The 5 Best Boron Supplements

Boron supplements aren’t necessary for everyone, but they may be helpful for certain people, like those with low boron intake and people with bone-related health conditions.

Author:
Jillian Kubala, RD
Updated:
Jan 4, 2024

The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. Sports Illustrated editorial staff are not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here.

Boron is a trace mineral, meaning your body needs it in small amounts. Though the clear biological role of boron is not well understood, it’s believed that boron is involved in reproduction, bone formation, immune function and other essential processes in the body. Though boron deficiency is uncommon in humans, taking boron supplements may also help reduce menstrual pain, promote healthy hormone levels and benefit those with bone-related conditions, like osteoarthritis.

Different from the boron you’d find in boric acid or Borax, dietary boron is naturally present in a number of foods, such as avocados, prunes and legumes, and it can also be taken as a dietary supplement. Boron supplements may benefit certain health conditions and may help reduce inflammatory markers, menstrual cramps and blood lipid levels.

This article lists five of the best boron supplements I’m aware of as a registered dietitian, covers the potential health benefits and risks of taking boron supplements and my tips to help you pick the right boron supplement for your specific health needs.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Our Picks for the Best Boron Supplements in 2024:

Transparent Labs Vitality Testosterone Optimization

Key features & specs

Key ingredients: Zinc, ashwagandha, shilajit, quercetin, diindolylmethane (DIIM), LJ100, Bioperine, boron
Certifications: cGMP
Best for: Men looking to enhance testosterone production, men who want to support fertility
Price per serving: $1.83

Transparent Labs Vitality Testosterone Optimization contains ingredients that may help promote healthy testosterone levels, including boron.

Some evidence suggests that boron supplements may help increase some markers for testosterone in the body, but the evidence is far from conclusive. A small 2011 study that included eight men found that one week of boron supplementation of six milligrams (mg) per day led to a significant increase in free testosterone and significant decreases in estradiol, a form of estrogen. Though these results are promising, other studies investigating the effects of boron supplements on testosterone levels have found no benefit.

In addition to boron, Transparent Labs Vitality Testosterone Optimization contains other ingredients like zinc, ashwagandha and shilajit, all of which have been shown to support healthy testosterone levels and fertility.

Shilajit is a substance secreted by rocks in certain mountain ranges around the world, including the Himalayas. Shilajit is high in fulvic acid, a naturally occurring substance that’s formed through geochemical and biological reactions. Some research findings suggest that shilajit supplements could increase levels of total testosterone, free testosterone and the male sex hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS) compared with placebo treatments.

Ingredients like zinc and ashwagandha may help support healthy testosterone levels and promote fertility by increasing sperm quality and sperm count. This suggests that supplementing with Transparent Labs Vitality Testosterone Optimization may be a good option for men with infertility and those with low testosterone.

Transparent Labs produces high-quality dietary supplements and provides certificates of analysis (COAs) for all of its products, which are conducted by third-party laboratories. COAs confirm that a product has been tested for quality and purity and meets specific standards.

Customer reviews on the Transparent Labs website are mostly positive, with a 4.6/5-star average from more than 165 reviews. Customers comment that the supplement has helped with their energy levels, physical performance and strength.

What we like:

COA available
Contains evidence-based ingredients
Positive customer reviews

What to consider:

Expensive
Unclear if boron supplements improve testosterone levels

Thorne Research Trace Minerals

Key features & specs

Key Ingredients: Zinc, selenium, chromium, manganese and boron
Certifications: cGMP, TGA “A” rating, certified gluten-free
Best for: People who need extra nutrient support, those who follow restrictive diets
Price per serving: $.20

Compared to macrominerals, such as calcium and magnesium, your body needs smaller amounts of trace minerals, like boron and selenium. However, trace minerals are still vital to health. Some people, such as those following restricted diets and those who need extra nutrition support, could benefit from taking a supplement that provides a variety of trace minerals.

Thorne Research Trace Minerals contains zinc, selenium, chromium, manganese and boron, all of which play important roles in health. For example, zinc is needed for immune function, development and cellular signaling, while selenium is involved in reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism and DNA synthesis. Boron is known to be involved in reproduction, bone health, brain and immune function and other important processes.

