Supplemental Boron Dosages: Generally all edible boron compounds react with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to produce boric acid. This compound is readily absorbed and distributed throughout the body. A small portion is stored in the bones, while most is eliminated by the kidneys into the urine. Therefore to maintain a nutritional effect, borates must be ingested every day. As borates or boric acid naturally occur in some well water sources and in all vascular plants, this should already be available from most vegetables, fruit, nuts and grains. However, this does not occur from boron depleted soils. Where people ingest less than one milligram (1mg) of elemental boron daily, this correlates with deficiency disease. 3 to 6 mg is often recommended as a supplemental dose, as in many studies this has been shown to be beneficial. If there is a little more coming in through water or food, the total could add to 8 to 12 mg daily in these healthier individuals. Therefore, it is reasonable to suggest most people should have about 10mg daily. However, to treat more severe illnesses (such as arthritis, colitis, osteoporosis or cancer) 20 to 30mg may be necessary. Studies in parts of the world (such as Israel and Turkey), where there is an abundance of boron in the water, soil and food people get about 60mg daily. They seem quite healthy with no apparent problems from overdose. Various compounds of boron are available as supplements. these have highly variable molecular weights. To judge how to determine dosages it is easiest to look at the quantity of elemental boron present. For example, the molecular weight of boric acid (BO3H3) is 61.8 grams per mole. The atomic weight of boron is 10.8 grams per mole. Therefore the ratio of molecular weight to elemental weigh is 61.8/10.8 = 5.7 Thus 10mg of boron would be provided by 57mg of boric acid. If we are using calcium-bis-fructoborate, this weighs 774.3 grams per mole and provides 2 atoms of boron per molecule. The ratio here is 774.3/21.6 = 35.8. Thus to receive 10mg of elemental boron one must take 358mg of calcium-bis-fructoborate. If we are using boron citrate, this weighs 200 grams per mole (C6H5BO7). Each molecule provides 1 atom of boron. Therefore the ratio is 200/10.8 = 18.5. Thus to receive 10mg of elemental boron one would ingest 185mg of boron citrate. Various compounds related to sodium borate are known as borax. The conjugate anion has 4 atoms of boron alternating with oxygen atoms to form a complex double ring structure. This can be written as Na2B4O5(OH)4. Usually this is well hydrated and holds an extra 8 molecules of water and so is correctly written Na2B4O5(OH)4ยท8H2O. The molecular weight of this fully hydrated version is 381. If heated to over 300 degrees centigrade, it looses 10 molecules of water to become anhydrous borax of formula Na2B4O7. Its molecular weight is 201. If fully hydrated borax is used as a supplement, the weight ratio is 381/43.2 = 8.82. Therefore 10mg of boron would be provided by 88.2mg of fully hydrated borax. Carefully check the labels to determine the exact quantity of elemental boron in each pill. Most health-food/supplement companies sell 3mg or 6mg pills. If one needs 30mg, I have found only 3 manufacturers for this. "BoroTab" 30mg by Hakala Research "Boron" 30mg by New World Health Foods "Bio Boron" 30mg by Pure Therapro Rx