by Lawrence Wilson, MD

BORON AND RUBIDIUM

These two minerals are not currently read on hair mineral analyses performed by Analytical Research Laboratories, though they may be read by other labs. They are of importance for the following reasons:

BORON

Boron is an interesting trace mineral that is very important for plants, and somewhat less important for human beings. It is found in many foods, and can also be a contaminant of air, water and food due to its many uses in industry. It is not necessary to supplement in most cases.

FUNCTIONS

Boron helps support adrenal gland activity, and may play a role in stomach activity, anti-aging and bone health.

Boron may also act in the body as one of the “amigos”. This is a group of elements that can form oxides within the body that have an irritating effect, thereby stimulating and temporarily increasing adrenal activity when the body is nutritionally depleted. Other members of this group of elements are iron, manganese, aluminum, chromium, selenium, nickel and rubidium.

The “amigos” seem to act as irritants by causing oxidant damage in the body. This may raise the tissue sodium level by stimulating adrenal activity. In this way, these elements act like crutches to keep the sodium level higher, and thus balance body chemistry, although it is not a healthy or preferred way to balance the body. To read more about this interesting phenomenon, read The Amigos on this website.

Boron may raise magnesium levels, perhaps by causing magnesium retention at the level of the kidneys.

USE IN INDUSTRY

Boron is also widely used in industry, where is functions as a cleansing agent, antiseptic, water softener, fertilizer ingredient, and is used in anti-freeze and as a preservative for foods. It is also used in plastics and in shielding and control rods in nuclear power plants.

SUPPLEMENTATION

Boron supplements are sold in the health food stores and on the internet. They may assist with bone health and some menopausal symptoms, perhaps by assisting the adrenal glands.

I use boron supplements, up to 9 mg daily, for alleviating hot flashes, but only if other methods such as the producdt Thyro-Complex from Endomet Labs, does not work, which is rare.

HAIR MINERAL TESTING NOTES

Hair levels of boron may or may not be significant. This means that the boron level in the hair may not represent the boron level in the body tissues. This is one reason that Analytical Research Laboratories does not report the level of this mineral on its hair mineral charts.

RUBIDIUM

This is a male element that forms a pair with iodine, an important female element. Rubidium has been studied more in plant health than in human health. It is an ultra-trace mineral that is found in many common foods such as meats, whole grains and vegetables. It is less often found in fruits and sugars. It has a lot to do with aging and anti-aging, and the thyroid gland.

FUNCTIONS

1. Thyroid health. It is often found alongside iodine, and both are needed in the thyroid gland. Rubidium is antagonistic to iodine in some ways.

2. Preventing premature aging. The thyroid gland controls aging in the body in unique ways.

3. One of the more subtle “amigos”. That is, it, too, can form an oxide that can irritate the adrenal glands and by doing so, can raise the sodium level to help rebalance a depleted, toxic or otherwise ill body.

DEFICIENCY AND EXCESS SYMPTOMS

Deficiency symptoms include hypothyroidism, and fast aging, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, other heart diseases, dry hair and brittle nails, respiratory ailments, and more.

Symptoms of excess include the opposite such as hyperthyroidism.

HAIR MINERAL TEST NOTES

Rubidium levels in the hair may be significant. I have not studied this mineral enough to say more about rubidium. It is not read on most hair mineral tests, and reading it accurately is not that easy.

Courses | About Dr. Wilson | Contact Us | The Free Basic Program