Boron

[tangolil]

Hello and sympathies to my fellow sufferers . You are all very knowledgeable about RA which is why I am seeking your experienced help regarding Boron. I have been in what I thought was a flare for over two years in spite of Sulfasalazine and regular checks with my Consultant Rheumy. I have had three hospitalisations with sepsis and infection which has no source indicated so I get all the antibiotics IV until recovery. This time Sulfasalazine was withdrawn immediately on admission and is not to be taken again until my Consultant advises. I am presently on alternate daily doses of prednisolone 7.5mg/5mg. I have recently been told that Boron helps with inflammation and pain in RA and wonder if any of you have had a test for Boron deficiency or taken a supplement? My CRP was 163 in hospital and reduced to 18 after treatment for one week with 15mg Prednisolone then one week 10mg then continuing with the alternate day dose as above. My hands, wrists and knees are painful but nothing like the agony of the past two plus years. I would be grateful if you could share your thoughts although I am aware that you are not medically qualified. Thank you in advance.

[helixhelix]

Boron is one of the important minerals, mainly for bone but also at a hormonal level. I know people who are on estrogen supplements are told not to take extra.

My overall approach is to get all my minerals and vitamins from food, as my body can excrete what it doesn’t need. And adding a supplement can put other stuff out of balance. So for boron particularly leafy green veg and apples.

But I have read that in the States the soils are so bad from poor farmimg practices and water leaching that the vegetable are lower in Boron than in other countries. So may be more of an issue there.

I did find this report of a tiny study:

“A subsequent double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examined the effects of 1.5, 3, or 6 mg/day boron (as calcium fructoborate) for 2 weeks on inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., C-reactive protein and fibrinogen) in 60 participants with osteoarthritis aged 59–68 years [30]. Supplementation significantly reduced inflammatory markers. In another double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, supplementation with 6 mg/day boron (as calcium fructoborate) for 2 weeks significantly reduced knee discomfort in 60 adults (mean age 50 years) with self-reported knee discomfort [34].These findings suggest that boron, particularly as calcium fructoborate, might hold promise for reducing osteoarthritis symptoms, but confirmation is needed from additional controlled trials.”

But that was OA, not RA.

[tangolil in reply to helixhelix]

Well, that's lucky because I have osteoarthritis too - long before the RA was diagnosed ... I will speak to my Rheumatologist and ask her opinion. I wanted to ask the forum first because I am not so well-versed in our joint (no pun intended) interests. Thanks so much.

[helixhelix]

And to add more, this is an American fact sheet. It doesn’t mention Kale as generally Americans don’t eat it 🤣

ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/B...

But if you are interested in doing more to help yourself don’t just look at one mineral but think about your wider diet and lifestyle. So lots and lots of plants, some fish and everything else in moderation.

[tangolil in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you helixhelix - a very interesting paper.

[sylvi]

Sorry i can't help you . Hugs. xxxx

[tangolil in reply to sylvi]

The fact that you replied so kindly is already a help - and the hug is much appreciated. Thank you,

[medway-lady]

I know it’s what they dump in nuclear reactors to stop the reaction. I don’t know about it’s effect on bones sorry.

[tangolil in reply to medway-lady]

Wow medway-lady - Boron seems to be a very important part of our world! If it can stop the reaction in nuclear reactors there's a chance it may stop the reaction of inflammation! I live in hope and thank you for your reply; Every day's a school day!