Bees collect pollen from flowers and carry it in pollen sacs on their legs. They bring the pollen back to the hive for food. Beekeepers gather the pollen by covering the hives with screens. As the bees pass through the screens, the pollen rubs off onto the screens where the beekeeper collects it. Bee pollen is full of vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates and the 10 essential amino acids that adults need. Your body cannot produce essential amino acids, so you have to get them from food or supplements every day.
Arginine
Arginine stimulates your immune system, increasing nitric oxide synthesis for protecting against bacterial infections. The pancreas uses arginine to produce insulin and the pituitary gland uses arginine as a growth hormone. When taken as a supplement, it works as a sexual stimulant. Your liver depends upon this amino acid for neutralizing ammonia, and it is essential for muscle growth.
Histadine
Your metabolism releases histadine right before histamine when you have an allergic reaction. It repairs body tissue and increases gastric acid in your stomach to aid digestion. Histadine is essential for the production of red and white blood cells and for protecting your body from heavy metals.
Isoleucine
Isoleucine is one of the branched amino acids, working along with leucine and valine to regulate blood sugar, produce hemoglobin and help your muscles recover after strenuous exercise. It also aids in blood clotting and is an energy-producing amino acid.
Leucine
The major functions of leucine are muscle growth, skin and bone growth and production of the growth hormone. It is crucial for healing wounds and regulating energy levels during endurance events. During any physical trauma, leucine prevents muscle proteins from breaking down. Leucine also aids in keeping blood glucose levels normal. It converts into ketones that help the brain, skeletal muscles and heart to adapt to fasting or starvation.
Lysine
Lysine is an important amino acid, especially for children. Skeletal development and growth in children require lysine. It is essential for metabolizing fat, absorbing calcium and helps with collagen production. Lysine produces carnitine, which is a compound that makes nitrogen.
Methionine
Methionine aids your metabolism in breaking down fats, preventing arterial buildup that causes vascular disease. It removes heavy metals from the blood and acts as an antioxidant. Methionine builds smooth muscle cells, promotes platelet clotting and regulates energy levels.
Phenylalanine
Your body converts phenylalanine into tyrosine, which synthesizes the neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine. For this reason, phenylalanine is essential for brain function, mood and memory. Phenylalanine is necessary for normal organ function, especially your liver. Phenylalanine imbalances can cause seizures, neurological problems and hyperactivity.
Threonine
Threonine is an insulin receptor and synthesizes mucus in the gastrointestinal tract. It aids in breaking down liver fats and producing antibodies for a functioning immune system. Threonine is indispensable for energy production.
Tryptophan
Tryptophan produces the hormone melatonin in the brain. Melatonin helps regulate your body’s internal clock, allowing you to sleep. A disruption in melatonin production from tryptophan can result in insomnia. Tryptophan is also essential for niacin and glucose production.
Valine
Your body absorbs valine quickly for muscle protein synthesis. Valine circulates through your system to your heart, kidneys, diaphragm and adipose tissue. It carries oxygen to muscle tissues for energy and repair.
References
- New York University; Langone Medical Center; Bee Pollen; August 2011
- BeePollenBuzz.com: Bee Pollen Amino Acids
- Arizona University: The Chemistry of Amino Acids
- “Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism”; Sareen S. Gropper, Ph.D.; et al.; 2009
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