Boron is a dietary trace mineral found in large amounts in the Earth’s crust. It’s commonly used in the industrial world to make materials such as ceramics and fiberglass.
However, boron is also found in many foods you eat. It’s estimated that we get about 3mg of boron every day from drinking coffee, snacking some types of nuts, or eating apples.
Boron has a number of reported benefits for the human body. It can improve bone strength and help regulate testosterone production, which is why some people supplement it to boost athletic performance.
Boron is also used for treating yeast infection in women. However, not all of these uses are backed by clinical evidence. Although some studies suggest that boron can help men with ED, it’s still not clear how much of a difference it actually makes.
In this wiki article, we’ll be dissecting the science behind boron, including its reported effects, side effects and dosage.
Reported Effects of Boron
1. Supports Healthy Testosterone Levels
Many people wonder if boron can really boost testosterone levels. The short answer is yes. However, it takes a little digging to discern the myths from the actual science.
According to an extensive 2015 study review, taking 6 mg of boron daily for only one week leads to the following benefits [1]:
- Increases free testosterone levels by almost 25%
- Reduces estradiol levels by over 40%
- Significantly reduces inflammatory marker proteins, such as C-reactive protein
- Enables more free testosterone to bind with certain proteins, which can be of particular benefit for older men
A small study from 2011 reported similar outcomes, with 10mg of daily boron intake for one week resulting in significantly increased free testosterone levels and reduced estrogen levels. [2]
Although these studies look promising, it’s still too early to make any conclusions. The effects of long-term boron supplementation on hormone levels aren’t yet known.
2. Helps Treat Yeast Infections
Another popular use of boron is for the treatment of vaginal infections. Boric acid capsules are used inside the vagina to make the vagina more acidic.
Boric acid is a type of boron. While it should never be ingested, it’s sometimes used topically to help with recurring yeast infections.
However, research on this particular use is still inconclusive. A 2003 study review published in the Obstetrical & Gynecological reported that while boric acid may be beneficial for recurrent yeast infections that don’t respond to conventional therapies, it might also come with side effects such as vaginal burning.
So, while there is some evidence pointing to boron’s benefits for this particular use, most of the research is dated and mixed so this benefit can’t be confirmed. [3]
3. Improves ED That’s Linked to Low Testosterone
The reported benefits of boron for erectile dysfunction are based on the premise that it’s able to raise free T levels.
If the underlying issue behind your ED is low testosterone, too much estrogen, or other hormonal imbalances, then supplementing boron could lead to improvements.
But if the ED is caused by another issue, such as poor circulation from diabetes, taking boron isn’t of much help. Remember to listen to the advice of your MD before taking boron or any other supplement to treat ED.
4. Strengthens Bones and Joints
Boron’s effects on vitamin D metabolism might have a knock-on effect on your bone and joint health.
Boron has an influence on extending the half-life of vitamin D. Meaning, it increases the time it takes for the nutrient to break down to half of its initial amount.
Researchers don’t exactly know how boron achieves this. But it could play an important role for bone health for a number of reasons.
The most important reason is, vitamin D enhances the ability of the body to absorb calcium. Calcium is what makes our bones strong. Boron works to enhance vitamin D’s positive effects by making it stay longer in your body.
An article published in the Open Orthopaedics Journal suggests that low levels of boron are closely correlated with low levels of vitamin D. [4]
Common Supplements that Contain Boron
Boron can be found in many different supplements, ranging from multivitamins to bone and joint health formulas. One of the most popular multivitamin brands with boron is Optimum Nutrition.
Due to its potential influence on hormone levels, boron can also be found in some men’s vitality formulas and “testosterone boosters”.
Side Effects of Boron Supplementation – Are there Reported Side Effects?
Boron is generally regarded as safe when supplemented.
However, more long-term human research is needed to fully confirm its potential for side effects.
Until then, it’s best to stick to smaller doses of boron (detailed in the next section).
In rare cases, boron has been reported to cause side effects at higher doses. These include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
- Skin flushing
Since boron gets excreted primarily through your kidneys, you should avoid taking it if you have any form of a kidney condition.
Boron Dosage
The lowest supplemental dose of Boron used in studies is 3mg, which is effective in supporting hormones in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
For bone and joint health, doses of 6mg appear effective in clinical research.
If the goal is raising testosterone levels, doses of 10mg per day have yielded positive results in studies.
With all of that being said, the research on boron is in its early stages and its optimal dose for long-term supplementation is still unknown.
Scientific References
- Pizzorno L. Nothing Boring About Boron. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2015;14(4):35‐48.
- Naghii MR, Mofid M, Asgari AR, Hedayati M, Daneshpour MS. Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokines. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2011;25(1):54‐58. doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2010.10.001
- Sobel JD, Chaim W, Nagappan V, Leaman D. Treatment of vaginitis caused by Candida glabrata: use of topical boric acid and flucytosine. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2003;189(5):1297‐1300. doi:10.1067/s0002-9378(03)00726-9
- Price CT, Langford JR, Liporace FA. Essential Nutrients for Bone Health and a Review of their Availability in the Average North American Diet. Open Orthop J. 2012;6:143‐149. doi:10.2174/1874325001206010143