Boron for Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
One small study is the entire basis for boron's SHBG reputation.
Overview
Verdict
How It Works
Dosing & Protocol
Typical dose
- Recommended dose
- 3-10mg/day if used
- Expected timeframe
- 1-4 weeks
Protocol
- hard limit
- Never exceed 20 mg/day from all sources
- studied dose
- 10 mg/day for one week
- evidence note
- Verdict is insufficient - the famous finding comes from eight men
- what happened
- A frequently cited study of eight men taking 10 mg/day for a week reported reduced SHBG and increased free testosterone. It remains essentially unreplicated, and a sample of eight cannot establish an effect
- interpretation
- Even if SHBG falls, no trial has shown that this produces any clinical benefit
- if you still trial it
- 10 mg/day for one week with food, with SHBG and free testosterone measured before and after, then drop to 3 mg/day or stop
Evidence
What the studies say
Nothing boring about boron: effects of supplementation on steroid hormones and inflammation
Pizzorno L
Boron supplementation of 6-10 mg/day lowered sex hormone binding globulin and raised free testosterone within one week
Safety
Caveats
Do not exceed 20mg/day. Evidence is far too thin to justify targeting SHBG this way.
Less likely to help if
Medical Disclaimer
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Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.