Bee pollen is a powder produced by the anthers of flowering plants and gathered by bees. It has been used as food for centuries and its medicinal records date back to 2735 B.C. Bee pollen contains all of the nutrients needed to sustain life and it is therefore often referred to as "nature's superfood." Bee pollen supplements are used for a variety of medicinal purposes and they are available as capsules, chewable tablets, soft gels, tablets, jelly, liquids and powders.
Nutritional Benefits
The exact mechanism of action of bee pollen is unknown, but bee pollen is nutrient dense and contains water, protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, antioxidants and up to 100 vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids. Phyllis Balch states in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" that bee pollen also has antimicrobial properties, meaning that it can help to fight harmful microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses.
Energy Booster
Bee pollen is rich in B vitamins, and B vitamins help the body to metabolize nutrients and create energy. As such, bee pollen is often used to minimize fatigue and improve energy and alertness. It is also used to boost athletic performance and is thought to increase stamina, strength, speed and endurance. Vanderbilt.edu states that some athletes take it to accelerate recovery and it is purported to help decrease the time required to maintain normal heart rate and breathing after intense physical activity.
List of Purported Benefits
"Nursing Herbal Medicine Handbook" states that bee pollen may help to treat anemia, body weakness, cancer, colitis, constipation, gastric ulcers, indigestion, infections and multiple sclerosis. It may also promote prostate and colon health, enhance libido, improve sexual function and increase sperm count, and relieve symptoms of radiation sickness in cervical cancer patients. Herbal-supplements-guide.com states that bee pollen is also used for weight loss because it is thought to increases the metabolism and it contains a substance called lecithin which helps to remove fat from the body. These purported benefits are largely based on anecdotal evidence however, and not scientific evidence.
Precautions
Possible side effects from bee pollen supplements include abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and decreased memory. Bee pollen also causes acute and chronic allergic reactions in many individuals, which can manifest as sneezing, itching, light headedness and gastrointestinal disturbances. Fortunately, these symptoms usually subside when the bee polled consumption is stopped.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", Phyllis Balch, and James Balch, M.D.; 2003
- "Nursing Herbal Medicine Handbook;" Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2005
- Herbal-Supplements-Guide.com; Bee Pollen Herbal
- Vanderbilt.edu; The effects of Bee Pollen on Energy and Weight Loss; Kendra Collins
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