For men, 10mg of boron supplementation per day has been shown to increase free (bioavailable) testosterone by 28%. Even better, estradiol was reduced by 39%. According to the authors of the study (Reza Naghii, PhD, a researcher at the University of Medical Sciences in Iran), boron had no “major” effect on hormone levels 6 hours after supplementation. There was, however, a significant reduction in sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), a protein that binds to testosterone in the blood. After one week, significant changes in hormone levels were evident. Testosterone increased, and estradiol decreased. The authors explained:

“The mean plasma FT [free testosterone] concentration increased significantly from 11.83±4.60 to 15.18 ±3.07 pg/ml [approx. 28%], and the mean plasma E2 [estradiol] concentration decreased significantly from 42.33 ±16.47 to 25.80±11.25 pg/ml [approx. 39%] after one week supplementation, while DHT [dihydrotestosterone], Cortisol and Vit. D showed a non significant, but higher level at weekly post supplementation period.”

Green and Ferrando, Dept. of Nutrition and Food Science, Auburn University, AL showed that Boron supplementation at 2.5mg per day had no significant effects on testosterone levels. However, 2.5mg is a very small amount. We believe that boron supplementation will raise testosterone, but correct dosage is the key to results.

According to the USDA, boron helps bones develop and grow normally. Boron is especially important when there is not enough vitamin D in the diet. Boron may also prevent arthritis in the elderly.

There was a study done by Kenney MA, McCoy JH, School of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas that suggests that boron works with magnesium and this may be one reason that it benefits persons with hyperthyroidism or persons with thyroid disease who are experiencing low magnesium symptoms such as rapid heart rate and muscle cramps. According to the study, boron both lessens the effects of a low magnesium diet but exacerbates deficiency symptoms. These seem to be the typical characteristics of when one nutrient works with another. Boron seems to be essential for magnesium metabolism and so administration of boron will lower magnesium levels because it is enabling more of the magnesium to be used by the body.

The typical american diet can supply around .5 to 1 mg per day of boron. Most of this comes from drinking coffee and milk, and can make up 12% of the total amount of boron intake. The other food items that have boron are peanuts, peanut butter, wine, raisins and prunes. If these food items are not part of your daily diet, then you might be deficient in boron. There is 10mg of boron in each daily serving of the Time Machine to counter this.