetti tossici evidenti nelle popolazioni che vivono in queste aree.

The dose letale stimata per l’uomo è compresa tra 15.000 e 20.000 mg, cioè migliaia di volte superiore alle dosi nutrizionali normalmente utilizzate negli studi.

Protocollo pratico di assunzione

Fase terapeutica

6–10 mg di boro al giorno per circa 2–3 mesi

Fase di mantenimento

3–6 mg al giorno.

Borace e boro elementare

The borace (tetraborato di sodio) è un minerale naturale che contiene circa 11% di boro elementare.

Quando viene ingerito reagisce con l’acido dello stomaco e si trasforma principalmente in boric acid, la forma che viene assorbita dall’organismo.

Negli studi scientifici i dosaggi sono generalmente espressi come boro elementare.

Principali studi scientifici sul boro

Metabolismo minerale e ossa

Nielsen FH (1997) — FASEB Journal
Ruolo del boro nel metabolismo di calcio, magnesio e vitamina D.

Nielsen FH et al. (1987) — Magnesium and Trace Elements
Carenza di boro associata a alterazioni nel metabolismo minerale.

Hunt CD et al. (1997) — Journal of Nutrition
Effetti del boro sugli ormoni steroidei e metabolismo osseo.

Hunt CD (2003) — Journal of Trace Elements in Experimental Medicine
Ruolo nutrizionale del boro nella salute delle ossa.

Nielsen FH (2008) — Biological Trace Element Research
Importanza del boro nella nutrizione umana.

Artrite e articolazioni

Travers RL, Rennie GC, Newnham RE (1990) — Environmental Health Perspectives
Studio clinico sul boro e osteoartrite.

Newnham RE (1994) — Journal of Applied Nutrition
Uso del boro nel trattamento dell’artrite.

Scorei R et al. (2011) — Biological Trace Element Research
Effetti del calcio-fruttoborato su infiammazione e salute articolare.

Scorei RI et al. (2010) — Biological Trace Element Research
Boro e riduzione dei marcatori infiammatori.

Infiammazione e sistema immunitario

Naghii MR et al. (2011) — Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology
Aumento testosterone libero e riduzione infiammazione.

Naghii MR et al. (2011) — Biological Trace Element Research
Effetti del boro su infiammazione e metabolismo.

Pizzorno L (2015) — Integrative Medicine Journal
Ruolo del boro nella regolazione dell’infiammazione.

Prostata e tumori

Gallardo-Williams MT et al. (2003) — Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology
Maggiore apporto di boro associato a minore rischio di tumore alla prostata.

Barranco WT et al. (2007) — Integrative Cancer Therapies
Il boro come potenziale agente anticancro.

Scorei RI et al. (2005) — Biological Trace Element Research
Effetti del boro sulla proliferazione cellulare.

Cervello e funzione cognitiva

Penland JG (1994) — Environmental Health Perspectives
Carenza di boro associata a riduzione della funzione cognitiva.

Penland JG (1998) — Biological Trace Element Research
Effetti del boro sull’attività cerebrale.

Metabolismo ormonale

Naghii MR et al. (2011) — Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology
Aumento del testosterone libero dopo integrazione con boro.

Hunt CD et al. (1987) — Journal of Nutrition
Effetti del boro sugli estrogeni e sugli ormoni steroidei.

Revisione generale sul boro

Nielsen FH (2014) — Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology
Revisione completa sul ruolo biologico del boro nella salute umana.