Boron
Also known as: boron citrate, boron glycinate, boron aspartate, calcium fructoborate, elemental boron
Effective Dosage
No established dose from provided studies
What the Science Says
Boron is a trace mineral found naturally in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. The research papers provided focus almost entirely on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), a specialized cancer treatment where boron compounds are delivered to tumor cells and then activated by a neutron beam — this is a medical procedure, not a dietary supplement. No provided studies examined boron supplementation for bone health, testosterone, or other commonly marketed benefits.
What It Doesn't Do
The provided research does not support claims that boron supplements boost testosterone. No evidence from these studies that it improves joint health or reduces arthritis pain. Not shown to enhance athletic performance. The cancer-fighting research involves a highly specialized medical procedure — taking a boron supplement will not treat cancer.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Boron supplementation (10 mg/day) may reduce the severity and duration of menstrual pain in primary dysmenorrhea, likely through anti-inflammatory mechanisms (PMID: 25906949). It may also assist in urinary stone expulsion after ESWL with an expulsion rate comparable to tamsulosin (46.6% vs 38.7%), though the difference was not statistically significant (PMID: 36808295). In a rat model, dietary boron supplementation stimulated bone formation and inhibited bone resorption in retinoic acid-induced osteoporosis, though human clinical evidence is lacking (PMID: 17259120).
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 10 mg/day for anti-inflammatory/pain uses; 2.5 mg/day studied for testosterone (ineffective); No established dose for bone health in humans
Source: auto-research
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no provided studies examined the absorption or bioavailability of dietary boron supplements
Red Flags to Watch For
- None of the provided research papers study boron as a dietary supplement — all relevant papers cover industrial cancer therapy (BNCT), not supplementation
- Marketing claims about testosterone boosting and bone density are not supported by any of the provided studies
- High-dose boron can be toxic; no safe upper limit for supplementation is established by the provided data
- Many products in the NIH DSLD database contain boron, but the research base provided here does not validate their label claims
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-04-06