Keep your Liver Detox with the help of Bee Pollen
Organic Bee Pollen
Origin: United States
Used part: Organic Bee Pollen
Description:
Pollen is the male seed of flowers. It is required for the fertilization of the plant. The tiny particles consist of 50/1,000-millimeter corpuscles, formed at the free end of the stamen in the heart of the blossom. Every variety of flower in the universe puts forth a dusting of pollen. Many orchard fruits and agricultural food crops do, too. Bee pollen is the food of the young bee and it is approximately 40% protein. It is considered one of nature's most completely nourishing foods. It contains nearly all nutrients required by humans. About half of its protein is in the form of free amino acids that are ready to be used directly by the body. Such highly assimilable protein can contribute significantly to one's protein needs.
Gathering pollen is not as easy as it sounds. Once a honeybee arrives at a flower, she settles herself in and nimbly scrapes off the powdery loose pollen from the stamen with her jaws and front legs, moistening it with a dab of the honey she brought with her from the hive. The enlarged and broadened tarsal segments of her legs have a thick trimming of bristles, called pollen combs. The bee uses these combs to brush the gold powder from her coat and legs in mid-flight. With a skillful pressing movement of her auricle, which is used as a hammer, she pushes the gathered gold into her baskets. Her pollen baskets, surrounded by a fringe of long hairs, are simply concave areas located on the outside of her tibias. When the bee's baskets are fully loaded, the microscopic golden dust has been tamped down into a single golden grain, or granule.
One of the most interesting facts about bee pollen is that it cannot be synthesized in a laboratory. When researchers take away a bee's pollen-filled comb and feed her manmade pollen, the bee dies even though all the known nutrients are present in the lab-produced synthesized food. Many thousands of chemical analyses of bee pollen have been made with the very latest diagnostic equipment, but there are still some elements present in bee pollen that science cannot identify. The bees add some mysterious "extra" of their own. These unidentifiable elements may very well be the reason bee pollen works so spectacularly against so many diverse conditions of ill health.
Health benefits:
Bee pollen may work similarly to anti-inflammatory drugs, according to researchers. In one study on rats, scientists found that bee pollen extract reduced inflammation in rats with swollen paws. Research on mice showed bee pollen had anti-inflammatory effects when used to treat their liver disease. Researchers have found that bee pollen has very high antioxidant properties similar to those of fermented foods. Antioxidants are naturally occurring chemicals that exist in plant-based foods, usually those that are red or dark in color, as well as fermented foods.
Some common antioxidants include flavenols (found in chocolate), resveratrol (found in wine), lycopene (found in tomatoes), vitamins A, C, and E. Antioxidants keep people healthy by counteracting oxidants such as air pollution and cigarette smoke that can damage the body. The liver is responsible for filtering toxins out of the body. Researchers found that in rats, bee pollen helps keep the liver healthy and can even help the healing process after liver damage. Researchers noted that the rats had no side effects in taking bee pollen, compared to silibinin, a medication that also contains antioxidants but can also cause harm.
A strong immune system is necessary for fighting off disease and keeping you healthy. One study found that bee pollen naturally inhibits allergic reactions in mice. Another study suggests that bee pollen has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. These properties could help kill off bacteria and viruses, such as staphylococcus aureus, which causes food poisoning.
Bee pollen could potentially work as a supplement that helps your diet and health. One study looked at rabbits that received a bee pollen supplement in addition to their regular diet. They had a longer lifespan and greater reproductive success. They gave birth to healthier, stronger babies compared to rabbits who didn’t take the supplement. Another study found that malnourished, old rats experienced improved muscle mass and metabolism after eating a diet that contained bee pollen.
Many women who take antihormonal medications often experience symptoms of menopause. One study found that some women with breast cancer who took a bee pollen supplement experienced fewer, less intense menopause symptoms than those who didn’t. Bee pollen can increase blood flow to the body’s nervous system, helping reduce stress. It’s also effective for tiredness, according to a review of bee pollen. Research shows that bee pollen can be used on the skin to speed healing, as it boosts blood circulation, kills bacteria, and moistens the skin.
- High antioxidant content protects from free radicals and chronic diseases
- Lower heart disease risk factors like high blood lipids and cholesterol
- Boost liver function and protect your liver from toxic substances
- Packs several compounds with anti-inflammatory properties
- Help you avoid illness by boosting immunity and killing bacteria
- Aid wound healing and prevent infections
- Have anticancer properties
- Ease menopausal symptoms like hot flashes
- Improve nutrient utilization, metabolism and longevity
Directions:
Adults can try adding bee pollen a ¼ teaspoon at a time and can increase their daily intake to two tablespoons a day. Children can eat bee pollen, too, and should start with only a few granules.
- Use Bee Pollen Granules as a topping over yogurt, cereal or oatmeal
- Add Bee Pollen to cooling homemade granola
- Blend Bee Pollen Powder or Granules into a smoothie
- Incorporate into raw protein bars, raw desserts or candies
- Sprinkle Spanish Bee Pollen Granules directly over salad
- Incorporate Bee Pollen Powder into salad dressing such as a honey mustard
- Sprinkle pollen powder over popcorn
- Use granules as a garnish on top of dark chocolate
- Use Bee Pollen Powder as a coating for sugared almonds or hazelnuts
- Toast whole wheat bread, smear with a nut spread and sprinkle with bee pollen granules
Contraindications:
Talk to a doctor before taking any supplements or herbs. Additionally, if you’re allergic to bee stings or wasps, you should avoid bee pollen. Discontinue the supplement immediately if you experience: itching, swelling, lightheadedness and/or trouble breathing.
Experts also recommend that pregnant women avoid taking bee pollen, as it may interfere with pregnancy.