Contributing Editor:
Health eTips, 9/4/2003
So far so good
Dr. Wright admits it's a bit early to know for sure, but recent research indicates that boron (a nutrient found in vegetables and fruits) may prevent prostate cancer and autoimmune diseases (including lupus, Graves' disease, Hashimoto's disease, type-1 diabetes, vitiligo, multiple sclerosis, and more).
When examining the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), researchers uncovered a significant relationship between boron and prostate cancer risk. After comparing the diets of nearly 8,000 men, they found that the risk of prostate cancer for men consuming an average of 1.8 milligrams of boron was less than one-third the risk for men consuming half that amount.
Another group of researchers, from the USDA's Human Nutrition Research Center in Grand Forks, Idaho, reported that studies on animals have shown that the equivalent of 2 milligrams of boron taken daily prevents the activation of "T-helper" and "T-suppressor" cells, both of which are involved in autoimmune disease. These results were significant enough to persuade the researchers to launch a study of supplemental boron as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, which is often cited as an autoimmune disease.
What should you do? Well, you can take supplemental boron. It's safe (when taken in low doses -- up to 6 milligrams per day), inexpensive, and available in nearly all natural food stores. And, of course, don't forget to eat your fruits and vegetables -- they're by far the best sources of boron.
If you're not sure about boron yet, wait until you hear this: A few years ago Dr. Forrest Nielsen (at the USDA research center) showed that boron helped raise levels of sex hormones internally in women past menopause and in men of the same age group.
With all of the bad news about synthetic hormone replacement therapy, it's a relief to know that something as simple and widely available as boron might help boost your hormone levels safely and naturally.
Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Managing Editor
Nutrition & Healing
www.newmediaexplorer.org/chris/
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