In addition to following a healthy diet, taking a well-rounded trace mineral supplement, like Thorne Trace Minerals, can help you meet your nutrient needs to support optimal health.

Thorne is one of the top recommended supplement brands by healthcare providers and is trusted by nutrition experts. Thorne’s production facility is certified by NSF International, an organization that independently tests supplements for quality and potency and inspects manufacturing facilities. What’s more, Thorne was given an “A” rating from the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA). TGA is a regulatory agency run by the Australian Department of Health that sets strict requirements for supplement manufacturing. Thorne also conducts three rounds of in-house laboratory testing on each product to ensure quality and purity.

On Amazon, 81 percent of 429 reviews rated Thorne Research Trace Minerals at five stars. Reviewers mention that the capsules are small and easy to swallow and that taking the supplements has helped improve their sleep, mood and more. However, some of the reviews report that the supplement has an unpleasant smell and aftertaste.

What we like:

“A” rating from TGA
Bioavailable minerals
Certified by NSF
Affordable

What to consider:

Some reviews report an off taste and smell

NOW Foods Boron

Key features & specs

Key ingredients: Boron as Albion™ Bororganic Glycine
Certifications: Non-GMO, vegan
Best for: People who need a boron-only supplement, those on a budget
Price per serving: $.05

Though most people get enough boron through their diet, some people may benefit from taking a boron supplement.

For example, studies show that boron supplements may benefit bone health and may be worthwhile for those with low bone mineral density and bone-related health issues like osteoarthritis. Low boron intake may negatively impact levels of other nutrients essential to bone health, such as calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.

Additionally, boron supplements have been shown to benefit specific health conditions and symptoms, such as menstrual cramps.

A 2015 study of 113 college students found that those who supplemented with 10 milligrams of boron per day from two days before their period until the third day of their period experienced significant reductions in severity and duration of period pain. The researchers attributed these findings to boron's anti-inflammatory effects.

For those who need a boron-only supplement, Now Foods Boron is an excellent choice. It contains three milligrams of boron in the form of bororganic glycine, which is a glycine-bound form of boron that’s commonly used in dietary supplements.

NOW Foods offers a variety of dietary supplements and other high-quality nutrition products. It’s one of the most popular supplement brands in the US and NOW Foods products can be found online as well as in most grocery stores and pharmacies. NOW Foods exceeds the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) for the dietary supplement industry and is certified non-GMO.

Customer reviews on Amazon are mostly positive, with a 4.6/5-star average from 3,777 reviews. Some comments mention that the supplement is effective for improving energy and pain levels.

What we like:

Affordable
May benefit bone health
Easy to find in stores
Vegan-friendly

What to consider:

May not be necessary for everyone

Life Extension Bone Restore

Key features & specs

Key ingredients: Vitamin D, K2, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, silicon and boron
Certifications: Non-GMO, gluten-free
Best for: People with low bone density, people with bone-related health conditions
Price per serving: $.60

Boron is one of the many nutrients your body needs in order to build and maintain a healthy skeletal system. Boron and other trace minerals, like magnesium, are necessary for normal development of bones and joints. Boron also promotes bone health by enhancing the absorption of minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.

Studies show that boron can help inhibit inflammatory response and reduce inflammatory proteins, which may help improve the pain associated with bone-related conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Life Extension Bone Restore provides boron plus seven other nutrients critical for bone health, including vitamin D, calcium and magnesium in easy-to-swallow vegetarian capsules.

Vitamin D is needed for the absorption of calcium, the major component of bones, and bone mineralization. Having low or deficient levels of vitamin D can negatively impact bone health and lead to low bone mineral density and osteoporosis if left untreated.

For people with low bone mineral density and those who have bone-related health conditions like osteoarthritis, taking a comprehensive supplement that provides a variety of nutrients needed for the maintenance of healthy bones and joints is a smart choice. This Life Extension boron supplement may also be helpful for people who follow diets low in calcium, such as vegans.

Life Extension is GMP certified and all of its finished products are verified using testing methods, including high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, to ensure its products meet standards for quality and potency.

On the company’s website, Life Extension Bone Restore has 250 customer reviews with an average rating of 4.9/five stars. Customers report that the supplement is gentle on the stomach and that taking it has helped increase their bone mineral density and improved their bone strength.

