Bee Pollen FAQ

This bee pollen supplement FAQ is designed to answer as many questions you may have about the poopular naturally-occuring bee pollen supplement.

I get a lot of questions and feedback from people around the globe regarding bee pollen, and it's understandable.

Below are some of the questions I've personally received as well as questions my favorite supplement company has received (I've copied and pasted some of them as I think they are so germane here.

I hope this FAQ, which will grow in size, will help answer some questions you have.

Q - I hear that multi vitamins cause pancreatic cancer due to excess levels of Vitamin E, I'm thinking of getting rid of my multivitamin all together and just taking pure bee pollen, what do you think?

A - I want to emphasize I'm not a doctor. I dispute that vitamins cause pancreatic cancer. I notice doctors and allopathic practitioners never talk about pharmaceutical drugs causing terrible side effects only as disclaimers. To answer your question, I would talk to a doctor to make sure you're not allergic to bee products. Some are although the majority are not. As for a multivitamin, I recommend you look for a pharmaceutical-grade quality vitamin. That's what I use. Hope this helps. bee pollen granules

Q - I've heard somewhere that bee pollen has every vitamin, mineral, amino acid and enzyme known to man and that's it's nature's "perfect supplement." Is that true?

A - Yes, it is. It contains every known vitamin and is especially rich in the B vitamins pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), nicotinic acid (vitamin B3, and roboflavin (vitamin B2). It also has vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) but it's fairly low as is vitamin Dc calcium, and magnesium. Moreover, it has all trace elements that are essential for humans. Lastly, it has a complete and full complement of amino acids (the chemical units that make up protein).

Needless to say, protein is vital for humans in building and repairing cells. So, while bee pollen is a complete naturally occuring supplement, it should not be the only multi-vitamin you take. Superfoods like bee pollen, while impressive with its nutrient profile, is a supplement. It should supplement your diet, which should already be rich in vegetables, fruits and grains.

A - Yes, it does. Its phytochemical nutrient profile is astonishing. C.Leigh Broadhurst, Ph.D. (2005) in his book User's Guide to Propolis, Royal Jelly, Honey, and Bee Pollen, he says, "In terms of its phytochemical content, bee pollen is a powerhouse -- in fact, I'd call it the ultimate nutraceutical...Bee pollen's exact phytochemical profile is variable depending on the source plants, location, climate, and season. However, the following phytochemicals are consistently reported:

A - Yes and no. It will "sweeten" the sexual pleasure or the orgasm itself. That has actually been reported by users of it (admittedly this is anecdotal). As to the actual increasing of the libido itself, Carlson Wade (1978) in his book, Bee Pollen and Your Health infers that it can.

A - Yes, you can. I'm assuming you mean mix it in your stomach. So, for example, you take a multi-vitamin pill or something like that and then take bee pollen granules or a capsule. Either way, yes you can. In fact, the nutrional valence of the bee pollen supplment will be amplified and bolstered within you if taken together.

A - In my opinion, no. If you ordered the ones I take, I know those are made in GMP-compliant facilities. In New Zealand, vitamins are overseen by their equivalent of their FDA. I like that. The bee pollen capsules I take are a blend of specific enzymes and trace minerals that give the highest degree of bio-availability.

For what it's worth, I actually take both. I like adding the granules to smoothies and shakes, which I make a lot of. The other ingredients in smoothies mask the taste of the bee pollen granules, which is kind of chalky tasting. (I don't particularly like that taste but some people do.)

A - Bee pollen comes from the pollen from flowers that collects on the legs and bodies of worker bees. It can also include amounts of nectar and bee saliva. Once collected it goes through a strict cleansing process in order to ensure it is contaminant-free and pure. For more nutritional information on bee pollen, click here to go to my vital bee pollen information page.

Q - I have heard stories of people using bee pollen for improving athletic performance. Can it help?

A - According to a one study I read, no it won't. However, according to Carlson Wade (1978) in his book, Bee Pollen and Your Health, many athletes have used bee pollen supplements to augment their training regimes and diet. My personal experience is that bee pollen increases one's energy as well as providing other health benefits.

A - To answer your question, I would REALLY advise you to talk to a doctor first. While it's remote, some people have allergies to bee stings and bee products. Yes, please DO NOT give the children any bee pollen before you talk to a doctor first. I believe bee pollen is safe but don't take my word for it.

Talk to a doctor first. It's better to be safe and cautious. My instinct is that it will be okay in small amounts for children for if they can eat honey, they should be okay with bee pollen. But, there is a chance they could have an allergic reaction to it. Plus, some doctors recommend that children should not even take honey until at least 12 years of age. It's definitely safe to talk to a doctor.

Q - How does a company certify that their BP is organic when bees are foragers? I went to a health food store and they told me that it isn't possible to get organic BP due to how bees gather work gathering the material.

A - Great question. How pristine the area is that the bees frequent is the key. The bee pollen I personally use is produced by bees in New Zealand. The specific areas the bees occupy is free of pollution and other contaminants. That's a key and that is what I meant in my writings and videos on it. Plus, the manufacturing of the bee pollen capsules is done in GMP-compliant facilities. Also, the quality & certification of the laboratory and independent audits certifying quality is key too.

