MAIN Health Vitamins & Minerals Boron

Boron, a member of the periodic table, is also a trace mineral consumed by human beings with a whole host of health benefits. More importantly though, there is evidence to suggest that Americans are boron deficient, which exposes them to a whole host of potential risks, one of which is prostate cancer.

One study of several thousand Americans showed that men who consume boron are much less likely to develop prostate cancer. The men who consumed at least 1.8 mg of boron a day had less than a third of the risk of developing prostate cancer that the men who consumed 0.9 mg or less a day of boron did.

Boron's most important health application is as an arthritis treatment and prevention method. While the evidence is still somewhat unclear on how exactly boron affects arthritis, there is a great deal of evidence that the more arid places in the world, where boron concentrations are much higher in the soil and in the water, also have much lower incidences of arthritis.

One of the reasons many researchers think boron helps treat arthritis is because it is essential for the strengthening of bones. Boron helps metabolize many bone strengthening minerals like calcium, copper, and magnesium.

There is also evidence that Boron provides several health benefits to the brain. It is widely believed that boron can positively influence a diverse set of brain functions including memory, concentration, and even hand-eye coordination.

Although many Americans are boron deficient when compared to other nationalities, it is an easy problem to fix as boron is available in high concentrations in many common foods, such as pears, apples, and grapes. Remember though that boron is absorbed by these plants from the soil, so getting these foods from arid geographies is essential for maintaining proper boron levels.

More about boron around the Web:

InteliHealth: Boron - A good collection of facts with evidence of suggested proper and unproven uses, potential dangers, interactions, correct dosages, along with related resources and a bibliography.

Food Standards Agency - Boron - A quick definition with suggested food sources and daily allowances with more complete information and scientific assessment in PDF format.

Trace Minerals - Research - Boron - History, sources, and a discussion on the connection between arthritis and boron, research related to memory enhancement and cognitive function, with recommended dosages by age level, related bibliography.

Boosting Boron Could Be Healthful - Science News Online article on research suggesting a connection between high boron levels and decreased risk of prostate cancer.

Boron - Thumbnail descriptions on the results of recent research including boron deficiencies, its effects on brain function and cognitive performance, menopause, atherosclerosis.

Boron DRI / RDA - Good overview of boron's action on the cellular level with more on related research and clinical trials, the trace mineral's synergists and antangonists, toxicity and negative side effects, food sources and recommended dietary intake.

Boron - A complete description plus information on its benefits, how it works, indications and usage, drug interactions, dosage by life stage and bibliography from PDRhealth.