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Real men eat pollen
Collected from various plants and combined with plant nectar and bee saliva, bee pollen is a nutritionally loaded food source for male worker bees.
It can be a food source for you, too. It contains healthy amounts of carbohydrates, protein, fat, amino acids, and vitamin C; plus trace amounts of vitamin B complex, carotene, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and potassium.
However, the human benefits of bee pollen remain unproven. Advocates claim increased physical energy and stamina, stress relief, prolonged youthfulness, and a stronger immune system, among many other attributes.
It sounds good, but bee pollen as a health promoter remains controversial.
Quick Facts about Bee Pollen
- At present, there is no minimum RDA or safe "dosage" for bee pollen.
- Bee pollen contains small amounts of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
- A recent study found no differences physiologically between those who took bee pollen supplements and those who didn't.
- Bee pollen does not seem to cause any harmful side effects unless you're allergic, which is not uncommon.
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Special Information About Bee Pollen
- No standard doses of bee pollen have been established. It's best to start taking a small amount and increase gradually over time.
- Bee pollen is traditionally collected manually at the entrance of the hive. Some pollen is machine-collected, some comes from inside the hive, and some from wind-pollinated plants (not from bees at all!).
- The actual nutritional content of bee pollen depends on the mixture of plants from which the pollen was collected. The plant sources vary with geographic location.
You Should Not Take Bee Pollen if You Have (or Have Had)
- Allergy to bee stings
- Airborne pollen allergy
Or if You're
- Pregnant or think you might become pregnant in the near future
- Treating a child under the age of two
Product Forms Available
- Bee pollen is sold as loose granules and compressed tablets.
- You can find bee pollen in capsules combined with vitamin E and other supplements.
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Bee pollen is made up of several ingredients. Its main ingredient is carbohydrates (simple sugars). Bee pollen breaks down into:
- 50% to 55% carbohydrates
- 6% to 30% protein
- 1% to 2% fat
- 4% to 6% vitamin C
- 6% amino acids
- 3% minerals and trace elements
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Advocates claim that bee pollen offers many benefits. Promoters particularly stress its antimicrobial effects -- it may destroy microorganisms that invade your body. Advocates maintain that by ridding your body of microorganisms, bee pollen can improve your immune system, lessen your allergies, treat disorders of certain parts of your body, and increase your energy level. Scientific studies have yet to be done to demonstrate these purported effects.
Common Uses
Bee pollen may help:
- Boost your immune system
- Energize your body
- Regulate your bowel movements
- Promote weight loss
- Relieve stress
- Prevent cancer
- Minimize allergies
- Treat prostate problems
- Reduce risk of heart disease
- Fight depression
- Ease arthritis symptoms
- Boost endurance level
- Combat premature aging
Remember that no health claims for bee pollen have been evaluated by the FDA.
Storage
Store bee pollen the same way you store other vitamins, supplements, and medications, preferably at room temperature in a dry place.
Dosage and Administration
You can find bee pollen in the form of capsules or an injectable form, which is not recommended due to allergy risk. Start with small amounts, and see if any side effects appear. If an allergic reaction occurs, stop using this supplement and notify your doctor.
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Warnings
You should not take bee pollen if you have (or have had):- Allergy to bee stings
- Airborne pollen allergy
Or if you are:
- Pregnant or think you might become pregnant in the near future
- Breastfeeding, unless under the advice of your doctor
Children
Do not treat any child under the age of two with bee pollen.
Side Effects
The side effects of ingesting bee pollen may or may not be similar to an allergic reaction to bee stings. These symptoms include:
- Rash
- Itching
- Swelling
- Wheezing
- Discomfort
- Anaphylactic shock (extreme itching, swelling, wheezing, a decrease in blood pressure, and a loss of consciousness due to a severe allergic reaction)
If any of these side effects occur, stop taking the bee pollen supplement immediately and call your doctor.
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Sources & Further Reading
Books
1. Balch, James, F., P.A. Balch. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Garden City Park, New York: Avery Publishing Group, 1997.
2. Bauer L; Kohlich A; Hirschwehr R; Siemann U; Ebner H; Scheiner O; Kraft D; Ebner C. "Food allergy to honey: pollen or bee products? Characterization of allergenic proteins in honey by means of immunoblotting". J Allergy Clin Immunol. 97(1 Pt 1):65-73. Jan 1996.
3. Facts and Comparisons: The Review of Natural Products. Facts and Comparisons, 1998.
4. Tyler, Varro E. The Honest Herbal. Binghamton, New York: The Haworth Press, 1993.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
Articles
1. Iversen T; Fiirgaard KM; Schriver P; Rasmussen O; Andreasen F. "The effect of NaO Li Su on memory functions and blood chemistry in elderly people". J Ethnopharmacol. 56(2):109-16. Apr 1997.
2. Shimanuki H; Knox DA. "Bee health and international trade". Rev Sci Tech. 16(1):172-6. Apr 1997.
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