To Bee or Not to Bee: Interesting Bee Pollen Info

Bee pollen used to be just the domain of serious athletes but now its magnificent health benefits are gaining more and more popularity. The health benefits of bee pollen and its curative properties can be traced back to the Romans, Egyptians, Chinese and Russians. Both Hippocrates and Pythagoras prescribed bee pollen for its healing qualities. 

According to the book, The World's Only Perfect Food: The Bee Pollen Bible by Royden Brown and Bee Pollen and Your Health by Carlson Wade, one can live on a diet of only bee pollen and water. Carlson said one could live off of 20 to 30 grams.

This claim was put to the test by one Robert Delperee of The Royal Society of Naturalists of Belgium and France.

He fed numerous generations of rodents (rats) a diet exclusively of bee pollen granules. According to Delperee's test, all the rats were healthy and showed remarkable fertility.

Where Does Bee Pollen Come From?

This flower pollen that bees instinctually collect is one of the most complete foods in nature. It is mentioned in the same breath by those in the know with spirulina (an algae superfood), ginseng, goji berries and even cayenne pepper. Bee pollen granules, which is its natural state, taste chalky to the taste. Some don't like the taste (I don't) and so mask its taste by putting the granules in a shake or in cereal.

Others take a bee pollen supplement that preserves the nutrition of the bee pollen. Let's talk about that well-publicized bee pollen health nutrition data.

The list of ingredients in bee pollen is remarkable. Just one bee pollen granule has: all the essential amino acids, a complete spectrum of vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates, fatty acids, co-factors or trace elements, enzymes, antioxidants (important to deter aging), and hormone precursors, which stimulate hormone production and help anti-aging.

Specifically, the nutrient breakdown is approximately 35% protein, 55% carbohydrates, 2% fatty acids and 3% minerals and vitamins, including concentrations of energy-giving B-complex vitamins, vitamins A, C (an antioxidant), D, and E (critical to slowing down aging), plus beta carotene, selenium, and lecithin.  (Lecithin helps contribute to weight loss.)

Just one bee pollen grain or granule is a minute golden particle produced by the thousand. It's literally the flower equivalent of sperm. That said, it's different from the type of pollen that blows in the wind searching for a female flower to "impregnate."

That kind of pollen can cause hay fever and many are allergic to it. That type of pollen is larger, heavier and different in its biology from the bee pollen that relies on the humble yet talented bee to do his work.

Here's how it's made. Bees instinctively search for the best quality pollen and when found, they bind it with enzymes so as to facilitate its digestion in their pollen sacks. These fine golden pellets are then collected from the bees' legs using a small mesh that is smartly placed by beekeepers at the entrance to the hive. The pollen scraps off and voila, you have bee pollen.

By adding bee pollen granules or a good bee pollen supplement that is made in GMP-compliant facilities, you will be tremendously improving your health.

Health Benefits of Bee Pollen

Some of the immediate benefits are:

• It is also great for a quick energy boost. Dr. Kurt Donsbach, author of Bee Pollen, said that boxer Muhammad Ali floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee by taking bee pollen. (Of course, he also trained rigorously and ate smart when preparing for fights as well.)
• It's great for the libido
• It helps facilitate weight loss
• It's inexpensive
• It's easy to take

There are a couple of ways to get bee pollen supplements. Here they are:

• Bee pollen granules
• Bee pollen supplement tablets

Pollen is also widely used for the alleviation of an enlarged prostate, something of interest to any man over 35. Plus, there is anecdotal evidence that it can help to relieve insomnia, aid digestion and improve ones moods. Regular intake can help to protect against allergies, including mild hay fever - a case of the cause also being the cure.

As mentioned, bee pollen can be found in capsules, but many experts prefer the fresh granule product, believing processing breaks down some of the bee pollen's nutritional potency. They could be right. As a nutritional supplement, Susan Fletcher, a nutritional consultant in Norfolk, Virginia, recommends a tablespoon a day.

You can easily achieve that if you sprinkle it on cereal, mix it with honey, or blend it into a smoothie. I also personally recommend taking it as part of a tea although I do put it in smoothies as well.

I mix a teaspoon of bee pollen granules into ginseng tea and add a teaspoon of two of bee's honey. This drink not only tastes good but it astonishingly nutritious. It will give you tremendous energy. Try it and you'll see.

In a newspaper article in The Guardian (London), June 21, 2003, Susan Fletcher said, "The good thing about pollen is that it is completely safe for everyone, even pregnant women," says Fletcher, who also claims that members of the English royal family, namely, Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson, supplemented their pregnancies with bee health products.

Fletcher also says bee pollen:

• Strengthens the immune system
• Is a natural alternative to Viagra or Cialis
• Helps with conception problems as it stimulates the ovaries and improves egg quality
• Improves hair and nail health

She's right.

Conclusion

In closing, bee pollen is truly one of the world's greatest foods or supplements. If you decide to take it, you have two options as mentioned. If buying bee pollen granules, look for pollen that is sourced in pristine areas. Some commercial brands of pollen are subjected to air pollution and that is to be avoided.

If you decide to go the bee pollen vitamin route, look for bee pollen that is harvested and immediately flash frozen so as to preserve its nutritional goodness. While I use bee pollen granules, I have also been using a bee pollen supplement for five years to great effect. It is sourced in New Zealand in an area that borders one of its largest national parks. There is no commercial industry in that area either. I also use, though, bee pollen granules to drop in smoothies, use in cereal, and add to herbal teas.

For more info on the one I use, please click on this bee pollen supplement.

I hope this web page has been helpful for you.

Yours in health,
BeePollenSecrets.com