Approximately 400,000 Americans live with multiple sclerosis, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. There are medications that address symptoms and slow the course of disease, but some individuals may want to supplement treatment with natural supplements such as bee pollen. Before using bee pollen, talk with your doctor about whether this is safe and appropriate for you to use.
Bee Pollen
Bee pollen has been traditionally used in many cultures for thousands of years, but only in the past few decades in the United States. According to peer-reviewed medical information website Drugs.com, it contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, protein and trace elements. This supplement is said to help enhance athletic performance, ease constipation, boost the immune system, speed up wound healing and contain antioxidant properties. There is no recommended dosage for bee pollen because the supplement and its uses are still being studied; if you want to consume bee pollen, talk with your doctor about whether it may benefit you.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis, also called MS, is a disease of the central nervous system, affecting the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. It occurs when your own immune system starts destroying the protective cover on nerves called myelin. Without an intact myelin sheath, nerve impulses are impaired, causing the symptoms of MS. These symptoms can include fatigue, problems with walking and balance, pain, cognitive disturbances and bladder and bowel dysfunction. The exact cause of MS is not known but may have immunologic, environmental and genetic components. There is no cure, but MS can be treated with medications, occupational therapy and cognitive rehabilitation. Depending on the severity and symptoms of your MS, your treatment can vary at different points in your life.
Effects of Bee Pollen on MS
A 1990 study in the Russian journal "Vrach Delo" found that bee pollen helped strengthen the immune system of individuals with MS who took it in conjunction with the medications prednisolone and Proper-Myl. There is a lack of research studies and information on the effects of bee pollen on MS, and more research needs to be done to definitively recommend the use of this supplement for the disease.
Considerations
Bee pollen should not be used as a replacement to any treatments your doctor has prescribed; it is only meant to be a supplement. It may not be appropriate for everyone, so talk with your doctor about taking bee pollen before consuming it. If you have a history of allergies or allergic rhinitis, you may be at risk for having an allergic reaction to bee pollen, says Drugs.com. Tell your doctor about any allergies you have to help her determine whether bee pollen is safe for you to take.
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