What we like:

Comprehensive and provides a variety of nutrients essential to bone health
Affordable
May improve bone density

What to consider:

Used less bioavailable forms of certain nutrients, such as magnesium oxide

Nature’s Way Boron Complex

Key features & specs

Key ingredients: Boron as aspartate
Certifications: cGMP
Best for: People who need extra boron in their diet, those looking for an affordable boron supplement
Price per serving: $.09

For people who are looking for an affordable, boron-only supplement to add to their routine, Nature’s Way Boron Complex is a good choice. The supplement contains boron as boron aspartate, a common form of boron used in dietary supplements.

A boron supplement may be appropriate for people who need extra nutrition support to maintain healthy bones, those who have painful menstrual cycles, men with low testosterone and people with certain health conditions, such as osteoarthritis.

Nature’s Way is a popular supplement brand that manufactures high-quality, affordable dietary supplements that are commonly sold in grocery stores and pharmacies, which is convenient for those who don’t like to shop online.

Nature’s Way performs in-house testing on all raw materials and finished products in its onsite lab. On Amazon, 74 percent of 919 reviews rated Nature’s Way Boron Complex at five stars. Reviewers mention that taking the supplement has helped improve their testosterone levels, joint pain and other aspects of health.

What we like:

Affordable
May help improve testosterone levels, bone health and more
Easy to find in stores

What to consider:

Not third-party tested

What is Boron?

Boron is a trace mineral that the body needs in smaller amounts compared to macrominerals like magnesium. Though boron is thought to play several roles in health, it’s not considered an essential nutrient as its function in the body isn’t fully understood.

That said, boron is thought to benefit bone health, brain function, calcium metabolism, immune function and steroid hormone function, and support reproduction and development.

Because it’s not considered an essential nutrient, the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine has not set a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), Adequate Intake (AI) or Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for boron. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that an “acceptable safe range” of daily boron intakes for adults ranges from one to 13 milligrams.

Most boron supplements provide between three and ten milligrams of boron, which is much less than the upper range of that estimation.

Boron Uses

Boron is involved in several processes within the body, but it’s best known for its role in bone health. Boron is involved in the growth and maintenance of bone tissue, and it also helps maintain healthy levels of nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium.

Boron enhances the absorption of minerals essential to bone health, such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. It also helps the body retain calcium and magnesium and prevents the loss of these nutrients through the urine.

What’s more, boron also has anti-inflammatory effects in the body and may help reduce inflammatory proteins and enhance the body’s natural antioxidant defenses.

Boron supplements are sometimes taken by those who want to support bone health, including people with low bone-mineral density and people with osteoarthritis. Boron may also help support healthy immune function, increase levels of steroid hormones like testosterone and benefit other aspects of health.

Boron Supplement Benefits

Boron supplements may offer a few health benefits, though research in humans is limited.

Human studies suggest that boron supplements may improve bone density, reduce menstrual cramps and support healthy testosterone levels.

Boron supplements are commonly taken by those who want to increase testosterone levels, strength and physical performance. Some studies have shown that boron supplements may have a positive effect on testosterone levels, but research findings are conflicting.

A small 2011 study that included eight men found that one week of boron supplementation of six milligrams (mg) per day led to a significant increase in free testosterone and significant decreases in estradiol, a form of estrogen. However, other studies investigating the effects of boron supplements on testosterone levels have found no benefit, and more research is needed to fully understand how boron impacts hormone levels.

Boron supplements may also help reduce inflammatory markers, improve bone density and joint health and help women manage painful menstrual cramps. The anti-inflammatory actions of boron may especially benefit those with bone and joint conditions. A 2014 study that included 60 people with knee pain found that those who were supplemented with 100 milligrams of boron in the form of calcium fructoborate (CFB) twice per day for two weeks helped reduce self-reported knee pain, which was attributed to boron’s anti-inflammatory effects.

Though boron supplements have been linked with a few benefits, most people get plenty of boron from their diet and most people don’t require extra boron from dietary supplements. Boron is found in a variety of foods, including fruits, beans and vegetables. Because boron is only needed in trace amounts and is found in many foods, boron deficiency is rare.

