Boron

You probably know what a vitamin is and possibly even mineral. I am sure you can name several of each group, but do you know an answer to the question: what is boron?
Let us try to help you out if your answer is no and even if you know the answer, maybe we can add some more boron facts. Facts about boron are that it is a chemical element and boron is a mineral. One compound containing boron the mineral in great amounts is the ore borax. In nature boron is never found free and it is a non-metal. Boron is just as essential for the body as so many other minerals and even though it is only needed in small amounts a deficiency can lead to severe reactions.

In the industry boron minerals play an important role in light structural material, nontoxic insecticides, preservatives, reagents for some synthesis products in chemistry and even for production processes in the ever-growing semiconductor industry. Though boron is a essential plant nutrient, a overdose in the soil can be very toxic to some plants. Boron toxicity can cause problems in the leaves as well as a bad overall growth performance. Nearly all plants, even those somewhat tolerant of boron may die of to big amounts of boron in the soil.

To name boron food sources is not that hard, since boron basically appears practically in all foods coming from plant sources. Boron though essential for the body is still one of the minerals where the effect on the human body is not known in all its extend. One research on boron shows that a normal diet with boron can help keep calcium in the body longer and can help activate estrogen and vitamin d. Boron and hormones like estrogen or testosterone can show interactions and increased levels.

In the United States boron is only produced in the state of California. Usually boron products are produced from surface and underground mines and from certain brine liquids existing in the earth.

The world largest producers of boron are Turkey and the United States and boron exports make up for one half of the United States production of boron.

Long known as a remedy for arthritis, boron overdoses or high levels in boron can trigger other diseases and health issues such as autism. Boron and autism is a field that is still researched and probably will cause lots of studies in the future.

A boron deficiency is also bad for the body and it may lead to symptoms such as impaired mental function and suppressed mental alertness.