(NaturalNews) There are many superfoods that boost immune function, but few do it with as much potency as
bee pollen. Through its unique combination of minerals, vitamins, amino acids and enzymes, bee pollen offers one of the most revitalizing natural superfoods in the world (especially when collected from
local bees who are in tune with your local environment).
We've put together a collection of research for you here, describing the health benefits of bee pollen. NaturalNews reminds everyone to
be mindful when consuming bee products due to the very high stresses already placed on
honeybees in North America and Europe. Make sure your source practices
organic bee farming and does not expose honeybees to high-fructose corn syrup or other
chemicals that may be harmful to bee populations.
Bee pollen has been used throughout history as a
superfood to restore energy and recuperative powers to the ailing individual. Bee pollen improves
allergies in many individuals, and hence may have a regulating effect on the immune system by helping to dampen unnecessary autoimmune attacks which saves immune warriors for the real
cancer battle. There is no toxicity to
bee pollen. Other bee products with extraordinary
healing properties include royal bee jelly and
propolis, which is the antibiotic compound used by
bees to disinfect their hives before occupation.
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Beating Cancer with Nutrition by Patrick Quillin, PhD,RD,CNSWhile the effects are not so dramatic for everyone with
arthritis, bee pollen is used by natural
healthcare practitioners around the world to help alleviate arthritis
symptoms. Energy Boost: Bee pollen is a popular
supplement among many athletes, who report that it helps them train hard and recover quickly. Many
athletes report that it helps increase stamina. Immune Support: Bee
pollen is reported to help strengthen the immune system. People susceptible to reoccurring colds and respiratory tract
infections may be helped.
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The Natural Physician's Healing Therapies by Mark Stengler, N.D.Bee pollen has more
amino acids and vitamins than other amino-acid-containing products like beef, eggs, or cheese. Bee pollen is one of the few vegetable sources of vitamin B12 (Scheer 1992). A tablespoonful of bee pollen contains about 45 calories and is 15% lecithin (which is required for normal
fat metabolism) by weight (Kamen 1991).
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PDR for Herbal Medicines, Fourth Edition by Thomson Healthcare, Inc.Bee pollen's
natural phenylalanine content acts as an appetite suppressant. Bee pollen helps build the immune system and provides
energy for the entire body. It contains 35% protein, 55% carbohydrate, 2%
fatty acids and 3% minerals and
vitamins. It is high in B-complex and vitamins A, C, D and E and contains lecithin. Where to buy it: Health
food stores, in the refrigerated section. Bee pollen is actually many small granules similar to the size of a grain of wheat or quinoa and is usually sold in a plastic container.
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Get Balanced-the Natural Way to Better Health with Superfoods by Jan LovejoyLike other bee products, bee pollen has an antimicrobial effect. In addition, it is useful for combating fatigue,
depression, cancer, and colon
disorders. It is also helpful for people with allergies because it strengthens the immune system. It is best to obtain bee pollen from a local source, as this increases its antiallergenic properties. Fresh bee pollen should not cling together or form clumps, and it should be sold in a tightly sealed container. Some people (an estimated 0.05 percent of the population) may be allergic to bee pollen.
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Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements by Phyllis A. Balch, CNCThe human consumption of bee pollen dates back to antiquity; it was frequently used in the Olympic games in ancient Greece. Today bee pollen is gaining increasing popularity as effective protection against many of the common pollutants in the
environment, including carbon monoxide, lead, and mercury. Bee pollen is used to treat allergies, since it desensitizes the individual. There have also been
studies showing that bee pollen strengthens the resistance of the immune system to both cancer and radiation.
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Optimum Health - A Cardiologist's Prescription for Optimum Health by Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D.Bee Pollen Description: Bee pollen is the pollen produced by flowering plants, which clings to bees as they gather nectar. Bee pollen contains many vitamin and minerals, as well as
flavonoids such as rutin and quercitin. It is thought that the minute amounts of pollens desensitize a person for the same pollen allergies.
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Prescription for Natural Cures: A Self-Care Guide for Treating Health Problems with Natural Remedies Including Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements, Bodywork, and More by James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D.Some bee pollen products are tainted with contaminants from air pollution (pesticides, herbicides) and environmental chemicals (heavy metals). Therefore, I advise that you only use a product from a company that uses a quality bee pollen source and tests their product to make absolutely sure it is not contaminated.
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The Natural Physician's Healing Therapies by Mark Stengler, N.D.Bee pollen is another potent antiradiation food as well as a general
health enhancer. Bee pollen helps to support the immune system and protects both red and white blood cells against their usual depletion from
radiation. Bee pollen is also high in vitamins A, B, C, and E, nucleic acids, lecithin, cysteine, and vital minerals such as
selenium, calcium, and magnesium. All of these
nutrients contribute in their own way in helping to protect against radiation.
