Boron

Boron is a trace mineral that promotes the body’s absorption of calcium. It is also thought to increase the body’s levels of other important nutrients, including vitamin D, calcium, copper, and magnesium.

How important is boron as a micronutrient? As boron contributes to the efficiency of other vital micronutrients, it can certainly be said that this mineral is very important. Additionally, boron deficiency, it is thought, may contribute to the development of osteoarthritis and prostate cancer. Consequently, individuals with diets low in boron have a higher risk of developing such conditions.

Boron is thought to increase the levels of estrogen and testosterone in the body and this has lead to the speculation that boron can enhance lean muscle mass for bodybuilding purposes and can also be used to treat menopausal symptoms (by raising estrogen levels). However, so far, studies do not exist to substantiate this.

Part of the problem regarding boron and claims surrounding it, however, may be due, in part, to the fact that researchers have only been studying boron since the 1980s. As a result, long-term studies on boron have only yielded preliminary data.

However, it is worth mentioning that some studies link boron supplements to enhanced coordination, attention, and improvements in short-and long-term memory.

Vitamin Stuff Home Page

More special interest sections here

Health Foods	Health-Fitness	Vitamins	Medical Problems
Dieting, Diets	Alternative Medicine	The Dictionary	VitaminStuff Blog
Antioxidants	Health Articles	Supplements	Amino Acids

	Herbs		Alterative Healing		Super Foods