El boro, un elemento benéfico que ayuda a prevenir la osteoporosis en el humano: una revisión de literatura

Abstract

The aim of the present review is to point out the possible link between boron and osteoporosis. Boron is an element that is essential for plants; however, its importance as an essential nutrient in animals has not yet been accepted and is still being discussed by the scientific community. In both plants and animals, boron is able to form di-esters bridges with cis-diol groups; and one of its functions in the metabolism of human is the hydroxylation of vitamin D until its active form, the Calcitriol. This reaction is performed in the mitochondria of kidney cells where, in addition to a continuous supply of boron,the presence of oxygen, magnesium, NADPH and cytochrome P450 is required. Being an element that the human body cannot synthesize, its ingestion through water and food is very important. There seems to be a relationship between osteoporosis (a chronic, silent and chemotherapeutically treatable disease) and boron levels. Boron supplementation to the diet over the estimated dietary intake of 2 mg/day simulates the action of hormone replacement therapy, helps in the consolidation of fractures, among other benefits. However, attempting to elucidate the etiology of a multifactorial disease such as osteoporosis is an arduous task in research, and the possible link of traces or ultratraces elements, is a hypothesis yet to be addressed.