Artwork for podcast Borates Today
Calcium Fructoborate Food Supplement
16th June 2022 • Borates Today • Brendan McMahon
00:00:00 00:04:58

Share Episode

Shownotes

Today, we're going to look at a novel introduction of boron as calcium fructoborate for food supplement use.

Calcium fructoborate has been placed on the European Union's list as a novel food. It has benefits as a food supplement for adults, apparently reducing stress, helping with osteoarthritis and bone loss.

Calcium fructoborate is a salt of an organoboron compound containing boron and fructose and calcium and is naturally found in some plants, but it's also manufactured and promoted as a dietary supplement.

Transcripts

Brendan:

Welcome back to the Borates Today podcast.

Brendan:

Each week we cover a topic that is relevant to the industry and timely.

Brendan:

We cover the latest industry news.

Brendan:

Who are the key players in the sector?

Brendan:

What are the latest trends, driving demand and supply for boron.

Brendan:

What is the science behind boron and who's doing valuable research into

Brendan:

new boron applications and benefits?

Brendan:

We look at how boron helps in advanced energy, in food security,

Brendan:

and in providing nutrition.

Brendan:

So don't forget to check out boron applications and benefits

Brendan:

on our website borates.today.

Brendan:

Today, we're going to look at a novel introduction of boron as calcium

Brendan:

fructoborate for food supplement use.

Brendan:

Boron food supplement and calcium fructoborate.

Brendan:

Calcium fructoborate has been placed on the European Union's list as a novel food.

Brendan:

It has benefits as a food supplement for adults, apparently reducing stress,

Brendan:

helping with osteoarthritis and bone loss.

Brendan:

Calcium fructoborate is a salt of an organoboron compound containing

Brendan:

boron and fructose and calcium and is naturally found in some plants,

Brendan:

but it's also manufactured and promoted as a dietary supplement.

Brendan:

So calcium fructoborate is a tetrahydrate of calcium and the fructose ester of

Brendan:

boric acid with a molecular mass of 846.

Brendan:

The EFSA, or European Food Safety Authority, determined in late 2021

Brendan:

that the supplement is safe for consumption by the general population.

Brendan:

This composition of calcium is indeed similar to that of other artificially

Brendan:

produced compounds on the market, which is limited to use for food supplements and

Brendan:

must not exceed 220 milligrams per day.

Brendan:

The research backing up calcium fructoborate's safety and efficacy was

Brendan:

published in a study in the Journal of Nutrition first on 25th of March, 2019

Brendan:

and showed that calcium fructoborate could inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells

Brendan:

and induce normal cell death in mice.

Brendan:

The substance interferes with the physiology and

Brendan:

reproduction of cancer cells.

Brendan:

The chemical is especially effective against prostate breast,

Brendan:

cervical and lung cancer cells.

Brendan:

However, the substance's effectiveness is limited to human studies, and

Brendan:

therefore it is recommended for use in food supplements intended for adults.

Brendan:

Calcium fructoborate is a plant-based source of boron.

Brendan:

It's not recommended for use in infant formula.

Brendan:

Taking a supplement is recommended only under the advice of a doctor and

Brendan:

should not replace a plant-based diet.

Brendan:

Even though calcium fructoborate is a potent nutrient, few

Brendan:

nutritional supplement companies have offered it to date.

Brendan:

However more awareness about the health benefits of this mineral

Brendan:

could change the situation.

Brendan:

One of the companies bringing it to market is Vibrant Health.

Brendan:

They offer a product called 'Supernatural Boron'.

Brendan:

Their calcium fructoborate supplement contains 2% to

Brendan:

9% boron and 84.2% fructose.

Brendan:

Calcium fructoborate is not toxic to animals and it's also a key

Brendan:

ingredient in many processed foods and helps to keep the body healthy.

Brendan:

It also naturally occurs in some fruits and vegetables.

Brendan:

Researchers have found that calcium fructoborate could improve the functions

Brendan:

of the neutrophils in the body and several studies have suggested that it

Brendan:

has anti-inflammatory properties but the research has yet to be conclusive.

Brendan:

Calcium fructoborate may improve the function of cells.

Brendan:

For instance, the study was shown to reduce the risk of

Brendan:

heart disease and cancer.

Brendan:

Acute pain in the joints of patients with arthritis can also be reduced by consuming

Brendan:

a calcium fructoborate supplement.

Brendan:

In addition, a study in Germany has shown that it can improve the strength

Brendan:

of knee ligaments in the elderly.

Brendan:

Its anti-inflammatory properties may even improve the function of

Brendan:

the immune system in the long run.

Brendan:

Among the popular supplements for joint health,

Brendan:

glucosamine, chondroitin, and turmeric are the most effective.

Brendan:

Calcium fructoborate is a relative newcomer to the

Brendan:

market with scientific backing.

Brendan:

While it may be a little expensive, it may be worth considering.

Brendan:

Research shows it may help improve blood lipid levels, help prevent arthritis and

Brendan:

help in complementary cancer therapies.

Brendan:

This dietary supplement may not only have a positive impact on health but also

Brendan:

reduce the risks of joint inflammation.

Brendan:

Naturally it's essential to consult with a healthcare provider,

Brendan:

if taking this supplement.

Brendan:

And that's all from Borates Today.

Brendan:

For more information on boron in calcium fructoborate and food supplements, please

Brendan:

refer to Borates Today for multiple articles on boron in food and for health.

Chapters