Royal jelly is the food honey bees use to feed their young larvae and their queen. It's a substance produced in the glands of worker bees, and is basically what gives the queen bees their longevity and fertility. Over the years, royal jelly has gained the reputation of being a sort of cure-all, but there is little scientific evidence to certify this claim.
Features
According to the Health Services Department of Columbia University, royal jelly is a milky-white substance made up of 12 to 15 percent protein, 3 to 6 percent various fats, 10 to 16 percent sugar, 60 to 70 percent water and small percentages of amino acids, salts and vitamins. There is no significant amount of any specific vitamin or mineral that suggests royal jelly may be some type of miracle supplement.
Uses
Royal jelly has been used as a treatment for a variety of conditions, including insomnia, liver disease, ulcers and fatigue. People have also used royal jelly to strengthen their immunity, prevent diseases such as multiple sclerosis and arthritis, lower high cholesterol, alleviate certain menopausal symptoms and even as a way of fighting the signs of aging. Despite this long list of uses for royal jelly, very little evidence supports these claims and promotes royal jelly as the "cure-all" that so many believe it to be.
The Health Services Department at Columbia University states that several studies on rats and rabbits have shown that royal jelly does have an effect on lowering cholesterol, but these studies have never been published.
Health Risks
Royal jelly can pose significant health risks for people who are allergic to bees or honey, or for people who have asthma. There have been reports of severe asthma attacks, skin irritations, bronchial spasms, anaphylactic shock and death from using royal jelly. Though it is touted and sold as a harmless, beneficial supplement, royal jelly can actually be extremely dangerous and should be taken with extreme caution.
Misconceptions
People who sell royal jelly claim that it has numerous health benefits, but these claims usually have no roots in science. According to Stephen Barrett, M.D., royal jelly and bee pollen are advertised and sold under misleading assertions by manufacturers. Considering the danger that royal jelly can pose for some users, these claims are also extremely unethical to make. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has barred several royal jelly manufacturers from making these unsubstantiated claims in their advertisements.
Warning
Pregnant and nursing women are advised to not take royal jelly in any form. People with known allergies to even bee pollen should also steer clear of royal jelly. Always talk to your doctor before using royal jelly or any other supplement even if you don't have this particular allergy.
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