The effects of boron supplementation on blood and urinary minerals were studied in 17 female college athletes and 11 sedentary college control subjects. The subjects were similar in age (19.8 ± 1.4 and 20.3 ± 1.1 years for athletes and sedentary groups, respectively) and weight (61.8 ± 9.1 and 59.6 ± 10.5 kgs for athletes and sedentary groups, respectively). The athletic subjects had lower percent body fat averages (20.6 ± 5.6 and 25.8 ± 6.5 %, respectively, (p < 0.05)) and higher aerobic capacities (2.9 ± 0.5 and 2.1 ± 0.4 L O₂*min₋₁, respectively, (p < 0.05) than sedentary controls. No differences in dietary intake were observed. Serum phosphorus levels were lower in boron supplemented subjects than in subjects receiving placebos (p < 0.05) and were lower during final analysis than during baseline analysis. A group-supplement interaction was noted with serum phosphorus also (p < 0.05). In the sedentary group, boron supplementation lowered serum phosphorus and placebo supplementation elevated serum phosphorus. In the athletic group, no changes in serum phosphorus were observed due to supplementation. Serum magnesium was greatest in the sedentary controls supplemented with boron and increased with time in all subjects (p < 0.05). Again, a group-supplement interaction was observed with serum magnesium; exercise in boron supplemented subjects lowered serum magnesium (p < 0.05). In all subjects, calcium excretion increased over time (p < 0.05) and in boron supplemented subjects boron excretion increased over time (p < 0.05). In conclusion, boron supplementation affected serum phosphorus and magnesium and the excretion of boron in the urine. The significance of these findings in relation to overall mineral status, bone mineral density, and exercise in college female athletes needs further investigation. It is possible that increasing the intake of foods high in boron may be found to be beneficial in the treatment and/or prevention of metabolic bone disorders such as those related to excessive exercise. / Ph. D.

Twenty-eight college female volunteers, 18 to 24 years of age, were studied to determine their bone mineral density and hormonal status following 10 months of supplementation with boron. Seventeen of the subjects were college athletes (A) who participated in either varsity basketball, tennis, track, triathlons, or volleyball. Eleven eumenorrheic subjects were placed in the sedentary group (S). All athletes were eumenorrheic, except for two, who were amenorrheic. The subjects were randomly assigned to either a placebo (cornstarch) or 3 mg of Tri-Boron (TWin Labs, Ronkonkoma, NY) per day. The study was single blind; the placebo and boron supplements were identical in appearance. The subjects' maximal oxygen consumption (V02max ) was assessed at month 0 only, in order to compare the athletes' aerobic capacity to that of the sedentary group. Subjects were measured at time 0 and 10 months for the following: average daily food intake, bone mineral density, plasma 1,2 5-dihydroxyvi tamin D3 , and plasma alkaline phosphatase. The following parameters were determined at 0, 6, and 10 months: serum 17-Beta estradiol progesterone, and testosterone, and percent body fat, and body weight. The athletes had a significantly greater V02MX (p < 0.05) than the sedentary group. There were no differences between the A and the S groups' food intake as measured in kcals, protein, fat, carbohydrate and fiber content. Although average body weight did not differ between activity groups, the athletes had a significantly lower (p < 0.05) percent body fat than the sedentary group. The athletes showed a slight increase in bone mineral density, whereas the sedentary group showed a slight decrease. The difference between these changes was significant (p < 0.05) between the activity groups. Furthermore, the athletes showed a slight increase in plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 , while the sedentary group showed a decrease in this measure; the difference between these changes also proved to be significant (p < 0.05) between activity groups. There were no significant differences in plasma alkaline phosphatase values. Serum 17-B estradiol and testosterone values exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) increase for all groups combined at 6 months. There were no significant changes observed in serum progesterone. Although significant changes were observed in some of the variables measured, none of the changes were a result of the boron supplementation. / Ph. D.