Boron Cautions
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Certain people should not take boron supplements without first consulting their doctor for advice:
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
There is no reliable data on the effect of boron on women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so supplementation is not advised. - Women with breast cancer
Women with existing breast cancer or risk of developing breast cancer should be cautious when taking boron and only take this supplement if absolutely necessary as it may adversely affect hormone levels. - Men with prostate cancer
Men with existing prostate cancer or risk of developing prostate cancer should be cautious when taking boron and only take this supplement if absolutely necessary as it may adversely affect hormone levels. - People with kidney disease
People with kidney disease should only take boron supplements under medical supervision as excessive amounts of boron have a detrimental effect on the kidneys and cause kidney damage. - People with any type of health condition
People with any type of health condition need to seek the advice of their doctor if they also want to take boron supplements to ensure it is safe to do so.
There is no reliable data on the effect of boron on women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so supplementation is not advised
Toxic Levels of Molybdenum
Data from accidental poisonings indicate that the acute, lethal dose of boric acid is 3000-6000 mg (3-6 grams) for infants and 15,000-20,000 mg (15-20 grams) for adults.
Overdosage and Toxicity Symptoms
Symptoms of toxicity side effects if intake is more than 100mg per kg of food:
- Breathing problems
- Chest pain or tightness
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Kidney damage
- Lethargy
- Nausea
- Oedema (swelling, fluid retention)
- Restlessness
- Skin rashes or hives
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
People experiencing any of the above toxicity symptoms should discontinue their boron supplements and seek medical advice.
Overdosage and toxicity is more likely to occur from taking too many supplements, whereas dietary intake of boron is highly unlikely to cause overdosage.