I surveyed the choices and the evidence for them here:
Alleviating Arthritis - Comparing Supplements
I surveyed the choices and the evidence for them here:
Alleviating Arthritis - Comparing Supplements
Hi PB,
Boron is interesting. It probably inhibits the proteasome; proteasome inhibitors (e.g., Bortezomib) are used / have been proposed for osteoarthritis, multiple myeloma, and rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Boron may also be an NLRP3 inhibitor.
Unity Biotech's senescent cell clearing (senolytic) agent UBX0101 for knee osteoarthritis failed in Phase II. Proteasome activity is downregulated in senescent
cells. Hmmm ...
Proteasome activation has been suggested as treatment for neurodegenerative diseases and in theory its inhibition could promote neurodegeneration. Bortezomib is thought to be safe since it doesn't cross the BBB. There is a case series of cancer patients receiving radiation therapy using a BBB penetrating boron compound that suggested it may be neurotoxic. I have not seen anything linking boron consumption (normal levels) with increased risk of neurodegeneration, however.
I have links to videos on the proteasome with some notes here:
rhyobrain.blogspot.com/2021...
Sodium tertaborate (Borax) at high doses was found to have reproductive toxicity to males, that's why Borax has been banned in Europe, which is a shame since I find it is the best cleaning product and seems quite safe if used sensibly. It controls mold very well and I usually have a decrease in my 'allergy' symptoms after bathroom cleaning day. I don't think young kids should play with 'slime' however; 'slime' is made by mixing white glue with Borax.
There is reason to think boron is good for bones. Unfortunately there has been very little work done since Newnham:
Newnham R. Essentiality of boron for healthy bones and joints. Environ Health Perspect 1994; 102S(S7): 83-95S.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
More detail by me on boron alleviating arthritis here:
Here is a thesis demonstrating better bone healing with boron:
Here is a study showing topical application of cetylated fatty acids effective for knee osteoarthritis:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
There are also safety studies of internal consumption in animal models that do not find any adverse effects.