Herbal supplements can be appealing alternatives to prescription drugs because they may seem safer. Bee pollen is a nutritious and popular supplement, with a reputation for providing a variety of health benefits, but it is not likely to prevent complications in individuals with Graves’ disease. Consult your doctor before taking any dietary supplements, and continue following medical advice for treating your condition.
Bee Pollen and Health
Bee pollen comes from plant pollen granules that bees collect from plants and prepare in the hive to use as nourishment, according to Langone Medical Center. Bee pollen is a nutritious dietary supplement, with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, according to University of Utah Health Center. Individuals may take bee pollen because of claims about improving liver and heart health, preventing prostate hyperplasia and increasing stamina. No scientific evidence, however, supports the role of bee pollen in treating medical conditions -- including Graves’ disease. Bee pollen is not likely to interfere with medications for Graves’ disease, but it can cause severe allergic reactions.
Background on Graves' Disease
In Graves’ disease, your immune system produces proteins similar to thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH. The result is hyperthyroidism, which means that your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, according to Women’s Health. Smokers, women, individuals with autoimmune disorders and pregnant women are at higher risk for developing Graves’ disease, according to MayoClinic.com. No current evidence suggests that bee pollen prevents the disease. Symptoms of Graves’ disease include difficulty sleeping, restlessness, weakness and Graves’ ophthalmopathy, or puffy, bulging eyes.
Graves' Disease Treament
According to Women’s Health, successful treatment of Graves’ disease reduces the amount of thyroid hormone production and decreases its effects on your body. Oral radioactive iodine therapy and anti-thyroid medications may reduce the amount of hormone that your thyroid produces, according to MayoClinic.com. Beta blockers lower the effects of thyroid hormone on cells in your body, but individuals with asthma may experience trouble breathing. According to Langone Medical Center, bee pollen has a reputation for reducing respiratory disorders, but no scientific evidence supports this belief.
Relationship to Weight Control
Your thyroid gland and thyroid hormone help regulate your body’s metabolic functions. Graves’ disease is a type of hyperthyroidism, and individuals with an overactive thyroid tend to have a higher heart rate and hand tremors. You may lose weight unintentionally because of an increased metabolism. Some people take bee pollen to improve their metabolism, according to University of Utah Health Care. Increases in metabolism from Graves’ disease and from bee pollen could potentially lead to rapid weight loss. However, no scientific evidence supports that bee pollen helps with weight loss.
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