For Use with Chapter 7
The Elements

The Elements of Good Nutrition
Posted November 1st, 2001

Run your finger down the list of ingredients on any bottle of multivitamins and you’ll undoubtedly read the name of several elements. Scientists and nutritionists know that the human body requires these elements to function properly. What scientists are just now investigating is the importance of the element boron (B) to good health.

Benefits of Boron

Recently, scientists at UCLA conducted a six-nation study of dietary boron intake and reported some interesting observations about the healthful benefits of the mineral. The UCLA research team compiled data and examined health conditions for a group of participants and became surprised to learn that increased levels of dietary boron appeared to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Their results of this participant study showed that the risk of prostate cancer among men who consume at least 1.8 mg of boron per day is less than one-third that of men who consumed 0.9 mg or less per day.

In another recent study, scientists from the Agriculture Department’s Human Nutrition Research Center reported that boron may help the immune system ward off autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. On the basis of their research on laboratory animals, these scientists have proposed that laboratory rats appear to be less susceptible to autoimmune diseases if their diets included adequate amounts of boron.

In addition to these recent findings, boron is also believed to play a role in keeping other minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in the body. For example, there is a wealth of medical and chemical information that attests to the importance of boron in helping the body retain and use calcium, which can prevent osteoporosis.

Did You Eat Yours?

The benefits of boron are predicated on the intake of "sufficient" or "adequate" amounts of boron. The next question to ask is "how much boron is ideal?" Currently the answer seems to be approximately 2–3 mg per day. Foods and beverages such as peanuts, noncitrus fruit, grapes, and red wine are all good sources of boron.

Activity

Obtain a list of elements that are known to be important in maintaining good health and use the internet to investigate the source and function of each. Present your findings as a poster, or, if available, as a Power Point slideshow presentation.

References

http://sciencenews.org/20010414/fob1.asp
Raloff, J. Boosting Boron;Science News, Vol. 159, April 14, 2001.

http://www.foodandhealing.com/article-foodbones.htm