Author
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Submitted to: Nutrition
Publication Type: Review Article Publication Acceptance Date: 12/20/1999 Publication Date: 7/1/2000 Citation: Nielsen, F.H. 2000. The emergence of boron as nutritionally important throughout the life cycle. Nutrition. 16(7-8):512-514. Interpretive Summary: Recent research findings indicate that boron is needed or beneficial for many of life processes including embryo development, bone growth and maintenance, immune function, psychomotor skills and cognitive function. Thus, boron is poised to become recognized as a nutrient clinically important for health and well-being. Unfortunately, a clearly defined biochemical function has not been identified for boron, which would accelerate the recognition of its nutritional importance. A defined function also would facilitate research in other areas such as identifying boron status indicators and whether inadequate boron intake contributes to becoming osteoporotic or arthritic. Many research findings support the concept that boron has a role that affects the action or metabolism of other nutrients at the cell membrane level; such a role would explain the myriad of effects that boron has at physiological intakes. Even without a a defined function, however, it is quite apparent that boron is important for optimal function throughout the life cycle. Technical Abstract: Recent research findings indicate that boron is needed or beneficial for many of life processes including embryo development, bone growth and maintenance, immune function, psychomotor skills and cognitive function. Thus, boron is poised to become recognized as a nutrient clinically important for health and well-being. Unfortunately, a clearly defined biochemical function has not been identified for boron, which would accelerate the recognition of its nutritional importance. A defined function also would facilitate research in other areas such as identifying boron status indicators and whether inadequate boron intake contributes to becoming osteoporotic or arthritic. Many research findings support the concept that boron has a role that affects the action or metabolism of other nutrients at the cell membrane level; such a role would explain the myriad of effects that boron has at physiological intakes. Even without a a defined function, however, it is quite apparent that boron is important for optimal function throughout the life cycle. |
