Supplement

Boron

Boron is a trace mineral found in plants and water that helps the body handle calcium and vitamin D, which bones and joints rely on. People mostly look at it for rheumatoid arthritis, and the evidence is limited: three small trials found levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, went down. Those studies included only about 80 people, and some tested boron alongside a standard arthritis drug, so the findings are early.

Sources: PMID 25433580; PMID 28163961

Updated 30 September 2026
How we grade
11 studies cited

Best evidence: Grade B
Conditions studied: 16
Outcomes: 80
Graded outcomes: 01107

Evidence by condition

Strong
Moderate
Limited
Very limited

16 conditions

Immune Health

Immune Health: outcomes studied for Boron
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Moderate Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	3 studies	178 people
Studies that measured c-reactive protein (crp) The adjuvant use of calcium fructoborate and borax with etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Pilot studyJ Intercult Ethnopharmacol · PMID 28163961 Effects of Calcium Fructoborate on Levels of C-Reactive Protein, Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein, Triglycerides, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1: a Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical StudyBiol Trace Elem Res · PMID 25433580 Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokinesJ Trace Elem Med Biol · PMID 21129941
	Blood glucose No effect		NoneNo effect		90 people
	Estrogen	Changes; see studies		1 study	8 people
Studies that measured estrogen Effect of dietary boron on mineral, estrogen, and testosterone metabolism in postmenopausal womenFASEB J · PMID 3678698
	Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	8 people
Studies that measured testosterone Plasma boron and the effects of boron supplementation in malesEnviron Health Perspect · PMID 7889885
	Triglycerides	Changes; see studies		1 study	90 people
Studies that measured triglycerides Oral resveratrol and calcium fructoborate supplementation in subjects with stable angina pectoris: effects on lipid profiles, inflammation markers, and quality of lifeNutrition · PMID 23153742
	Cortisol	Changes; see studies			8 people
	DHT	Improves (the measure goes up)			8 people
	Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate	Changes; see studies			80 people
	Free Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)			8 people
	High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)			90 people
	Inflammation	Changes; see studies			8 people
	Interleukin 1-alpha	Improves (the measure goes up)			80 people
	Interleukin 1-beta	Changes; see studies			90 people
	Interleukin 6	Changes; see studies			170 people
	Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Changes; see studies			90 people
	Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1	Improves (the measure goes up)			90 people
	Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms	Changes; see studies			80 people
	TNF-Alpha	Changes; see studies			80 people

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis (OA): outcomes studied for Boron
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Moderate Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	3 studies	72 people
Studies that measured c-reactive protein (crp) The adjuvant use of calcium fructoborate and borax with etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Pilot studyJ Intercult Ethnopharmacol · PMID 28163961 Effects of Calcium Fructoborate on Levels of C-Reactive Protein, Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein, Triglycerides, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1: a Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical StudyBiol Trace Elem Res · PMID 25433580 Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokinesJ Trace Elem Med Biol · PMID 21129941
	Total cholesterol	Changes; see studies		1 study	72 people
Studies that measured total cholesterol A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study to evaluate the effect of calcium fructoborate on systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia markers for middle-aged people with primary osteoarthritisBiol Trace Elem Res · PMID 21607703
	Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate	Changes; see studies			72 people
	Fibrinogen	Improves (the measure goes up)			72 people
	High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)			72 people
	Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Changes; see studies			72 people

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

C-Reactive Protein (CRP): improves
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate: changes; see studies
Interleukin 1-alpha: improves

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): outcomes studied for Boron
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Moderate Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	3 studies	80 people
Studies that measured c-reactive protein (crp) The adjuvant use of calcium fructoborate and borax with etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Pilot studyJ Intercult Ethnopharmacol · PMID 28163961 Effects of Calcium Fructoborate on Levels of C-Reactive Protein, Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein, Triglycerides, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1: a Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical StudyBiol Trace Elem Res · PMID 25433580 Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokinesJ Trace Elem Med Biol · PMID 21129941
	Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate	Changes; see studies			80 people
	Interleukin 1-alpha	Improves (the measure goes up)			80 people
	Interleukin 6	Changes; see studies			80 people
	Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms	Changes; see studies			80 people
	TNF-Alpha	Changes; see studies			80 people

