Bee pollen has been used since ancient times by the Egyptians and Chinese as a "rejuvenator and medicine," according to Encyclopedia.com. Bee pollen contains many B vitamins, amino acids and enzymes; Still, there is no scientific research to prove the beneficial use of bee pollen as a dietary supplement.
Composition
Bee pollen is comprised of minute amounts of lycopene, selenium, betacarotene, flavonoids and vitamins C and E, according to Encyclopedia.com. Fifty-five percent of bee pollen is carbohydrates, 35 percent protein and 3 percent fatty acids. Three percent of the substance is vitamins and minerals, with another 5 percent being other substances, states Encyclopedia.com.
Significance
The substances in bee pollen -- lycopene, selenium, and betacarotene -- are antioxidants, which fight the effects of free radicals in the body. Supporters of the use of bee pollen as a dietary supplement point to the antioxidants in the pollen as one of the positive factors of the substance.
Expert Insight
Although proponents of bee pollen theorize it has many potential benefits, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support any of the theories.
The "Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan" published the study, "Regulatory Mechanism of Food Factors in Bone Metabolism and Prevention of Osteoporosis," in its November 2006 edition. Bee pollen, along with other substances such as wasabi leafstalk, was noted to be a factor in the promotion of bone metabolism. The study concluded that food chemical factors play a role in bone health.
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