Boron is one of those minerals that most people know nothing about. However, research has found that it is very beneficial to human health. It can also help prevent and treat some cancers, as well as improving the immune system (which helps to fight all cancers).

Boron isn’t always found in our food as it significantly depends on the soil in the area where the food is grown. Some areas have very little, to no, boron, while other areas have plenty. They’ve found people that live in areas with good boron levels in the soil have lower rates of arthritis (and probably other inflammatory diseases), where people living in areas with low boron levels have higher rates of arthritis ^#1.  They’ve also found that food grown with lots of fertilizers does not take up boron (and thus isn’t available to us); this is the case with most non-organic foods.

“Since 1963, evidence has accumulated that suggests boron is a safe and effective treatment for some forms of arthritis. The initial evidence was that boron supplementation alleviated arthritic pain and discomfort of the author. This was followed by findings from numerous other observations epidemiologic and controlled animal and human experiments… A significant favorable response to a 6 mg boron/day supplement was obtained; 50% of subjects receiving the supplement improved compared to only 10% receiving the placebo” #2

The following scientific paper gives a good general outline of the many health benefits associated with boron. In addition to the direct benefits that it provides, it also helps increase the serum levels of vitamin D and magnesium. For those of you that have read Cancer: Improving Your Odds you know just how important these nutrients are to fighting cancer and improving the immune system.

“Boron has been proven to be an important trace mineral because it (1) is essential for the growth and maintenance of bone; (2) greatly improves wound healing; (3) beneficially impacts the body’s use of estrogen, testosterone, and vitamin D; (4) boosts magnesium absorption; (5) reduces levels of inflammatory biomarkers, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α); (6) raises levels of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase; (7) protects against pesticide-induced oxidative stress and heavy-metal toxicity; (8) improves the brains electrical activity, cognitive performance, and short-term memory for elders; (9) influences the formation and activity of key biomolecules, such as S-adenosyl methionine (SAM-e) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+); (10) has demonstrated preventive and therapeutic effects in a number of cancers, such as prostate, cervical, and lung cancers, and multiple and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; and (11) may help ameliorate the adverse effects of traditional chemotherapeutic agents.” #3

Several studies have linked low boron levels to increased rates of certain cancers and supplementation to better cancer outcomes. It has probably been investigated the most with prostate cancer (this is most likely because it was one of the first cancers where the connection was identified).

“Boron compounds are very effective against leukemia cells, breast cancer cells, lung cancer cells, prostate cancer cells and ovarian cancer cells… Boric acid has also been reported to inhibit (with 64 % less likelihood of developing prostate cancer compared to men who consumed the least amount of boron)… mice receiving 1.7 or 90 mg/kg/day of boric acid solution orally showed a decrease in tumor size by 38 % and 25 %, respectively… Boron compounds have an apoptotic effect on cancer cells that proliferate randomly and that have a damaged apoptosis mechanism. Apoptotic cells are also characterized by cell shrinkage, cytoskeletal disruption, membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation and ordered cleavage of DNA” #4

It is clear that proper boron levels help to prevent several cancers. It has also been found to have general benefits to the immune system and helps reduce improper inflammation. Proper boron levels increase B and T-cell levels; T-cells are vitally important to fighting cancer.

“The study implicates boron as a regulator of the immune and inflammatory reactions and macrophage polarization, thus playing an important role in augmenting host defense against infection, with possible role in cancer and other diseases… In animals and human, boron has been implicated in hormone and mineral metabolism and is also reported for its ability to modulate the inflammatory response… The dose-dependent increase in B and T lymphocytes observed in this study in splenocytes isolated from borax treated mice and challenged with an antigen and a mitogen indicated the B and T cells proliferation by boron. B and T cells are two broad classes (subtypes) of lymphocytes.” #5

Boron can also naturally increase Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG). Low SHBG levels in women have been associated with hyperandrogenism and endometrial cancer due to increased exposure to androgens and estrogens.

“(Boron) supplementation showed a significant decrease on sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), high sensitive CRP (hsCRP) and TNF-α level. After one week (in samples taken at 8.00 A.M, only), the mean plasma free testosterone increased and the mean plasma estradiol decreased significantly. Dihydrotestosterone, cortisol and vitamin D was elevated. Also, concentrations of all three inflammatory biomarkers decreased after supplementation.” ^#6

“Several population‐based studies have reported a strong association between both low testosterone and low SHBG levels… Low testosterone levels tends to predict the development of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus… and have been associated with both all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality” ^#7

Metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and low testosterone levels have all been associated with increased general cancer risks. Boron has been shown to improve all of these conditions.

My recommendation would be to take 3-6mg of boron per day. There are several types of boron compounds on the market. My favorite, and the one that I take daily, is a more natural type that is extracted from food; as an added advantage it also contains broccoli powder. It can be found on the Supplements page (link on the menu at the top of this page), simply enter “boron” in the search box.