Heart problems: because the boron is attracting the attention of researchers on the health of arteries

There is a simple, economical and surprisingly little known mineral that could offer concrete help in supporting the health of the organism, including the wellness of the heart. For a long time it has been considered almost exclusively an ally of the bones, linked to the metabolism of calcium. But scientific research is beginning to suggest that its role could be much wider than it has been thought for years. This is the boron. A discreet micronutrient, often neglected, which today is attracting the attention of scholars for its possible implications in different fundamental biological processes.

This topic covers people from 45 years on. With the passing of time, in fact, taking care of the cardiovascular system becomes a priority to continue living with energy, clarity and independence. Prevention, at this age, does not mean living with fear of the disease, but consciously choosing to protect your well-being in the long term.
For decades we have been told that the main heart problem manager was cholesterol. But today science is telling a more complete story. The health of the heart depends on a complex balance involving inflammation, sugar metabolism, hormonal operation and availability of essential micronutrients.
And that's where the boron is starting to be noticed.
Some studies suggest that it could support the inflammatory balance and contribute to the proper functioning of different metabolic mechanisms. A small element, almost invisible in health discussions, but that could be much more important than we have imagined so far.

Beyond cholesterol: the real enemy is inflammation

Although cholesterol is essential for life – being the precursor of vitamin D, sexual hormones and cell membranes – the real danger arises when lipid particles oxidize or when the organism lives in a state of chronic inflammation of low degree.

Today many cardiologists monitor High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP, from English high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein), a blood biomarker that detects systemic inflammation of low degree and predicts cardiovascular risks.

Another key actor is Apolipoprotein B (ApoB).
To understand what it is and what it serves, we can report the classic example found in the various scientific texts for non-workers.
Let's imagine it as a protein that stands on every "camion" that carries bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood. Think of the truck as a vehicle carrying "packs" of fat in the arteries. If this truck carries many small ApoBs, it means that there are many tiny and dense particles in the circle. Because they are so small, they can easily penetrate the walls of the blood vessels, especially in the narrower ones. There they tend to accumulate and form real caps, which can hinder the flow of blood and, over time, increase the risk of heart attack. That is why they are considered particularly dangerous. If instead the truck carries fewer packages but larger, it means that in the circle there are few larger particles, more "soffici" and less aggressive. These particles do less damage, because they penetrate with more difficulty in the walls of the blood vessels and the body manages to manage and eliminate them more easily.

The ApoB examination is used to measure how many aterogeneous particles circulate in the blood: the higher the number (especially if they are small), the higher the cardiovascular risk. For this reason it is considered more accurate than the simple value of LDL cholesterol, although unfortunately, as it happens for many important examinations, it is still not prescribed routinely by many doctors.

But what triggers this biochemical imbalance?

Often the root of the problem is insulin-resistance, an increasingly widespread metabolic condition, favored by diets rich in refined sugars, ultra-processed foods and a sedentary lifestyle. When the body becomes insulin resistant, fat metabolism is altered and tends to produce more small and dense ApoB particles, just the most dangerous for the heart.

Insulin-resistance: the hidden engine of metabolic problems

Insulin-resistance can be imagined as a key that can no longer turn well into the lock.

The cells of our body are like houses that need sugar (glucose) to produce energy.

Insulin is the key that opens the cell door and allows glucose to enter.

When everything works properly,

We eat → blood sugar increases

Pancreas releases insulin.

Insulin acts as a key: it opens the cell port → glucose enters → is transformed into energy.

When there is insulin-resistance

The locking of the cells (the receptors) becomes less sensitive, the key (insulin) works even worse.

Glucose struggles to enter the cells and remains in the blood, pancreas tries to compensate by producing more and more insulin.

Result: glucose and insulin remain elevated in the blood, favoring chronic inflammation and metabolic stress, with negative effects also on the heart. Over time this condition can contribute to the development of several metabolic problems, including:

accumulation of fat in the liver;

increase of triglycerides in the blood;

increased rigidity of blood vessels;

persistent systemic inflammation.

