Happier Joints and Stronger Bones: Why Boron Deserves Your Attention
What is Boron?
Boron is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in soil, rocks, and water—and, by extension, in the plants we eat. While its health benefits are less widely discussed than other minerals, it’s steadily gaining attention for its impressive role in keeping us fit and healthy. Researchers are beginning to recognize a variety of ways that boron quietly worked behind the scenes to support bone strength, joint comfort, and overall vitality without demanding the spotlight.
Why Boron Matters
Though required in only small amounts, boron is essential for:
- Arthritis relief: Multiple studies have shown that boron supplementation can reduce stiffness and joint pain associated with osteoarthritis, improving overall mobility.
- Bone strength and density: Boron contributes to the maintenance of strong, healthy bones by supporting the body’s natural bone-building processes—especially important as we age.
- Joint health and mobility: Boron helps support cartilage repair and reduces inflammation—two major factors in maintaining smooth, pain-free movement.
- Better nutrient absorption: It enhances your body’s ability to absorb and use calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D—three key players in bone strength and joint integrity.
- Hormonal balance: Boron may help regulate levels of key hormones, including estrogen and testosterone, which both play roles in bone health, energy levels, and mood.
- Cognitive support: Some research suggests boron may aid in mental clarity, coordination, and memory—making it beneficial for brain health as well as physical wellness.
Why You Might Not Be Getting Enough
Even if you're eating a diet rich in foods touted for being high in boron, such as nuts, avocados, and leafy greens, many people still don't get enough of this vital mineral. So, why is that?
- Soil Depletion: Boron deficiency is very widespread in New Zealand. This means a lot of plants grown there simply don’t contain optimal amounts of boron, leaving Kiwis more prone to not getting enough boron in their diets.
- Modern Farming Practices: Industrial farming techniques, including the use of synthetic fertilizers, have reduced the natural boron content in many crops. These fertilizers often lack boron, and the over-farming of land can deplete the mineral from the soil, making it harder for plants (and us) to get enough.
- Bioavailability Issues: Even if you're eating boron-rich foods, the bioavailability—or how well your body absorbs the mineral—can vary. Factors like age, digestive health, and even the cooking methods of your food can affect how much boron you actually get from your meals.
What the Research Says
Studies continue to uncover just how important boron is for long-term joint, bone, and metabolic health:
- Boron and arthritis prevention: A 2015 review reported that in regions where people consume around 1 mg of boron daily, arthritis rates tend to range from 20% to 70%. In contrast, areas with intakes of 3–10 mg per day typically report arthritis rates as low as 0%–10%.¹
- Stronger bones in postmenopausal women: A recent pilot study suggests that boron supplements were significantly more effective than calcium supplements at improving bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.²
- Bone density maintenance: A 2020 meta-review of 11 studies found that a 3 mg daily boron supplement was beneficial for maintaining healthy bone mineral density.³
- Fluoride removal and bone health: Research suggests boron may help remove accumulated fluoride from soft tissues and bone, supporting detoxification and improving skeletal health.⁴
- Heavy metal detoxification: Preliminary studies indicate that boron may assist in binding and clearing certain heavy metals from the body, such as aluminum and cadmium, which are known to disrupt metabolic and neurological functions.⁵
The Bottom Line
Boron may not be as well-known as calcium or vitamin D, but its impact on joint comfort and bone strength is hard to ignore. Whether you're managing arthritis, recovering from joint strain, or simply aiming to stay mobile and active, boron could be a game-changer.
If you're concerned about your joint health, you may want to try boron—get in touch with us if you have any questions or want help finding a source of natural boron.
---
¹ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4712861/?
² https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fsn3.4218
³ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0946672X20301425?via%3Dihub#sec0070
⁵ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0940299310001107?via%3Dihub