Q - How does bee pollen help to increase energy and improve other body functions?

A - The known nutrient breakdown is thought to be something around 35% protein, 55% carbohydrates, 2% fatty acids and 3% minerals and vitamins, including concentrations of B-complex vitamins, vitamins A, C, D, and E, plus beta carotene, selenium, and lecithin.

There may however still be many nutrients that so far remain scientifically undiscovered in bee pollen as yet, and these may bring about other properties and abilities in the future. Studies into the components of bee pollen continue.

Research has so far demonstrated that bee pollen has an ability to enhance vitality, energy and endurance, and to help expel toxins.

A - Unfortunately there is no such thing as a "cure all" supplement or ingredient. All ingredients need to work in conjunction with many others, and along with good lifestyle choices, diet, exercise and fluid intake, to bring about optimum longevity.

However, one of the contributors of ageing is the destruction free radicals can cause as they change the cells of the body, causing major chronic disease and cancers. Research does show that bee pollen is a good anti-oxidant and therefore, as part of a full health regime, may help to protect cells from decaying and changing chemically.

A - Bee pollen has been shown to be in clinical studies as well as supported by anecdotal evidence that is is a useful aid to weight loss as it has a stimulating effect on metabolic processes, increasing fat metabolism and expenditure.

Q - I heard somewhere that bee pollen actually caused kidney in a man. This man supposedly used it for like six months straight and died. Do you know anything about this?

A - Yes, I do. The study you're referring to, I believe, was published in the February 2010 issue of Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis. You can see the abstract here. This is what the abstract says: "We report a case of renal failure associated with the ingestion of bee pollen containing nutritional supplement. A 49-year-old male patient who had been ingesting a nutritional supplement for more than five months had breathing difficulties, anuria, exceptional weight gain (20 kg) due to systemic edema, and loss of appetite. A renal biopsy confirmed interstitial nephritis with the presence of eosinophils, which is suggestive of drug-induced acute renal failure. The nutritional supplement was ceased and hemodialysis begun. The patient's condition improved after several hemodialysis sessions, which were then stopped. Current information regarding the adverse effects of bee pollen is not very robust, therefore potential damage should be kept in mind before ingesting nutritional supplements in which it is contained. This report serves as an important reminder to the public as well as healthcare providers of the potential of renal failure related to nutritional supplements."

Also, the study was conducted and overseen by Japanese researchers in Japan. This is obviously serious. Without having read the study in its entirety, I will assume the researchers are completely accurate in their contentions. Does this mean bee pollen should not be taken as a supplement?

Q - I am allergic to pollen, will taking bee pollen as a supplement affect me?

A - It could. To be safe, you should talk to your doctor and have him/her check to see if you are allergic to bee honey and other bee products. This is very serious as if you are allergic to bee honey, chances are you could be allergic to bee pollen. Nevertheless, bee pollen has actually been shown to help, rather than exacerbate allergic reactions of all kinds, even where pollen allergies themselves are concerned. This is due to a type of ‘desensitisation’ process going on if bee pollen is taken in small doses by a susceptible person. Our particular formula provides an advantage here as it is not the typically found granule form (which can produce sensitivities), but from a pure source, immediately powdered by specific non-chemical processes, and include enzymes that will help with the absorption, ingestion, and assimilation process, as well as enhancing the properties of the pure pollen itself. bee pollen and honey

Although I would advise caution for anyone known to have a pollen allergy, it may be possible for you to take good, quality bee pollen, beginning in very small doses under careful monitoring, as you may find that it actually benefits your previous allergic hay fever responses. First, though, see your doctor.

Q - Can people who are allergic to bees and bee stings take bee pollen and other bee products?

A - The allergy is to the venom, not to the bee or its pollen, so most people will be fine. However, there is still a chance it could cause an allergic reaction. Talk to a doctor before you take bee pollen supplements. Have him/her check and see if you are allergic to bee honey and bee products in general. That said, maybe 1/10th of a percent of the population will have a problem taking bee products, but the vast majority won’t. However, as with any new supplement, especially if you are known to have sensitivities, begin taking it gradually, and make sure that you are not having any adverse reactions. If your reactions are known to be severe or life-threatening, again it is highly advisable to check with your licensed physician prior to beginning on such a supplement.

A - Bee Pollen contains many nutrients and may be helpful for athletic endurance, stress, immune system improvement, allergy-resistance, sexual health and general energy as part of an appropriate diet and supplement program. Please ask us for more individual help.

A - I use this bee pollen supplement here. I also use the granules, which I put into smoothies, shakes, oatmeal, and my own personally made grain cereal.

This bee pollen supplement FAQ page will be growing in time as I receive more questions through my email so you might want to check back. Thanks for visiting this site.

References:
Broadhurst, C. Leigh. (2005). User's guide to propolis, royal jelly, honey, and bee pollen. CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.

Wade, Carlson. (1978). Bee pollen and your health. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing.

Bee Pollen Supplement FAQ