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Conscious Eating by Gabriel Cousens, M.D.These
enzymes may be a key to long life: one study showed that many centenarians in the republic of Georgia were beekeepers who regularly consumed raw
honey, complete with pollen. Bee pollen is packed with amino acids (twenty-two, including all the essential ones), vitamins,
minerals, hormones, fatty acids, and thousands of enzymes. Bee pollen has been found to be effective in treating allergies, bacterial infections, asthma, capillary weakness, chronic
fatigue, immune depression, menopausal symptoms, nutritional disorders, prostate problems, chronic cystitis, and urinary tract infections.
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Whole Foods Companion: A Guide For Adventurous Cooks, Curious Shoppers, and lovers of natural foods by Dianne OnstadResearch dating back to 1948 found that animals whose diets were supplemented with bee pollen had a significantly lower tumor incidence. A study in Nature reported that royal jelly (derived from pollen) protected all mice injected with
cancer cells for longer than 12 months, in contrast to those in the control group, injected with the same number of cancer cells, all of which died within 12 days. In studies of women suffering from inoperable uterine cancer, those given bee pollen were found to maintain strong immune systems and to suffer less from nausea, hair loss, and fatigue.
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Alternative Medicine the Definitive Guide, Second Edition by Larry Trivieri, Jr.One of the flavonoids found in bee pollen is the powerful anti-inflammatory quercetin. And a paper in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2005 found that propolis stimulates antibody production, perhaps accounting for its reputation as an immune-system enhancer. Royal Jelly: Royal jelly is a special creamy substance secreted from the nurse worker bees that stimulates the growth and development of the queen bee; without it, she'd just be a regular old worker bee.
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The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.Bee pollen can be wonderful for improving focus, if the child is not allergic to bee stings. It is especially high in
B vitamins, which are essential for good mental health. Vitamin E with selenium aids
circulation, as do choline and inositol. Moreover, vitamin C, an effective free radical scavenger, builds the immune system and improves circulation. Research suggests that the amino acid L-glutamine is helpful for anyone with mental and emotional problems.
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The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing: A Comprehensive A-Z Listing of Common and Chronic Illnesses and Their Proven Natural Treatments by Gary Null, Ph.D.Your adrenals, which really take a beating from
stress, can be strengthened with
green drinks, sea vegetables, licorice, bee pollen, royal jelly, and ginseng. Many herbs have
antioxidant properties that help combat free radical damage related to an immune system weakened by stress.
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The Super Anti-Oxidants: Why They Will Change the Face of Healthcare in the 21st Century by James F. Balch, M.D.Since bee pollen is so high in nutrients, you might want to take it if you're detoxifying. When you detoxify, you reduce the intake of
foods that normally keep your immune system in good working order.
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The Natural Physician's Healing Therapies by Mark Stengler, N.D.One good source of B vitamins is bee pollen, unless there is an allergy to bee stings. Other good sources are green algae and the bioflavonoid
pycnogenol. And taking pycnogenol daily (60 mg) has the side benefit of keeping the skin healthy and young. Vitamin A is healing to the skin as well, and preventive against infections. Another important nutrient is coenzyme Q10, which provides oxygen to the tissues, helping them to heal. Herbs: There is an abundance of
herbs that support the immune system before or during an outbreak.
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The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing: A Comprehensive A-Z Listing of Common and Chronic Illnesses and Their Proven Natural Treatments by Gary Null, Ph.D.
About the author: Mike Adams is an award-winning journalist and holistic nutritionist with a passion for sharing empowering information to help improve personal and planetary health He has authored more than 1,800 articles and dozens of reports, guides and interviews on natural health topics, impacting the lives of millions of readers around the world who are experiencing phenomenal health benefits from reading his articles. Adams is a trusted, independent journalist who receives no money or promotional fees whatsoever to write about other companies' products. In 2010, Adams created NaturalNews.TV, a natural living video sharing site featuring thousands of user videos on foods, fitness, green living and more. He also launched an online retailer of environmentally-friendly products (BetterLifeGoods.com) and uses a portion of its profits to help fund non-profit endeavors. He's also the founder of a well known HTML email software company whose 'Email Marketing Director' software currently runs the NaturalNews subscription database. Adams volunteers his time to serve as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and regularly pursues cycling, nature photography, Capoeira and Pilates. Known by his callsign, the 'Health Ranger,' Adams posts his missions statements, health statistics and health photos at www.HealthRanger.org
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