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Boron Side Effects & Safety

Evidence:Emerging
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary — consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Safety Profile

Overall safety rating: Generally Safe

Potential Side Effects

  • Generally very well-tolerated at 3-10mg daily
  • Nausea and diarrhea (uncommon, usually at higher doses)
  • Upper GI discomfort (rare)
  • Toxicity with massive doses (>100mg) — vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash

Drug & Supplement Interactions

  • May enhance the effects of estrogen therapy — use caution with HRT
  • May interact with medications metabolized by the liver
  • Enhances magnesium and calcium retention — beneficial synergy with these supplements

Maximum Dose

Do not exceed: 20mg/day (NIH UL); doses up to 10mg daily are well-tolerated in studies

Full Boron Guide

References

  1. RCTNaghii MR, Mofid M, Asgari AR, Hedayati M, Daneshpour MS (2011). Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokines. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology. DOI PubMed
  2. Pietrzkowski Z, Phelan MJ, Keller R, Shu C, Argumedo R, Reyes-Izquierdo T (2014). Short-term efficacy of calcium fructoborate on subjects with knee discomfort: a comparative, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Clinical Interventions in Aging. DOI PubMed
  3. RCTNielsen FH, Hunt CD, Mullen LM, Hunt JR (1987). Effect of dietary boron on mineral, estrogen, and testosterone metabolism in postmenopausal women. FASEB Journal. DOI PubMed
  4. Sun X, Liu Y, Xue Z, Cheng B, et al. (2026). Efficacy and safety of boron neutron capture therapy for locally recurrent head and neck cancer.. Critical reviews in oncology/hematology. DOI PubMed
  5. Meta-analysisFarrin N, Rezazadeh L, Pourmoradian S, Attari VE, et al. (2022). Boron compound administration; A novel agent in weight management: A systematic review and meta- analysis of animal studies.. Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS). DOI PubMed
  6. Mao H, Li J, Huang C, Li Z, et al. (2025). Unveiling Cellular Responses and Underlying Immune Effects Induced by Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.. International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics. DOI PubMed
  7. Younous K, El Kafhali M, Bouadel I, Biyi A, et al. (2024). Efficacy and safety of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy: a systematic review.. International journal of radiation biology. DOI PubMed
Show 3 more references
  1. Cong Y, Abulimiti M, Matsumoto Y, Jin J (2024). Current research trends and hotspots of boron neutron capture therapy: a bibliometric and visualization analysis.. Frontiers in oncology. DOI PubMed
  2. Vousoughi G, Soleimanzadeh H, Radkhah N, Asghari Jafarabadi M, et al. (2025). The Effect of Boron Supplementation on Kidney Stones in Patients With Nephrolithiasis: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.. Food science & nutrition. DOI PubMed
  3. RCTJalali S, Borumandnia N, Basiri A, Nagiee M, et al. (2023). A Comparison of Boron Supplement and Tamsulosin as Medical Expulsive Therapy for Urinary Stones After Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.. Biological trace element research. DOI PubMed