From the Guidelines
Boron supplementation is not a recommended primary treatment for osteoporosis, and its effectiveness is not supported by the most recent and highest quality studies. The most recent evidence from 1 and 1 suggests that established osteoporosis treatments like bisphosphonates, hormone therapy, or denosumab are the most effective options for managing osteoporosis. While boron may play a role in bone health by influencing calcium metabolism and potentially increasing estrogen levels in postmenopausal women, its benefits are not well-established, and it should not be relied upon as a primary treatment.
Key Points to Consider
- The American College of Physicians guideline update from 1 does not mention boron as a recommended treatment for osteoporosis.
- The evidence-based guideline for the management of osteoporosis in men from 1 recommends vitamin D and calcium repletion, oral bisphosphonates, and denosumab as first-line treatments, but does not mention boron.
- The improvement in bone mineral density (BMD) with anti-osteoporosis medications, as reported in 1, is significant, but boron is not included in the list of effective treatments.
Recommendations for Osteoporosis Management
- Ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake
- Engage in weight-bearing exercise
- Consider prescribed osteoporosis medications, such as bisphosphonates or denosumab, as recommended by 1 and 1
- Consult with a healthcare provider before taking any supplements, including boron, especially if you have kidney problems
Boron Supplementation
- Typical supplementation ranges from 3-6 mg daily
- Available in various forms, including sodium borate, boron citrate, and boron glycinate
- Food sources rich in boron include prunes, raisins, nuts, and avocados
- While boron appears safe at recommended doses, its effectiveness for osteoporosis management is not well-established, and it should not be relied upon as a primary treatment.
From the Research
Boron Supplementation and Osteoporosis
- Boron is a trace element that plays a crucial role in maintaining bone health by regulating calcium metabolism, growth, and maintenance of bone tissue 2.
- Studies have shown that boron supplementation can have a positive effect on bone health, particularly in preventing and maintaining adequate bone mineral density 2, 3.
- A narrative review of 11 eligible studies found that boron supplementation, alone or with other micronutrients, can support bone health by controlling calcium, vitamin D, and sex steroid hormone metabolism 2.
- The review suggested a daily dosage of 3 mg/day of boron supplementation, which is lower than the Upper Level indicated by EFSA, to be effective in supporting bone health 2.
Mechanism of Boron in Bone Health
- Boron may play a role in bone metabolism by interacting with other minerals and vitamins, such as calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D 3.
- A study found that dietary boron supplement can increase serum boron content, stimulate bone formation, and inhibit bone resorption, producing a therapeutic effect against osteoporosis 4.
- Another study suggested that daily boron intake may affect bone metabolism in postmenopausal women positively, with higher serum osteocalcin levels found in boron-exposed women 5.
Effects of Boron Supplementation on Osteoporosis
- A study found that boron supplementation increased the elevation of urinary calcium and magnesium induced by 17beta-estradiol treatment, but did not confer an increase in bone mineral density or bone strength 6.
- However, another study found that boron treatment increased the mean trabecular plate density and thickness, trabecular bone volume, and cortical bone volume of the femurs in osteoporotic rats, and decreased the active osteoclast quantity in the spongy bone and serum TRAP activities 4.
- The evidence suggests that boron supplementation may have a beneficial effect on osteoporosis, particularly in preventing and maintaining adequate bone mineral density, although more research is needed to fully understand its role in bone metabolism 2, 3, 4, 5.