Fwd: boron

Dianne: I am forwarding your query to the Mediteranean Plants Listserve--perhaps a reader will have good information for you.  I suggest you also contact your local county extension office for suggestions.

I also did a quick search on google.com and found an interesting article on boron; there is quite a bit about it on the Internet.

Good luck, Laurie Treacher

Boron Phenols and Health : Clues to the Mysteries of ADD - Alzheimer's - Asthma, ADD, Alzheimer's, Asthma, Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD/ADHD, Allergies, Arthritis, Autism, Candida, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, Adult Diabetes, Dyslexia, Breast Cancer, Learning Disabilities, Prostate Cancer, Liver Cancer, Oesophageal Cancer, Stroke, Spina Bifida, Alzheimer's Disease, Specific Learning Disabilities.

The Boron Factor in ADD/ADHD
Boron and its involvement with attention deficit disorder is a concept that appears not to have been considered before. Boron, phenols and/or histamine may possibly cause thinning of the middle part of the brain where nerve fibres cross over. This part of the brain is called the corpus callosum. Damage to this area (prior to birth) causes learning disabilities. Boron increases copper in the body. High copper levels cause reductions in thiamine (vitamin B1). Lack of thiamine causes many problems associated with ADD. A lack of this vitamin reduces oxygen supply to the brain. Low cholinesterase levels are associated with a thiamine deficiency. Lack of thiamine may indirectly lower the neurotransmitter dopamine. There are below normal dopamine levels in hyperactive children. Low cholinesterase levels are sometimes associated with asthma.
Boron interferes with the metabolism of phenols. Phenylalanine (a phenol) is able to reduce serotonin levels. Serotonin levels are reduced in children with ADD. The medication Ritalin used in the treatment of ADD inhibits the metabolism of coumarins (phenols). Low and high histamine levels are also discussed.
Boron reduces pyridoxine (vitamin B6) levels in the body. The importance of this occurrence to the reduction of the symptoms of ADD is covered throughout the book. A brief description of how boron interacts with body nutrients is discussed. Boron has the ability to cause an excess or depletion of vital substances. This causes a spin off in alteration of other nutrients. For example, boron has an indirect effect of reducing zinc levels in the body. Boron increases calcium retention in the body. Calcium reduces zinc. As outlined in this book, boron plays a role in excreting pyridoxine (vitamin B6) from the body. Vitamin B6 is necessary for zinc absorption. Vitamin B6 and zinc play major roles in neurotransmitter function.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that relay messages between nerves in the body. Some neurotransmitters have a relaxing effect whilst others have a stimulatory effect. An imbalance of neurotransmitters (as discussed throughout this book) may cause symptoms of ADHD/ADD. Nausea during pregnancy is associated with a deficiency of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and zinc. Acute toxicity of boron presents with nausea, vomiting, lethargy, dermatitis and diarrhoea.
ADD is possibly linked to the food the mother consumed during pregnancy. A diet (during pregnancy) giving a high intake of boron containing foods together with a high intake of calcium containing foods may be a contributing factor to the ADD symptoms of the child. Water supplies containing high levels of calcium and/or copper reduce zinc absorption in the body. Boron is found in apples, pears, grapes, nuts, leafy green vegetables and legumes.

Warning
The above information where included in Boron Phenols and Health is well referenced. People using the above information should do so under Medical advice and/or supervision.

X-POP3-Rcpt: treacher@pop10
Reply-To: "Dianne Rustan" <rustan@vornet.com>
From: "Dianne Rustan" <rustan@vornet.com>
To: <agissues@ucdavis.edu>
Subject: boron
Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 12:51:42 -0700
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4133.2400

We are purchasing a ranch in Lakeview Oregon.  There is a high volume of boron in the irrigation well water.  We are trying to find out what crops have a high tolerance for boron.  Any information you could give me would be appreciated. 
 
Thank you,  Dianne Rustan

Laurie A. Treacher
University of California Agricultural Issues Center
One Shields Avenue  Davis, CA 95616-8514 USA
phone 530 752 2320   fax 530 752 5451
<latreacher@ucdavis.edu>   http://aic.ucdavis.edu
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