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B5.5
Boron Research
Mostly mechanism / observational
36 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Mostly mechanism / observational
Most Boron studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from high-quality randomised trials published 1993–2026 with a typical study size of 29 participants.
Based on 36 studies · 14 RCTs · 608 total participants
Confidence
Moderate confidence
By outcome
Bone healthSupports bone mineral density and skeletal strength · 8-12 weeks
Joint pain & arthritisSupports joint health and reduces arthritis symptoms in deficiency · 4-8 weeks
Too few graded studies1 study
Therapeutic & clinical
Too few graded studies1 study
Safety profile
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 16 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
100%
across studies
People studied
608
typical study: 29 people
Strongest designs
14
0 pooled, 14 randomised
Populations Studied
General population2
Patients with joint diseases1
Humans and animals1
Agricultural crops1
Active research area
21 studies in the last 5 years
199320092026
1Systematic ReviewCited 61×n=29 · very small study2019
PROSPERO preregistered (CRD42018090502).
Heffernan SM et al. · Nutrients (2019)
Approximately 50% of athletes have reported consuming some form of micronutrient supplement; however, there is limited data confirming their efficacy for improving performance.
Only Iron and Magnesium included articles of sufficient quality to be assigned as 'strong'.
Currently, there is little evidence to support the use of MTE supplementation to improve physiological markers of athletic performance, with the possible exception of Iron (in particular, biological situations) and Magnesium as these currently have the strongest quality evidence.
2Metabolic regulation, neurobiology, and bone healthReview2026
Although Li-Si-B display compelling mechanistic potential, current human data are insufficient to justify dietary recommendations or supplementation.
Melenikioti E et al. · Nutrients (2026)
Although Li-Si-B display compelling mechanistic potential, current human data are insufficient to justify dietary recommendations or supplementation.
Considerable research gaps-including exposure assessment, dose-response characterization, toxicity thresholds, and controlled human trials-must be addressed before translation into public health policy.
We also discuss their potential application in the treatment of joint diseases.
Bryliński Ł et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2025)
We describe the molecular mechanisms that explain their interaction with chondrocytes, osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and synoviocytes, as well as their proliferation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix synthesis.
We also focus on the role of these trace elements in the pathogenesis of joint diseases: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
We describe the roles of increased or decreased concentrations of individual elements in the pathogenesis and development of joint diseases and their impact on inflammation and disease progression, referring to molecular mechanisms.
4Boron essentiality in microbiota symbiosisReview2022
This paper reviews the evidence supporting the essentiality of the NOB species in the symbiosis between the microbiota and the human/animal hosts, with the stated aim of highlighting the MoA and targets of these species.
Biţă A et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2022)
New insights into the key role of NOB species in the symbiosis between human/animal hosts and their microbiota will influence the use of natural B-based colon-targeting nutraceuticals.
The mechanism of action (MoA) of NOB species is related to the B signaling molecule (autoinducer-2-borate (AI-2B)) as well as the fortification of the colonic mucus gel layer with NOB species from B-rich prebiotic diets.
Both the microbiota and the colonic mucus gel layer can become NOB targets.
The roles of primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium), secondary nutrients (calcium, magnesium and sulphur), micronutrients (zinc, boron, iron and copper), and beneficial nutrients (cobalt, selenium and silicon) in alleviating abiotic stress in crop plants are discussed.
Kumari VV et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2022)
Abiotic stress during the reproductive stage results in flower drop, pollen sterility, pollen tube deformation, ovule abortion, and reduced yield.
Plant nutrition is one of the most effective ways of reducing abiotic stress in agricultural crops.
In this paper, we have discussed the effectiveness of different nutrients for alleviating abiotic stress.
Finally, three to four times per week of 30-40 min of aerobic and resistance exercises must be performed.
Rondanelli M et al. · Nutrients (2021)
Given this background, aim of this review is to evaluate the latest data regarding ideal dietary approach in order to reduce bone mineral density loss and to construct a food pyramid that allows osteopenia/osteoporosis patients to easily figure out what to eat.
Finally, three to four times per week of 30-40 min of aerobic and resistance exercises must be performed.
19Clinical and biochemical parameters in COVID-19RCTCited 19×n=19 · very small study2022
Supplementation with boron citrate alone or in combination with oleoylethanolamide could improve some clinical and biochemical parameters in COVID-19 patients.
Akbari N et al. · Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS) (2022)
Likely real
Supplementation with boron citrate alone or in combination with oleoylethanolamide significantly improved O2 saturation and respiratory rate (p < 0.01).
At the end of the study, significant increases in white blood cell and lymphocyte count were observed in the boron citrate and combined groups (p < 0.001).
Boron citrate supplementation led to a significant decrease in serum lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.026) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.014), compared with other groups.
We identify key knowledge gaps and experimental priorities (speciation-aware measurements, signal-centric readouts) necessary to determine when, where, and how B-mediated molecular architecture may counteract DYS and support healthspan.
Mogoşanu GD, Biţă A, Scorei IR, Pop MI, Dinu IR, Gheonea DI. · Life (Basel, Switzerland) (2026)
Central to this model is spatial bioavailability, distinguishing plasma-accessible boron from microbiota-accessible boron (MAB), species that persist in the lumen and mucus layer long enough to influence interface-level processes.
We propose that insufficient or altered MAB availability may contribute to dysbiosis (DYS) by destabilizing quorum-associated coordination, signal persistence, and mucosal microstructure, thereby promoting barrier dysfunction and inflammaging.
Particular attention is given to B-mediated symbiotaxis, a hypothesis-driven concept describing how B-containing molecular assemblies may bias microbial communities toward cooperative, barrier-supportive configurations and reduce ecological volatility.