Home Ingredients Calcium Fructoborate (FruiteX-B®)
Joint HealthBone HealthAnti-Inflammatory

Calcium Fructoborate (FruiteX-B®)

Evidence Level
Moderate
2 Clinical Trials
5 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

Calcium fructoborate (CFB), marketed as FruiteX-B® by VDF FutureCeuticals, is a patented complex of calcium, fructose, and boron designed to mimic the boron-carbohydrate complexes naturally found in plant foods such as fruits and vegetables. Multiple human randomized controlled trials have evaluated CFB at 110–112 mg/day for knee discomfort, joint function, and systemic inflammation markers including C-reactive protein, IL-6, and IL-1β. The ingredient delivers a low daily dose of bioavailable boron with a documented safety profile and represents one of the more clinically substantiated boron supplements available, with effects observed at intakes comparable to dietary boron from a fruit-rich diet.

Studied Dose 110 mg twice daily (total ~2 mg boron/day) for knee comfort and joint function; 112 mg/day for inflammation markers; trials typically 14–90 days.
Active Compound Calcium fructoborate—a plant-mimetic complex of boron, fructose, and calcium delivering ~1.5–3 mg elemental boron per typical daily dose.

Benefits

Supports joint comfort

Daily intake has been shown in human trials to help reduce sensations of knee discomfort and improve pain and stiffness scores within 7–14 days, supporting comfortable joint movement during everyday activity.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Helps maintain healthy inflammation markers

Studies have observed reductions in circulating C-reactive protein and select inflammatory cytokines, indicating support for a balanced systemic inflammatory tone.

Supported by Trial 2

Promotes bone-friendly mineral status

Boron plays a supportive role in calcium and magnesium metabolism and steroid-hormone balance, helping maintain bone-supportive nutritional status.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Supports cardiometabolic markers

Some trials have observed favorable shifts in lipid markers and inflammatory cytokines, consistent with a role in supporting cardiovascular wellness as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Supported by Trial 2

Low-dose, plant-mimetic boron source

Delivers boron in a complex resembling natural plant boron-polyol structures, providing a well-characterized form of the trace mineral at intakes consistent with a fruit-rich diet.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Cytokine modulation

CFB intake has been associated with reductions in circulating CRP, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1, suggesting modulation of pathways driving low-grade systemic inflammation.

2

Boron-mediated enzyme support

Boron supports activity of enzymes involved in steroid-hormone metabolism, vitamin D regulation, and matrix protein synthesis relevant to bone and joint health.

3

Mineral metabolism

Boron influences renal handling of calcium and magnesium and may help reduce calcium losses, contributing to mineral balance important for bone.

4

Antioxidant signaling

Preclinical work suggests boron-fructose complexes can support endogenous antioxidant defenses and reduce oxidative-stress markers.

Clinical trials

1
CFB for knee discomfort

Comparative double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 110 mg CFB twice daily for 14 days

n=60 adults with knee discomfort

Participants taking CFB showed significant improvements in WOMAC and McGill Pain Questionnaire scores at day 7 and day 14 versus placebo, supporting rapid onset of joint-comfort benefits at a daily dose delivering ~2 mg boron.

2
CFB on inflammation and lipid markers

Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 112 mg/day CFB for 30 days

Adults with elevated inflammatory markers

The higher-dose CFB group showed substantial reductions in CRP (~31%), IL-1β (~29%), and MCP-1 (~31%) versus baseline, supporting CFB's ability to help maintain a balanced inflammatory tone.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well tolerated in trials at studied doses; mild GI upset occasionally reported.
Headache or transient fatigue rarely reported during initiation.
Boron has an established UL of 20 mg/day in adults; CFB doses are well below this threshold.
Not recommended during pregnancy at supplemental doses without medical supervision.
Allergic reactions are rare but possible in sensitive individuals.

Important Drug interactions

Estrogen-based therapies: boron may increase circulating estrogen levels modestly.
Magnesium and calcium supplements: additive effects on mineral status; usually beneficial but monitor.
Anticoagulants: no consistent interaction reported; monitor in high-risk patients.
Phosphate-binding medications: theoretical interaction via mineral metabolism.