When the body remains in this state of metabolic imbalance for years, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases tends to increase.

The boron: a "economic" mineral with great metabolic powers

In this complex metabolic scenario, the boron is emerging as an interesting biological modulator.

This trace element is naturally present in different plant foods, including:

• nuts
• legumes
• avocado
• Dry plums.

Several studies suggest that boron can influence various important biological processes, including:

• modulation of inflammation
• vitamin D metabolism
• balance between calcium and magnesium
• hormonal metabolism.

A much-quoted scientific review highlighted how the boron could affect several metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers.

Studio:
Pizzorno L., 2015
Nothing Boring About Boron
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4712861/

Speculation of inflammation and cytokines

Some research suggests that boron supplementation can help reduce several inflammatory biomarkers, including TNF-α, IL-6 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).

In a clinical study on boron supplementation, researchers observed changes in different steroid hormones and a reduction of some pro-inflammatory cytokines during the integration period.

Studio:
Naghii MR et al., 2011
Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokines
http://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21129941/

Since chronic inflammation is one of the factors involved in the development of atherosclerosis, the modulation of these biomarkers is considered of interest in cardiometabolic research.

Effects on metabolism and lipid profile

Another clinical study examined the effects of a boron-rich diet on some metabolic parameters.

The results suggest that increased boron intake can help influencing blood lipid profile and some metabolic factors associated with cardiometabolic risk.

Studio:
Kuru R et al., 2019
Boron-rich diet may regulate blood lipid profile and quote obesity: A non-drug and self-controlled clinical trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31109611/

Effects on the heart in experimental research

Some experimental research has directly analyzed the effects of boron on the heart tissue.

A study published on Scientific Reports noted that boron can improve cardiac contractility and reduce the fibrotic remodelling of the heart after a myocardial infarction injury.

Studio:
Bouchareb R et al., 2020
Boron improves heart contractility and fibrotic remodeling following myocardial infarction injury
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33051505/

Because the boron is attracting the attention of researchers

The interest in the boron has increased when some researchers have observed that in regions with low levels of boron in the soil the incidence of some inflammatory diseases seems to be higher.

The boron could help regulate several fundamental biological processes, including:

• Mineral metabolism
• inflammatory response
• enzymatic activity.

♪
Donoiu I et al., 2018
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30262316/

Boron Food Approach

The average intake of boron in the western diet is generally quite low, often between 1 and 2 mg daily.

Several plant foods are good natural sources of this mineral.

More boron-rich foods (average content for 100 g)

• Dry pruning: 2.7 – 3.0 mg
• Uva passes: 2.2 – 2.5 mg
• Almonds: 2.1 – 2.3 mg
• Avocado: 1.4 – 2.0 mg

Boro supplementation: dosages used in studies

In scientific studies, boron is generally used in quantities between 3 mg and 10 mg per day.

In practice, the supplements available on the market are usually found in capsules or tablets with dosages of:

• 3 mg
• 5 mg
• 6 mg
• 10 mg

Choosing the dosage depends on individual needs and should always be evaluated along with a healthcare professional.

Which form of boron choose

In dietary supplements the boron can be present in different chemical forms.

Glycinate Boro (boron glycinate)
A chelated form with good bioavailability, often used in dietary supplements.

Sodium Borate (sodium borate)
A simple form of boron; it is important to choose products intended for food use.

Calcium fructoborate
A natural compound derived from fruits and vegetables, studied in some works for joint health and modulation of inflammation.

Where to buy boro

Boro supplements are easily available in:

• Pharmacies
• herbalists
• specialized stores in nutrition
• online stores.

Many products are available on platforms such as Amazon and eBay, generally in capsules or tablets with dosages between 3 mg and 10 mg.

Please note

The information contained in this article is informative and informative and does not replace the advice of a doctor or a qualified health professional. Before taking supplements or changing your diet it is always advisable to consult your physician, especially in the presence of pathologies or pharmacological therapies.