The fact that you’re reading this tells me you’re someone who values continuously learning and wants to feel your best. That’s why today I want to talk about something that very few practitioners have covered in their nutrition studies.
Boron.
But contrary to its name, this neglected trace mineral is far from bor-ing.
In fact, it has a range of really important roles, including assisting in cognitive function and memory (1). It also extends the half-life of vitamin D and estrogen in the body; both of which are essential for maintaining bone mineral density and protecting against osteoporosis (2).
For this reason, if you are concerned about their bones, I recommend opting to add boron to their hair mineral test. For the additional £7, it’s worth it!
Boron has a tendency to antagonise magnesium; another mineral that’s vital to bone health; so ensuring a satisfactory calcium/magnesium ratio is also extremely important in protecting against losses in bone mineral density. This is something you’ll find on all our hair mineral test results.
Although the evidence suggests that human bioaccumulation of boron is minimal (3), perhaps unsurprisingly, bones tend to store the most. Meanwhile, hair is a good representation of the levels of boron in soft tissue.
According to the World Health Organisation, the best technique for measuring boron in biological samples is Inductive Coupled Plasma, Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This method, which is used for hair mineral analysis, is the most sensitive, thereby allowing for lower detection limits.
There’s no specific daily dose recommended for boron and true boron deficiency is rare (2). Therefore it’s unlikely that boron supplementation is necessary, unless clinical evidence of a deficiency exists.
The best way to increase boron status is through dietary sources including apples, pears, prunes, raisins, avocados and dried apricots (2). Boron is also found in almonds, hazelnuts and brazil nuts. However, boron in raw nuts is less bioavailable due to their phytic acid content, so sprouted or roasted nuts are better options to maximise on boron absorption.
Add boron to your test and focus on optimal levels in your diet to help your bones, your hormones and even your mood.
References
- Penland JG. 1994. Dietary boron, brain function, and cognitive performance. Environ Health Perspect. 102(Suppl 7):65-72.
- Price CT, Langford JR, Liporace FA. 2012. Essential Nutrients for Bone Health and a Review of their Availability in the Average North American Diet. Open Orthop J. 6:143-9.
- Lumpkin M, Williams M. 2010. Toxicological Profile for Boron. US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
