Boron (Citrate)

What is Boron?

Boron is a trace mineral often overlooked in standard nutrition curricula but increasingly recognised for its role in skeletal health, hormone modulation, cognitive performance, and micronutrient synergy (1). Optiventure uses boron citrate – a form your body can easily absorb – that provides 2mg of boron in each dose.

Unlike metallic or oxide forms, boron citrate offers improved solubility and is less irritating to the gastrointestinal tract, especially when taken daily, which is ideal for active individuals and adventurers (2).

Why Do Outdoor Adventurers Need Boron?

Backpacking diets can lack nutrient diversity. Combine that with repetitive strain, high calcium and magnesium loads from supplements or food, and hormonal fluctuations from intense exertion, and you’ve got a case for boron.

Boron is especially useful for:

• Supporting bone strength and calcium-magnesium-phosphorus balance (3,7)
• Enhancing magnesium and vitamin D utilisation, both crucial for energy and muscle repair (5,10)
• Improves wound healing (4)
• Helping regulate testosterone and estradiol levels (1)
• Reducing inflammatory markers and oxidative stress post-exercise (6)

It’s like a metabolic matchmaker, helping your other nutrients do their job better.

Dietary Sources of Boron?

Boron is found in prunes, raisins, legumes, leafy greens, and nuts (8). But it’s rarely tracked or listed on nutrition panels, and its content varies significantly depending on soil composition — which is especially relevant in Australia, where boron-deficient soils are common in several regions (8).

Hikers often eat repetitive, shelf-stable foods that lack boron-rich plant variety, increasing the value of supplementation.

What’s the Best Form of Boron For Hikers?

Forms matter, especially with trace elements:

• Boron oxide/boric acid: Often used in lab studies, but less common in supplements
• Boron amino acid chelates: Good absorption, but less stable
• Boron citrate (5%): High solubility, safe, effective for daily use in combination formulas 

We use the citrate form because it balances stability and absorption — perfect for regular dosing in active individuals.

Key Information About Boron

Deficiency Stats

There’s no established RDI for boron, but studies show that low intake (<1mg/day) may:

• Impair vitamin D and magnesium metabolism (10)
• Reduce bone mineral density and increase calcium excretion (6)
• Affect sex hormone levels, particularly in males and postmenopausal females (2)

Insufficient intake can therefore limit the effectiveness of other nutrients, and that’s a hidden risk on long expeditions or simplified hiking diets.

Why Optiventure Has 2mg of Boron

This dose was selected based on human trials indicating:

• Enhanced magnesium and vitamin D utilisation at 2mg/day (10)
• Hormonal balance support without risk of toxicity (10)
• Safe, effective daily support for bone, joint, and metabolic health (3,6,7)

Boron helps your body get the most out of the other nutrients in the Sunrise capsule, so you’re at your absolute best before your adventure even starts.

References

1. Naghii, M. R., Mofid, M., Asgari, A. R., Hedayati, M., & Daneshpour, M. S. (2011). Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokines. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 25(1), 54–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2010.11.002
2. Nielsen, F. H. (2014). Update on human health effects of boron. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 28(4), 383–387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2014.06.023
3. Nielsen, F. H. (2020). Pivotal role of boron supplementation on bone health: A narrative review. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 62, 126–135.
4. Beattie, J. H., & Peace, H. S. (1993). The influence of a low-boron diet and boron supplementation on bone, major mineral and sex steroid metabolism in postmenopausal women. British Journal of Nutrition, 69(3), 871–884. https://doi.org/10.1079/BJN19930087
5. Hunt, C. D. (1994). The biochemical effects of physiologic amounts of dietary boron in animal nutrition models. Environmental Health Perspectives, 102(Suppl 7), 35–43. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.94102s735
6. Nielsen, F. H., & Stoecker, B. J. (2009). Boron and fish oil have different beneficial effects on strength and trabecular microarchitecture of bone. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 23(3), 195–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2009.05.002
7. Nielsen, F. H. (2008). Is boron nutritionally relevant? Nutrition Reviews, 66(4), 183–191. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2008.00023.x
8. Rainey, C. J., Nyquist, L. A., Christensen, R. E., Strong, P. L., Culver, B. D., & Coughlin, J. R. (1999). Daily boron intake from the American diet. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 99(3), 335–340. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8223(99)00082-2
9. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. (2021, January 15). Boron—Health professional fact sheet. Retrieved June 24, 2025, fromhttps://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Boron-HealthProfessional/
10. Pizzorno, L. (2015). Nothing boring about boron. Integrative Medicine (Encinitas), 14(4), 35–48.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26770156/
11. Wildfoods. (n.d.). Best time to take boron supplements. Retrieved June 24, 2025, from https://www.wildfoods.co/blogs/content/best-time-take-boron-supplements
12. World Health Organization. (1996). Trace elements in human nutrition and health. World Health Organization. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/37931