vitaminEVIDENCEBUSOTC

Boron

aka Sodium tetraborate · Boric acid

Trace mineral with effects on calcium metabolism, hormone metabolism, and brain function. Particularly studied for testosterone support and bone health.

Dose range3–10mg

Half-life—h

Onset—min

Safety4/5medium evidence base

Mechanism of action

Modulates calcium and magnesium metabolism. Reduces sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), increasing free testosterone in men. Influences vitamin D and steroid hormone metabolism. Crosses the blood-brain barrier and modulates electrolyte balance in neurons.

History

Boron's nutritional essentiality was debated for decades — definitive proof of human requirement came only in the 1980s. The cognitive function evidence emerged from Penland's USDA studies in the 1990s showing deficiency-related EEG changes and cognitive deficits. The testosterone evidence emerged in the 2000s. Boron is unscheduled globally and one of the cheapest and safest supplements available.

Benefits

Free testosterone increase in men
EVIDENCEB
Naghii 2011.
Bone health and calcium retention
EVIDENCEB
Multiple trials.
Cognitive function in deficient subjects
EVIDENCEC
Penland 1994.

Side effects

GI upset (high dose)raremild

Cited research

Boron and free testosterone in men (Naghii)2011
PMID 21129941 ↗
Boron and brain function (Penland)1994
PMID 7889887 ↗
Boron in human nutrition: review (Pizzorno)2015
PMID 26770156 ↗

Where to buy

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Vendor	Product	Size	Price	Per unit
ThorneFeatured 4.6	Boron — Thorne	—	See vendor	—	Shop Ad
Life Extension 4.3	Boron — Life Extension	—	See vendor	—	Shop Ad
NOW Foods 4.1	Boron — NOW Foods	—	See vendor	—	Shop Ad
Amazon Marketplace 3.5	Boron — Amazon	—	See vendor	—	Shop Ad

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