Boron
Boron is a trace mineral studied for bone and hormone-related outcomes. Evidence remains limited for many claims.
Overview
What is boron?
Boron is a trace mineral that has been historically consumed for menstrual cramps. Whilst it has been taken to increase testosterone, the research for this purpose is inadequate.
Dosage
The optimal dose of boron is not known. Do not exceed manufacturer guidelines.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
10 conditions for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Database Snapshot
Most boron research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Vaginal yeast infections accounts for 9 of 21 studies (43%).
- Athletic performance accounts for 2 of 21 studies (10%).
- Radiation dermatitis accounts for 2 of 21 studies (10%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Athletic performance, Radiation dermatitis, Testosterone.
Dietary Sources
Top dietary sources
Food sources
Sources include Apples, Avocados, Broccoli, Peaches, Peanuts, and Raisins (Sultanas).
Safety
Boron is likely safe at a dose of up to the tolerable upper intake level (20 mg per day).
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources18 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Radiation dermatitis
2 references1.SupplementDEX Database: Radiation dermatitis — The Preventive Effects of Boron-Based Gel on Radiation Dermatitis in Patients Being Treated for Breast Cancer: A Phase III Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial2022
In 181 breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, topical 3% sodium pentaborate gel applied before each session markedly reduced dermatitis, erythema, dry desquamation, and moist desquamation versus placebo after 14 days.
2.SupplementDEX Database: Radiation dermatitis — Effects of Boron-Based Gel on Radiation-Induced Dermatitis in Breast Cancer: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial2017
In 47 breast cancer patients after radiotherapy, boron-based gel significantly lowered RTOG skin reaction scores versus placebo (p=0.024) by the fifth week of treatment.
3.SupplementDEX Database: Vaginal yeast infections — Treatment of vaginitis caused by Candida glabrata: use of topical boric acid and flucytosine2003
In 141 women with azole-refractory Candida glabrata vaginitis, topical boric acid 600 mg/day for 2–3 weeks achieved clinical and mycologic success in 64–71% of symptomatic cases across two sites.
4.SupplementDEX Database: Vaginal yeast infections — Vulvovaginal trichosporonosis2003
A review of 13 patients with vaginal Trichosporon inkin found it was usually a non-pathogen; in one symptomatic case, boric acid treatment resolved symptoms and cleared the culture.
5.SupplementDEX Database: Vaginal yeast infections — Vaginitis due to Candida krusei: epidemiology, clinical aspects, and therapy2002
In 12 women (ages 32–63) with fluconazole-refractory Candida krusei vaginitis, boric acid achieved clinical and mycological cure in 4 of 6 treated patients; C. krusei is intrinsically resistant to fluconazole.
6.SupplementDEX Database: Vaginal yeast infections — Efficacy of maintenance therapy with topical boric acid in comparison with oral itraconazole in the treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis2001
In 22 women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis followed 1 year, maintenance boric acid and oral itraconazole showed similar symptom and culture rates during therapy (~12–15% positive), with ~55% relapsing within 6 months after stopping.
7.SupplementDEX Database: Vaginal yeast infections — Treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis2000
A clinical review of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis notes that fewer than 5% of women experience recurrences, and long-term oral or topical antifungal prophylaxis may be needed because relapses are common once maintenance therapy stops.
8.SupplementDEX Database: Vaginal yeast infections — Treatment of Torulopsis glabrata vaginitis: retrospective review of boric acid therapy1997
In 60 symptomatic women with Torulopsis glabrata vaginitis, vaginal boric acid 600 mg/day for 14 days produced clinical improvement in 81% and mycological eradication in 77% of episodes, outperforming azole therapies.
9.SupplementDEX Database: Vaginal yeast infections — Boric acid vaginal suppositories1993
A brief report on boric acid vaginal suppositories for recurrent Candida vaginitis, describing formulation and use as an inexpensive alternative for azole-resistant infections.
10.SupplementDEX Database: Vaginal yeast infections — Treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis with boric acid powder1981
In a double-blind trial of vulvovaginal candidiasis, 600 mg/day intravaginal boric acid for 14 days achieved 92% cure at 7–10 days and 72% at 30 days versus 64% and 50% with nystatin capsules.
11.SupplementDEX Database: Vaginal yeast infections — Boric acid treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis1974
An early clinical report on intravaginal boric acid for vulvovaginal candidiasis, among the first documented uses of this therapy for refractory yeast infections.
SupplementDEX Database · Athletic performance
2 references12.SupplementDEX Database: Athletic performance — ISSN exercise & sports nutrition review update: research & recommendations2018
A 2018 ISSN review summarizes regulation, evaluation, and evidence for sports nutrition supplements, with emphasis on dietary strategies and ergogenic aids for muscle hypertrophy and performance enhancement.
13.SupplementDEX Database: Athletic performance — Plasma boron and the effects of boron supplementation in males1994
In 19 male bodybuilders, 2.5 mg/day boron for 7 weeks raised plasma boron in some men but did not affect total or free testosterone, lean body mass, or strength beyond training effects seen in both groups.
14.SupplementDEX Database: Primary dysmenorrhea — Effects of boron supplementation on the severity and duration of pain in primary dysmenorrhea2015
In 113 university students with primary dysmenorrhea, 10 mg/day boron taken from 2 days before menses through day 3 for two cycles significantly reduced menstrual pain severity and duration versus placebo.
15.SupplementDEX Database: Rheumatoid arthritis — The adjuvant use of calcium fructoborate and borax with etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Pilot study2016
In 72 Iraqi RA patients on etanercept, adjuvant calcium fructoborate (220 mg/day) or sodium tetraborate (55 mg/day) for 60 days improved disease activity scores and lowered ESR, hsCRP, IL-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Testosterone
1 reference16.SupplementDEX Database: Testosterone — Effect of dietary boron on mineral, estrogen, and testosterone metabolism in postmenopausal women1987
In 12 postmenopausal women over 119 days, 3 mg/day boron supplementation reduced urinary calcium and magnesium excretion and markedly raised serum 17β-estradiol and testosterone, especially on low-magnesium diets.
SupplementDEX Database · Joint pain
1 reference17.SupplementDEX Database: Joint pain — Short-term efficacy of calcium fructoborate on subjects with knee discomfort: a comparative, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study2014
In 60 adults with knee discomfort (ages 35–65), 110 mg calcium fructoborate twice daily for 14 days significantly reduced WOMAC and McGill pain scores versus placebo at days 7 and 14.
SupplementDEX Database · Kidney stones
1 reference18.SupplementDEX Database: Kidney stones — Preliminary evidence hints at a protective role for boron in urolithiasis2012
Preliminary evidence suggests dietary boron may play a protective role against urolithiasis (kidney stone formation), though detailed clinical outcome data were not reported in this brief report.