Doctor Warns: TikTok Borax Trend Poses Severe Health Risks

Medical Doctor Issues Urgent Warning Against Dangerous Borax Ingestion Trend A concerning new health trend circulating on platforms like TikTok, which encourages individuals to ingest borax for various purported benefits, has prompted an urgent warning from medical professionals. Dr. Idz, a medical doctor with an MRes in Nutrition Research, recently released a video strongly advising against this practice, labeling it "the stupidest health trend I've ever seen." Borax, scientifically known as sodium borate or tetraborate, is a naturally occurring mineral widely recognized for its use in cleaning products and as an insecticide. Despite its natural origin, Dr. Idz emphasized that "just because it's natural doesn't mean it's good for you to eat," drawing a parallel to naturally occurring arsenic, which is highly toxic. Citing data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Dr. Idz detailed the severe health risks associated with borax ingestion. According to the toxicity data, borax can lead to kidney failure and reproductive harm. Furthermore, studies indicate that even small amounts can be lethal; for instance, 0.04 grams had a 50% chance of killing mice, and a mere 1 gram per kilogram was the lowest lethal dose for human infants. For a 70 kg adult, as little as 49 grams could be fatal, often preceded by seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, and severe vomiting. The doctor highlighted that borax has been effectively banned as a food additive in the UK since 2010 and by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to its unsafe nature for ingestion. The European Food Safety Authority also sets a strict safe limit for borax and boron at 0.16 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, which translates to a minuscule 0.01 grams for an adult. Dr. Idz concluded his warning with a direct plea: "Just stop eating it." His message underscores the critical importance of consulting qualified medical professionals for health advice and avoiding unverified online trends that pose serious health risks.

MI Blue Daily

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