Bee Pollen

How You May Benefit:

Detoxify the body
Provide our bodies with detoxifying nutrients, such as cysteine, that protect us from pollutants
Enhance memory
Potentially improve memory and cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain
Increase oxygen uptake
Increase endurance by supporting the adrenal glands and reducing breathing and heart rate, unfortunately, only for rodents, though
Suppress appetite
Regulate appetite by providing phenylalanine, although admittedly, this is a pretty long shot
Improve lung function
Theoretically improve breathing and control allergic symptoms by providing quercetin, which reduces histamine release in the body
Enhance antioxidant status
Supposedly boost levels of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant in the body
Nourish the skin
Protect the skin as a source of rutin, RNA/DNA, and antibiotic compounds

Overview

Who knows why people have lavished such praise on bee pollen. We can't figure it out. After looking at the facts, we have to say there just isn't much evidence for using it to boost performance. Leave it to the birds and bees.

Usage

Amount and Timing: Typical amounts of bee pollen are 1 to 1.5 grams per day in divided doses or 1 to 2 tsp 1 to 3 times per day. You can also take capsules (580 mg), chewable tablets (500 or 1,000 mg), and tablets (500 or 1,000 mg).

For acute needs, a dosage of three times the above recommended amount can be taken for a short period.

Note: Pollen is also available as a liquid, tincture, cream, and salve. Note that the shells of the pollen grains are difficult to digest, which may limit assimilation unless the grains are processed in some way.

Temporary loss of mental functioning? Heck, who knows why an athlete would bother with bee pollen. It's a dog—no bones about it. We looked at all the claims: better breathing, better endurance, big muscles, improved immunity... and have to say that it just doesn't live up to them.

Safety Information

Toxicity:
Bee pollen has shown little evidence of toxicity; however, those with pollen allergies should not use bee pollen.

Bans and Restrictions:
None reported.

References

Dudov, I.A., et al., "Immunomodulatory Effect of Honeybee Flower Pollen Load," Ukr Biokhim Zh 66.6 (1994) : 91-3.

Hope, W.C., et al., "In Vitro Inhibition of the Biosynthesis of Slow Reacting Substance of Anaphylaxis (SRS-A) and Lipoxygenase Activity by Quercetin," Biochem Pharmacol 32.2 (1983) : 367-371.

Iverson, T., et al., "The Effect of NaO Li Su on Memory Functions and Blood Chemistry in Elderly People," J Ethnopharmacol 56.2 (1997) : 109-16.

Kvanta, E., "Sterols in Pollen," Acta Chem Scand 22.7 (1968) : 2161-5.

Masterov, G.D., and Nersesian, O.N., "The Role of Apitherapy in the Combined Treatment of Patients with Chronic Nonspecific Lung Diseases," Lik Sprava 3-4 (1995) : 155-8.

Middleton, E., et al., "Quercetin: an Inhibitor of Antigen-Induced Human Basophil Histamine Release," J Immunol 127.2 (1981) : 546-50.

Samoliuk, V.A., "The Indices of the Antioxidant System and the Status of the Cerebral Blood Supply in Patients with an Ischemic Stroke on Apitherapy," Lik Sprava 1-2 (1995) : 68-70.

Xie, Y., et al., "Effect of Bee Pollen on Maternal Nutrition and Fetal Growth," Hua Xi Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao 25.4 (1994) : 434-7.

Williams, M.H., "Ergogenic and Ergolytic Substances," Med Sci Sports Exerc 24.9S (1992) : S344-8.

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