Effect of boron supplementation on blood and urinary calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and urinary boron in athletic and sedentary women

Abstract

It has been reported that boron may be beneficial for optimal calcium metabolism and, thus, optimal bone metabolism. Therefore, we designed a study to determine the effects of boron supplementation on blood and urinary minerals in athletic subjects and sedentary control subjects consuming self-selected typical Western diets. Serum phosphorus concentrations were lower in boron-supplemented subjects than in placebo-supplemented subjects. Compared with all other subjects, serum magnesium concentrations were greatest in the sedentary control subjects supplemented with boron and increased with time in all subjects. Exercise training diminished changes in serum phosphorus concentrations caused by boron supplementation. Calcium excretion increased over time in all groups combined, and boron excretion increased over time in all boron-supplemented subjects. The findings suggest that boron supplementation modestly affected mineral status, and exercise modified the effects of boron supplementation on serum minerals.

Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokines

“…It is reported that dietary boron influences the activity of several micronutrients, including calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, and boron supplementation in rats and chicks has been shown to increase bone strength [14]. In athletic subjects boron supplementation modestly affected mineral status, and exercise modified the effects of boron supplementation on serum minerals [15]. However, it was also found that 3 mg boron/d for 10 months altered serum mineral levels but did not affect circulating hormones [16].…”

Analysis of Boron Content in Frequently Consumed Foods in Korea

“…Its function with regards to nutrition for skeletal structure was proposed in a study by Hunt and Nielsen [7], which reported that supplementation of boron enhanced growth and strengthened skeletal structure in chickens with vitamin D deficiency. Particularly, through experiments on animals [8][9][10][11][12] and humans [13][14][15][16], boron seems to interact with bone metabolism, especially with calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, to serve an important role in structure and mineral increase of bones.…”

BJSMreviews: A–Z of nutritional supplements: dietary supplements, sports nutrition foods and ergogenic aids for health and performance Part 4

“…A 10-month boron supplementation study in young female athletes,19 versus sedentary women, produced a modest effect on mineral status. This included a decrease in serum phosphorus and increased urinary calcium excretion which was greater in athletes than in controls.…”