Boron
Also known as: boron (elemental), borax, sodium tetraborate
Randomized trials cited here report a favourable response of osteoarthritis symptoms to 6 mg/day boron in a small study and a reduction in severity and duration of primary dysmenorrhoea with 10 mg/day taken around menses. Other trials found no effect of low-dose (2.5 mg/day) supplementation on testosterone in male bodybuilders or no change in postprandial coagulation, lipids, insulin or glucose after an acute 11.6 mg bolus. The evidence is limited in size and scope.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-14 · 4 indexed studies
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Overview
Boron is a trace element found in foods and soils that has been studied for effects on bone and joint symptoms and on menstrual pain. Human randomized trials report possible symptomatic benefits for osteoarthritis and primary dysmenorrhoea but have generally failed to confirm effects on testosterone or on acute coagulation measures.
Mechanism & Function
Mechanism of Action
Proposed mechanisms include modulation of inflammatory processes and effects on mineral metabolism relevant to bone and joint tissues; however, the provided human trials do not include mechanistic biomarker endpoints beyond clinical symptoms.
Physiological Role
Trace element involved in processes related to bone metabolism and possibly local inflammatory responses in musculoskeletal tissues.
Primary Pathways
Performance / Health Relevance
Limited for athletic performance. A small trial in bodybuilders showed no effect on testosterone, strength or lean mass compared with placebo.
Evidence Review
No meta-analyses or systematic reviews indexed for this ingredient yet.
Dimensions marked N/A have no indexed evidence of that class. They are shown as unavailable rather than scored.
Practical Use & Dosage
- Minimum Effective Dose
- 6 mg/day (supported by one small osteoarthritis trial)
- Optimal Range
- 6–11.6 mg/day (based on doses used in the included trials)
- Upper / Caution Level
- Not established from the provided abstracts
- Timing
- In the dysmenorrhoea trial, 10 mg/day was taken from two days before menses until the third day of flow; other trials used daily dosing or single acute bolus with a meal.
- Best Format
- Oral tablet/capsule as common boron salts (as used in trials such as sodium tetraborate or other boron-containing supplements).
- Bioavailability
- Not established in the provided abstracts.
- Absorption Considerations
- One acute study administered boron with a fat-rich meal; other studies used daily oral dosing.
Safety & Interactions
Side Effects
- •No major adverse effects reported in the provided trials; isolated trial reports do not detail side-effect profiles.
Contraindications
- Not established from the provided abstracts.
Drug Interactions
- •Not described in the provided abstracts.
Who Should Avoid
- •People with limited evidence for safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding should seek medical advice; those on complex medication regimens should consult a clinician.
Monitoring
Clinical monitoring not specified in the trials; if used long term consider monitoring by a clinician given limited large-scale safety data in these abstracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.
When is Boron typically used or indicated?
Boron is most commonly used for: Bone and joint support, Menstrual pain relief, General micronutrient supplementation. Trace element involved in processes related to bone metabolism and possibly local inflammatory responses in musculoskeletal tissues.
How does Boron work?
Proposed mechanisms include modulation of inflammatory processes and effects on mineral metabolism relevant to bone and joint tissues; however, the provided human trials do not include mechanistic biomarker endpoints beyond clinical symptoms.
What is the recommended dose of Boron?
The optimal range is 6–11.6 mg/day (based on doses used in the included trials). with a minimum effective dose of 6 mg/day (supported by one small osteoarthritis trial). Best taken: In the dysmenorrhoea trial, 10 mg/day was taken from two days before menses until the third day of flow; other trials used daily dosing or single acute bolus with a meal.. Upper / caution level: Not established from the provided abstracts.
What are the side effects of Boron?
Reported side effects include: No major adverse effects reported in the provided trials; isolated trial reports do not detail side-effect profiles.. Monitoring: Clinical monitoring not specified in the trials; if used long term consider monitoring by a clinician given limited large-scale safety data in these abstracts.
Does Boron interact with medications?
Known or theoretical interactions: Not described in the provided abstracts.. Always check with a clinician before combining with prescription medication.
Who should avoid Boron?
Boron is generally not recommended for: People with limited evidence for safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding should seek medical advice; those on complex medication regimens should consult a clinician.; and Not established from the provided abstracts..
How strong is the evidence for Boron?
Evidence level: Moderate (overall score 55/100), based on 4 indexed studies on SuppIndex.
Research & References (4)
Boron supplementation and activated factor VII in healthy men.
Acute, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study in 15 healthy men (45–65 y) given a single 11.6 mg boron bolus with a high-fat meal; measured insulin, glucose, lipids and coagulation factors up to 6 hours.
Essentiality of boron for healthy bones and joints.
Narrative report referencing multiple lines of evidence including a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 20 subjects with osteoarthritis where 6 mg/day boron produced symptomatic improvement in 50% of treated subjects versus 10% of placebo.
Effects of boron supplementation on the severity and duration of pain in primary dysmenorrhea.
Triple-blind randomized clinical trial in 113 university students with primary dysmenorrhoea; participants took 10 mg/day boron from two days before menses until third day of flow for two cycles.
Plasma boron and the effects of boron supplementation in males.
Randomized trial in male bodybuilders: 10 received 2.5 mg/day boron and 9 received placebo for 7 weeks; outcomes included plasma testosterone, lean body mass and strength.
Related Ingredients
Other top-rated ingredients in Minerals.
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84/100An amino acid chelate of magnesium providing elemental Mg²⁺ bound to two glycine molecules, offering superior bioavailability and minimal gastrointestinal side effects.
Calcium Citrate
75/100Calcium bound to citric acid; ~24% elemental Ca by mass; absorbed across the small intestine via active transport and paracellular diffusion regardless of gastric pH.
Zinc
74/100Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of human trials show that oral zinc supplementation reduces duration and increases recovery rates in acute and persistent watery diarrhoea in children; lowers inflammatory lesion counts in acne; reduces pain severity in primary dysmenorrhea; and in small trials (20–30 mg/day) improved fasting glucose and 2‑hr OGTT in people with prediabetes. Adverse effects reported include increased vomiting in children receiving zinc for diarrhoea.
Research Overview
Moderate EvidenceCite this ingredient
One-click citation export in APA, MLA, Chicago, BibTeX, or HTML. The URL below is stable and safe to link.
Stable URL
https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/boron
SuppIndex. (2026). Boron: Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/boron
Based on 4 indexed studies · Evidence level: Moderate.
Goal Ratings
Stack Compatibility
Compatible with common bone-support nutrients in theory (e.g. calcium and vitamin D) but specific trial combinations were not reported in the provided abstracts.