By: Donovan Baldwin

Boron, is another of the "trace minerals". It is considered a micronutrient, and is only required by the human body in extremely small amounts. While "recommended" daily doses are slightly higher the absolute minimum daily dose of boron should be at least 0.25 mg of boron. The World Health Organization (WHO) says an acceptable range of boron is from 1 mg, to 13 mg, per day.

While there are possibly toxic effects of too much boron, it is such a large dose that an overdose of boron would probably be from extreme supplementation.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BORON

The mineral, boron, actually is diverse in its roles for all life, but, for humans, it is an essential nutrient for bone growth and maintenance, can help speed the healing of wounds, and assists in the body's use of the important hormones, estrogen and testosterone, and also vitamin D.

Other health benefits of boron include assisting in the body's absorption of magnesium, a mineral important for bone and heart health. Boron also seems to assist the body in fighting inflammation; assists in the effect of antioxidants, which fight aging factors, such as free radicals; and protects against the modern problem of oxidative stress caused by common pesticides, and also is believed to aid the body in fighting off toxicity from heavy metals in the environment.

As if these health benefits of the mineral, boron, were not enough, it appears to assist in brain function and may assist the body in resisting various cancers.

FOOD SOURCES OF BORON

Boron, being a trace mineral, does not have to cause a huge, or unpleasant, hunt for food sources of boron. Fortunately, it is readily available from fruits, nuts, and even such easy to take, and, for some, pleasant sources, such as peanut butter, and wine.

If you already ARE a wine lover, combine the anti-aging benefits of red wine with your need for boron. At least, that can be your story if asked.

SYMPTOMS OF BORON DEFICIENCY AND BORON OVERDOSE

In the quite unlikely event of a boron overdose, you may experience skin inflammation, skin peeling, irritability, tremors, convulsions, weakness, headaches, depression, diarrhea, vomiting...the most common symptoms of boron overdose.

While it's difficult to call them "symptoms of boron deficiency" per se, a boron deficiency may contribute to the development of osteoporosis and/or kidney stones.