Cardiovascular Disease

C-Reactive Protein (CRP): improves
Total cholesterol: changes; see studies
Triglycerides: changes; see studies

Cardiovascular Disease: outcomes studied for Boron
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Moderate Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	3 studies	116 people
Studies that measured c-reactive protein (crp) The adjuvant use of calcium fructoborate and borax with etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Pilot studyJ Intercult Ethnopharmacol · PMID 28163961 Effects of Calcium Fructoborate on Levels of C-Reactive Protein, Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein, Triglycerides, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1: a Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical StudyBiol Trace Elem Res · PMID 25433580 Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokinesJ Trace Elem Med Biol · PMID 21129941
	Total cholesterol	Changes; see studies		1 study	116 people
Studies that measured total cholesterol A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study to evaluate the effect of calcium fructoborate on systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia markers for middle-aged people with primary osteoarthritisBiol Trace Elem Res · PMID 21607703
	Triglycerides	Changes; see studies		1 study	116 people
Studies that measured triglycerides Oral resveratrol and calcium fructoborate supplementation in subjects with stable angina pectoris: effects on lipid profiles, inflammation markers, and quality of lifeNutrition · PMID 23153742
	High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)			116 people
	Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Changes; see studies			116 people
	N-terminal Prohormone of Brain Natriuretic Peptide	Improves (the measure goes up)			116 people

Metabolic Health

C-Reactive Protein (CRP): improves

Metabolic Health: outcomes studied for Boron
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Moderate Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	3 studies	8 people
Studies that measured c-reactive protein (crp) The adjuvant use of calcium fructoborate and borax with etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Pilot studyJ Intercult Ethnopharmacol · PMID 28163961 Effects of Calcium Fructoborate on Levels of C-Reactive Protein, Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein, Triglycerides, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1: a Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical StudyBiol Trace Elem Res · PMID 25433580 Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokinesJ Trace Elem Med Biol · PMID 21129941

Menopause

Estrogen
Testosterone: improves
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone: improves

Menopause: outcomes studied for Boron
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Studies	People
	Estrogen Mixed effect		1 study	59 people
Studies that measured estrogen Effect of dietary boron on mineral, estrogen, and testosterone metabolism in postmenopausal womenFASEB J · PMID 3678698
	Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)	1 study	13 people
Studies that measured testosterone Plasma boron and the effects of boron supplementation in malesEnviron Health Perspect · PMID 7889885
	Follicle-Stimulating Hormone	Improves (the measure goes up)		46 people
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies		46 people
	Serum T3	Improves (the measure goes up)		46 people
	Serum T4	Improves (the measure goes up)		46 people
	Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone	Improves (the measure goes up)		46 people
	White Blood Cell Count	Improves (the measure goes up)		46 people

Low Testosterone

Estrogen
Testosterone: improves

Low Testosterone: outcomes studied for Boron
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Studies	People
	Estrogen Mixed effect		1 study	13 people
Studies that measured estrogen Effect of dietary boron on mineral, estrogen, and testosterone metabolism in postmenopausal womenFASEB J · PMID 3678698
	Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)	1 study	13 people
Studies that measured testosterone Plasma boron and the effects of boron supplementation in malesEnviron Health Perspect · PMID 7889885

Primary Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual Cramps)

Dysmenorrhea Symptoms: improves
PMS Symptoms: changes; see studies

Primary Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual Cramps): outcomes studied for Boron
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Dysmenorrhea Symptoms Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	1 study	118 people
Studies that measured dysmenorrhea symptoms Effects of boron supplementation on the severity and duration of pain in primary dysmenorrheaComplement Ther Clin Pract · PMID 25906949
	PMS Symptoms	Changes; see studies			118 people

Acute Nonspecific Knee Pain

Pain: improves
Range of Motion: improves

Acute Nonspecific Knee Pain: outcomes studied for Boron
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Pain Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	1 study	60 people
Studies that measured pain Short-term efficacy of calcium fructoborate on subjects with knee discomfort: a comparative, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studyClin Interv Aging · PMID 24940052
	Range of Motion Moderate Increase	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect		60 people

Kidney Stones

Kidney Stone Symptoms: improves

Kidney Stones: outcomes studied for Boron
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Kidney Stone Symptoms Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	1 study	14 people
Studies that measured kidney stone symptoms Preliminary evidence hints at a protective role for boron in urolithiasisJ Altern Complement Med · PMID 22385047