Boron Side Effects

Boron is generally considered safe and isn’t associated with many side effects. The Food and Nutrition Board has established a Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for boron of 20 milligrams per day for people 19 and older. A UL is the maximum daily intake of a nutrient unlikely to cause harm.

Most supplements provide between three milligrams and 10 milligrams of boron, which is well below this limit.

That said, consuming very large doses of boron is dangerous and can even be fatal. Accidental consumption of large amounts of boron can lead to boron toxicity, which can cause symptoms like headache, hypothermia, weariness, restlessness, kidney injury, dermatitis, hair loss, loss of appetite and digestive upset. In babies, high doses of boron can cause anemia, seizures, reddening of the skin and thinning hair. Ingestion of boron in doses between 15,000 to 20,000 milligrams can be fatal to adults.

How to Choose the Best Boron Supplement for You

Whenever possible, it’s best to purchase high-quality boron supplements from companies that hire independent third-party laboratories to test its supplements for safety, purity and quality. When shopping for a boron supplement, look for brands that are certified by third-party organizations like UL, USP and NSF International, which helps ensure supplement safety and quality.

It’s also important to choose a form of boron that you can tolerate. Boron supplements, including boron-only products and multi-nutrient products, are available in liquid and chewable form, which is a good choice for people who can’t tolerate swallowing pills.

If you have sensitivities or allergies, you’ll want to purchase a boron supplement that’s free from common allergens like gluten, gluten, dairy and tree nuts.

Also, while some people may benefit from a boron-only supplement, those who are looking to support specific aspects of health, such as skeletal health, may want to choose a supplement that provides boron and other nutrients, like vitamin D and calcium.

What to Avoid in a Boron Supplement

Because boron is only needed in small amounts, it’s best to avoid high-dose boron supplements unless higher-dose supplements are specifically recommended by a healthcare provider.

Taking large doses of boron isn’t necessary for most people and can be harmful if too much boron is interested.

Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Boron Supplements

We picked boron supplements that include bioavailable forms of nutrients and are free from unnecessary ingredients like fillers, common allergens and preservatives.

We included supplements from companies that adhere to strict quality and safety standards. Some of the products on this list have been third-party tested to ensure quality and safety and several companies offer COAs for its boron supplements.

We also prioritized boron supplements with mostly positive customer reviews and left out products that failed to meet customer expectations or had safety concerns.

Lastly, we included boron supplements at different price points so that you can choose a high-quality product that fits into your budget.

Learn more about our nutrition and supplement review process.

Best Boron Supplements FAQs

What form of boron is best absorbed by the body?

Research on the bioavailability of boron supplements is limited, but most dietary supplements contain forms of boron, including sodium borate, boron ascorbate, sodium tetraborate, boron amino acid chelate, boron gluconate, boron aspartate, boron citrate, boron glycinate, calcium fructoborate and boron picolinate, all of which are well-tolerated.

What is a safe amount of boron to take daily?

The WHO has estimated that an “acceptable safe range” of daily boron intakes for adults is between one to 13 milligrams. Most boron supplements provide between three and ten milligrams of boron per serving. Adults should not exceed 20 milligrams of boron per day.

Is boron hard on the liver?

When taken in safe doses, boron has no negative impact on liver health. However, ingesting large amounts of boron can damage the intestines, liver, kidney and brain.

Do you need to cycle boron?

Most studies investigating the effects of boron have used a single dose or divided daily doses. There’s no clinical evidence that cycling boron has any benefit to health.

Does boron work immediately?

Boron is well-absorbed by the body and studies show that supplementation with boron can increase levels of boron in the blood within one hour of ingestion.

Takeaway: Is a Boron Supplement Worth It?

Since boron is a trace mineral that’s found in a variety of commonly consumed foods, like fruits and beans, supplementation isn’t always necessary.

Most people take in adequate amounts of boron from their diet. That said, some research suggests that boron supplements may benefit bone health, reduce period and joint pain and increase testosterone levels.

If you’re interested in taking a boron supplement, your healthcare provider can recommend an appropriate dose and assist you in picking out a high-quality boron supplement that’s appropriate for your specific health needs.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.