More Joint Health Ingredients

Joint Health
Curcuwin Ultra+® (144× Bioavailable Curcumin — OmniActive)
Curcuwin Ultra+® is OmniActive's highly bioavailable curcumin — distinguished by 144× grea…
Joint Health
NEM® (Natural Eggshell Membrane — ESM Technologies)
NEM® is the branded standardized natural eggshell membrane developed by ESM Technologies (…
Joint Health
Undenatured Type II Collagen
Undenatured Type II Collagen (sometimes abbreviated UC-2 or native Type II collagen) is a…
Joint Health
UC-II® (Undenatured Type II Collagen — Lonza)
UC-II® is the patented branded form of undenatured Type II collagen developed by InterHeal…

Explore Other Ingredients

Sleep Health
Serezin™
Serezin™ is PLT Health Solutions' patented blend of Boswellia serrata and ginger (Zingiber…
Muscle & Recovery
Bromelain
Bromelain is a group of protein-digesting enzymes extracted from pineapple stems, used in…
Antioxidant
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle, derived from the Silybum marianum plant, contains silymarin, a compound know…

Related articles from our blog

📝 Article
The 7 Best Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements of 2026
Glucosamine and chondroitin is the classic joint supplement, the one half of your relatives keep in the cupboard. It is…

Frequently asked questions about Calcium Fructoborate (FruiteX-B®)

What is Calcium Fructoborate?

Calcium fructoborate (CFB), marketed as FruiteX-B® by VDF FutureCeuticals, is a patented complex of calcium, fructose, and boron designed to mimic the boron-carbohydrate complexes naturally found in plant foods such as fruits and vegetables.

What is Calcium Fructoborate used for?

Calcium Fructoborate is researched primarily for Joint Health, Bone Health, and Anti-Inflammatory. Daily intake has been shown in human trials to help reduce sensations of knee discomfort and improve pain and stiffness scores within 7–14 days, supporting comfortable joint movement during everyday activity.

What is the recommended dosage of Calcium Fructoborate?

The clinically studied dose is 110 mg twice daily (total ~2 mg boron/day) for knee comfort and joint function; 112 mg/day for inflammation markers; trials typically 14–90 days. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Calcium Fructoborate safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Calcium Fructoborate is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well tolerated in trials at studied doses; mild GI upset occasionally reported. Headache or transient fatigue rarely reported during initiation. It may also interact with some medications. Calcium Fructoborate is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Calcium Fructoborate interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Estrogen-based therapies: boron may increase circulating estrogen levels modestly. Magnesium and calcium supplements: additive effects on mineral status; usually beneficial but monitor. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Calcium Fructoborate?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Calcium Fructoborate as Moderate (3 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Pietrzkowski Z, Phelan MJ, Keller R, Shu C, Argumedo R, Reyes-Izquierdo T. Short-term efficacy of calcium fructoborate on subjects with knee discomfort: a comparative, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Clin Interv Aging. 2014;9:895-9. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S64590.PubMedUsed to support: RCT in 60 adults with knee discomfort showing 110 mg CFB twice daily significantly improved WOMAC and McGill Pain scores by day 7 and day 14 versus placebo.
  2. Rogoveanu OC, Mogoşanu GD, Bejenaru C, Bejenaru LE, Croitoru O, Neamţu J, Pietrzkowski Z, Reyes-Izquierdo T, Biţă A, Scorei ID, Scorei RI. Effects of Calcium Fructoborate on Levels of C-Reactive Protein, Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein, Triglycerides, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1: a Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2015;163(1-2):124-31. doi: 10.1007/s12011-014-0155-9.PubMedUsed to support: Double-blind placebo-controlled trial showing 112 mg/day CFB over 30 days reduced CRP by ~31%, IL-1β by ~29%, and MCP-1 by ~31% versus baseline, supporting effects on systemic inflammation markers.
  3. Scorei R, Mitrut P, Petrisor I, Scorei I. A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study to evaluate the effect of calcium fructoborate on systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia markers for middle-aged people with primary osteoarthritis. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2011;144(1-3):253-63. doi: 10.1007/s12011-011-9083-0.PubMedUsed to support: Pilot RCT in middle-aged adults with primary osteoarthritis evaluating effects of calcium fructoborate on systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia markers, supporting joint-health and inflammatory-modulation positioning of CFB.