Body Composition

Body Fat
Testosterone: improves
Free Testosterone: improves

Body Composition: outcomes studied for Boron
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Body Fat No effect		NoneNo effect		19 people
	Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	19 people
Studies that measured testosterone Plasma boron and the effects of boron supplementation in malesEnviron Health Perspect · PMID 7889885
	Free Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)			19 people
	Muscle Mass	Improves (the measure goes up)			19 people
	Strength	Improves (the measure goes up)			19 people

Bone Health

Serum Calcium
Serum Magnesium: improves

Bone Health: outcomes studied for Boron
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Serum Calcium No effect		NoneNo effect		28 people
	Serum Magnesium	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	28 people
Studies that measured serum magnesium Effect of boron supplementation on blood and urinary calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and urinary boron in athletic and sedentary womenAm J Clin Nutr · PMID 7840072

Dyslipidemia

Blood glucose
C-Reactive Protein (CRP): changes; see studies
Total cholesterol: changes; see studies

Dyslipidemia: outcomes studied for Boron
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Blood glucose No effect		NoneNo effect		90 people
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)	Changes; see studies		3 studies	90 people
Total cholesterol	Changes; see studies		1 study	90 people
Triglycerides	Changes; see studies		1 study	90 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)			90 people
Homocysteine	Changes; see studies			90 people
Interleukin 1-beta	Changes; see studies			90 people
Interleukin 6	Changes; see studies			90 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Changes; see studies			90 people
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1	Improves (the measure goes up)			90 people

Muscle Size Strength

Body Fat

Muscle Size Strength: outcomes studied for Boron
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Body Fat No effect		NoneNo effect		19 people

General Athletic Performance

Body Fat
Testosterone: improves
Free Testosterone: improves

General Athletic Performance: outcomes studied for Boron
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Body Fat No effect		NoneNo effect		19 people
Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	19 people
Free Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)			19 people
Muscle Mass	Improves (the measure goes up)			19 people
Strength	Improves (the measure goes up)			19 people

Muscle Size & Strength

Body Fat
Testosterone: improves
Free Testosterone: improves

Muscle Size & Strength: outcomes studied for Boron
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Body Fat No effect		NoneNo effect		19 people
Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	19 people
Free Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)			19 people
Muscle Mass	Improves (the measure goes up)			19 people
Strength	Improves (the measure goes up)			19 people

Key findings

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Immune HealthImproves (the measure goes down)
EstrogenMenopause
Dysmenorrhea SymptomsPrimary Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual Cramps)Improves (the measure goes down)

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Third-party tested Boron products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.

Grade B

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Studies cited

11 studies from PubMed

The adjuvant use of calcium fructoborate and borax with etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Pilot studyJ Intercult Ethnopharmacol · PMID 28163961
Effects of Calcium Fructoborate on Levels of C-Reactive Protein, Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein, Triglycerides, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1: a Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical StudyBiol Trace Elem Res · PMID 25433580
Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokinesJ Trace Elem Med Biol · PMID 21129941
Effects of boron supplementation on the severity and duration of pain in primary dysmenorrheaComplement Ther Clin Pract · PMID 25906949
Plasma boron and the effects of boron supplementation in malesEnviron Health Perspect · PMID 7889885
Effect of dietary boron on mineral, estrogen, and testosterone metabolism in postmenopausal womenFASEB J · PMID 3678698
Preliminary evidence hints at a protective role for boron in urolithiasisJ Altern Complement Med · PMID 22385047
A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study to evaluate the effect of calcium fructoborate on systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia markers for middle-aged people with primary osteoarthritisBiol Trace Elem Res · PMID 21607703
Effect of boron supplementation on blood and urinary calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and urinary boron in athletic and sedentary womenAm J Clin Nutr · PMID 7840072
Oral resveratrol and calcium fructoborate supplementation in subjects with stable angina pectoris: effects on lipid profiles, inflammation markers, and quality of lifeNutrition · PMID 23153742
Short-term efficacy of calcium fructoborate on subjects with knee discomfort: a comparative, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studyClin Interv Aging · PMID 24940052

Evidence by condition

Muscle Size Strength

Key findings

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Studies cited

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