Boron deficiency (medicine)

This article is about boron deficiency in animals. For the same deficiency in plants, see boron deficiency (plant disorder).

Boron deficiency is a pathology which may occur in animals due to a lack of boron. A report given by E. Wayne Johnson et al at the 2005 Alan D. Leman Swine Conference suggests that boron deficiency produces osteochondrosis in swine that is correctable by addition of 25 ppm of boron to the diet. The amount of boron required by animals and humans is not yet well established.

According to some natural therapy researchers, topsoil used over long periods of time for agriculture become boron-deficient to some extent, and humans eating produce from boron-rich soils have reduced incidence of arthritis and osteoporosis.