Bee Pollen Health Benefits
 Bee
pollen is the most nutritionally complete natural food
in the world. Bee pollen is rich in minerals and vitamins,
including B-complex vitamins, and contains 12 different
unsaturated fatty acids. It also contains RNA and DNA and
provides protein, amino acids, flavonoids and carotenoids.
Bee pollen is often used for increasing energy, vitality,
boosting immune function, and for detoxifying the body.
The major health benefits of bee pollen are described
below.
Aging
A study by a Swedish dermatologist showed that through
transcutaneous nutrition, bee pollen seemed to prevent
premature aging of the cells and stimulated growth of new
skin tissue. It also offered protection against dehydration.
Allergies / Hay Fever
Bee pollen helps relieve symptoms of hay fever, such as
a runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes, runny nose. Taking
bee pollen in very small doses over time seems to desensitise
the body to the pollen's allergens. The immune system gradually
learns to recognise the pollen which prevents an extreme
reaction to it. When using this remedy you should use pollen
collected from local bees, because it probably contains
the actual plant-based substances that you are reacting
to.
Anaemia
When given to anaemic patients, bee pollen increased levels
of haemoglobin (oxygen-carrying red blood cells).
Antioxidant
Bee pollen has flavonoid constituents that have antioxidant
properties. The most predominant compounds in bee pollen
are flavonoid glycosides, primarily rutin, quercetin, myricetin,
and trans-cinnamic acid.
Cancer Prevention
Preliminary animal studies have shown that bee pollen
has properties that may help in cancer prevention, scavenging
free radicals, and protection against the effects of harmful
radiation and toxic exposure to chemical solvents. Similarly,
initial studies in humans indicate bee products may stimulate
the immune system and have anti-tumour properties.
Cholesterol
Researchers have found that when bee pollen was taken
as a supplement or as a food it helps normalize cholesterol
and triglyceride levels in blood. The bad cholesterol (low-density
lipoproteins - LDL) decreased and the good cholesterol
(high-density lipoproteins - HDL) increased.
Detoxification
Bee pollen extracts have been shown to protect the liver
from damage and help it to detoxify the body. Bee pollen
has been shown to considerably reduce the toxic effects
of aspirin and carbon tetrachloride.
Immune System
Bee Pollen is known as a potent immune system booster,
helping the body fight illnesses. In a study carried out
in Romania, subjects given bee pollen showed an increase
in the level of blood lymphocytes, gamma globulins, and
proteins.
In a study of 25 Austrian women suffering from inoperable
uterine cancer, women given bee pollen with their food
quickly exhibited a higher concentration of cancer-fighting
immune system cells, their antibody production increased,
and the level of their infection-fighting and oxygen-carrying
red blood cells markedly improved.
Prostate Problems
Researchers have found that bee pollen is very effective
in helping prevent prostate problems. The phytochemicals
lycopene, beta-sitosterol, other phytosterols and numerous
flavonoids contained in bee pollen have been shown to inhibit
the growth of prostate tissue and to reduce pain, inflammation
and the risk of prostate cancer. Also, some of the hormones
in bee pollen may aid prostatitis as well. Studies show
that standardized pollen extract is an effective treatment
for prostate enlargement and prostatitis, with no significant
side effects. In one study, over 50% of men who were given
bee pollen experienced a dramatic improvement in sperm
count and were able to perform better sexually after just
one month.
Weight Loss
Bee pollen contains a substance called lecithin that flushes
fat from the body and stimulates the metabolism to burn
calories more quickly. It also helps reduce cravings for
food.
Safety Concerns of Using Bee Pollen
Serious allergic reactions to bee pollen have been reported,
including potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. These
reactions occurred with small amounts of bee pollen, less
than one teaspoon. Most of these case reports were with
people with known allergies to pollen.
back to top |
