Did you know that there is a well-established link between boron supplementation and relief from arthritis...particularly in the knees? Few may think of boron for arthritis pain, yet there may be several reasons for this including a widespread anti-inflammatory effect provided by boron. (1)
A double blind, placebo controlled 2009 study in the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine indicated that 6mg per day of boron significantly improved symptoms of osteoarthritis, compared to placebo. (6) In another double-blind study of boron supplementation knee pain from arthritis was reduced in both sexes in as little as two weeks!(7)
Some may already be familiar with Boron's diverse roles for sex hormone production, or preventing osteoporosis, or its functions for mental alertness and brain function, or many others. (2,3,4) Yet, a study in healthy men showed that 10mg per day of supplemental boron not only reduced several markers of inflammation, but decreased sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), thereby increasing levels of free testosterone, which has a whole list of rejuvenating properties associated with it, including better mood and strength, better mental function, and better maintenance of bone and cartilage. (5)
Not only do the joints of people with arthritis contain much lower levels of boron, but epidemiological studies have shown the condition seldom occurs in population groups that have higher daily intakes, i.e. 3mg per day or more. (8)
Boron supplementation has also been shown to increase the effectiveness of glucosamine, and chondroitin supplements. (9) Yet, I would not hesitate to predict that these effects may be even more pronounced in those using collagen supplements, which I have found work far better than glucosamine, and/or chondroitin.
Read more: Natural Joint Pain Relief with Collagen.
Overall, I would say that the importance of boron as a vital nutrient for health and wellbeing has been dramatically under-appreciated.
John
References:
1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4297309/
2. http://imjournal.com/openaccess/pizzorno144.pdf
3. http://www.altmedrev.com/publications/9/4/434.pdf
4. http://pubag.nal.usda.gov/pubag/downloadPDF.xhtml?id=45227&content=PDF
5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21129941
6. Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 1(2):127-132
7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24940052
8. http://www.humanclinicals.org/boron-1/
9. http://www.jarcp.com/all-issues.html?article=242
