Boron: Small Mineral, Big Benefits

Happy Monday 8%ers!

Ah, boron. The name may conjure images of a Marvel supervillain (or a minor sidekick, let’s be honest), but this mineral is no joke. Despite its impressive track record in health benefits, boron hasn’t yet secured a seat at the prestigious “essential minerals” table. Why? That’s exactly what we’re digging into this week. Boron is really important and it's about time that we give this mineral the recognition that it deserves.

So take your seat and let’s start with the icebreaker for this topic, why isn’t Boron classified as an essential mineral? Let’s get into it.

The Essential, Non-Essential Mineral:

To earn the “essential” badge, a mineral must meet three lofty requirements: scientists need to pinpoint exactly how much you need, exactly what it does, and exactly why you get sick when you don’t have enough. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. The human body is an absurdly complex machine where everything is connected, and isolating one mineral’s precise role can feel like playing Jenga with a skyscraper.

Our bodies are the most complex machines known to man, it is unfathomable how complicated we can be. This is because literally everything is interconnected. Don’t believe me? Watch: A low magnesium diet paired with a ultra processed diet and low physical activity is the perfect storm for insulin resistance, which if not addressed could very well end up becoming Type 2 diabetes. However, since the symptoms develop veeeery slowly it could be years before you discover and treat it. In that time you will have had long periods of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). This causes an increase in oxidative stress and a depletion of NADPH which is needed both to reduce that stress but also to activate an enzyme called DHCR7. This enzyme is required to turn cholesterol in the skin into 7-DHC, the natural precursor to vitamin or hormone D. What happens if you can't get enough of the precursor? Chances are you will probably be significantly deficient, and most healthcare professionals recommend sunbathing for 15-20 mins a day just won’t work because your body cannot produce enough precursor. 

Translation: No magnesium → No enzyme → No vitamin D → Bad for health. This domino effect is a reminder that the body works as a whole, not in isolated parts.

What does Boron do in the Body?

There are a multitude of body functions in which boron is directly implicated in. Here is the main rundown of why you shouldn’t miss this mineral in your micronutrient must-haves. 

1. Wound Healing Extraordinaire

   Since the 1990s, boron has been a star player in ICU wound care. Why? It speeds up healing by as much as two-thirds. That’s not just impressive; that’s life saving science in action.

2. Hormone Booster

   Boron doesn’t just keep bones happy; it’s also great for your hormones. Studies show it increases testosterone in men and estradiol in women. The numbers don’t lie: one study saw women’s estradiol levels rise by up to 41.4 pg/ml, while men experienced a testosterone boost from 11.83 to 15.18 pg/ml. Gym bros, take note, boron’s got your back.

3. Vitamin D’s Sidekick

   Vitamin D deficiency is practically an epidemic, with over 90% of people falling short. Enter boron: a Serbian study found that supplementing 6 mg of boron daily increased vitamin D levels by an impressive 20%. How? Boron extends vitamin D’s half-life, ensuring it sticks around longer to do its job.

4. Potential Cancer Fighter

   This is correlational, but populations that have boron rich diets have lower risks of several types of cancers like prostate, breast, cervical, and lung cancer. This may be due to the fact that boron compounds interfere with the function and reproduction of cancer cells like inhibition of serine proteases, mRNA splicing and cell division, etc.

Enough said, where do we get some of this awesome mineral? Well take a look at the table below for some of the best sources out there:

Did You Know That OmniBlue Original is Loaded in Boron?

You probably know OmniBlue Original for its magnesium-rich formula, but here’s a lesser-known perk: every serving delivers over 2 mg of boron! That’s in addition to 70+ other naturally occurring trace minerals. Boron has also been shown to improve the absorption of other minerals like magnesium which speaks to why our ocean minerals refer to such superior absorption and bioavailability when compared to other mineral products that are out there. 

Final Thoughts

Boron may not have an official “essential” title, but its benefits speak for themselves. From stronger bones to better hormones, faster wound healing, and even a possible role in cancer prevention, this mineral deserves its moment in the spotlight.

OmniBlue’s ocean minerals deliver boron naturally, giving your body the tools it needs to thrive. So, while the world waits for boron to get its official recognition, you’ll be ahead of the curve, already reaping the rewards.

As they say, “Not all heroes wear capes.” Some come in mineral form.

Stay mineralized, and until next week!