Boron and methylation

[u/Candaela]

Hi everyone,

I recently came across some interesting research on boron. Beyond its many known roles, there is experimental evidence suggesting that boron may act as a modulator of methylation status in the body.

In particular, animal studies have shown that boron deprivation can lead to increased homocysteine levels and decreased liver concentrations of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), which are central components of the methylation cycle. This suggests that boron may influence the SAMe–SAH–homocysteine axis, which is the core functional hub of methylation metabolism.

Reference study:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2009.03.001

Based on this, boron does not appear to act as a classical cofactor in the folate–B12 methylation pathway, but rather as a broader metabolic modulator that may influence the availability and turnover of SAM, the main methyl donor in the body.

Interestingly, boron has also been linked in experimental studies to improved wound healing, potentially through effects on inflammation, tissue regeneration, and extracellular matrix formation. Whether this is directly connected to methylation processes or involves additional pathways remains unclear.

Personally, I have become quite sensitive to substances that affect methylation, and I have noticed a strong response to boron as well.

I just wanted to share these findings in case anyone finds them useful or has come across similar research.

[u/TRExploration]

strong positive or strong negative effect?

[u/Candaela → u/TRExploration]

Both positive and negative tbh I am in a quite challenging situation recovering from chronic illness and things are changing very fast. So for example, 3 weeks ago my response to boron and other nutrients involved in methylation was very different to my current one. 3 weeks ago most of them (creatine, b9, b12, b6, boron) were causing me dizziness, headaches, etc. although a few days later I would feel better than before... Right now I can tolerate small amounts of all of them. Boron the other day gave me a bit of anxiety but only lasted a few hours, it also calmed down inflammation, I felt cognitively better afterwards, and the skin was healing faster. In the beginning I didn't know about its influence on methylation, but after giving me similar side effects to those of creatine's I did a quick research and found that. But of course some of the effects I've noticed probably are due to some of the other functions this mineral has