Bee Pollen

Scientific Name(s): Apis mellifera

Common Name(s): Bee pollen , honeybee

Clinical Overview

Uses of Bee Pollen

Although bee pollen is nutritionally rich, claims that it enhances everyday and athletic performance have not been reliably verified. It has been recommended for a variety of uses including the relief of constipation and prostatic conditions, to aid healing of wounds, and for its proposed antioxidant action. It also has been promoted as an energy booster, to strengthen the immune system, and to enhance vitality. Bee pollen has been used to prevent hay fever, but there is the risk of severe allergic reaction with this practice. Limited clinical information is available to support the use of bee pollen to treat any condition.

Bee Pollen Dosing

The optimal dose of bee pollen is unknown. Doses vary among products, as tablets contain varying amounts of bee pollen. The manufacturers' recommendations may provide more guidance.

Contraindications

None well documented.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Bee Pollen Interactions

None well documented.

Bee Pollen Adverse Reactions

Ingestion produces allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Attempts to hyposensitize by administering bee pollen may produce severe anaphylaxis and other acute or chronic responses. Although rare, bee pollen can cause serious adverse reactions, sometimes fatal, to some users.

Toxicology

Research reveals little or no information regarding toxicology with the use of this product.

Bee pollen consists of plant pollens, collected by worker bees, combined with plant nectar and bee saliva. Bee pollen is usually a mixture of pollen species from several different plants. These are packed by the insects into small dust pellets, which are used as a food source for the male drones. Commercially, the pollen is gathered at the entrance of the hive by forcing the bees to enter through a portal partially obstructed with wire mesh, thus brushing the material off the hind legs into a collection vessel. Because of the increasing popularity of this health food, this means of pollen collection has been supplemented by the direct collection of the material from within the hives.

History

The use of bee pollen increased during the late 1970s following testimonials by athletes that supplementation with this product increased stamina and improved athletic ability. Bee pollen has been used in certain cultures for thousands of years, but has become increasingly popular over recent years and recognized for its potential health benefits. Products containing bee pollen have become widely available through health food stores, drugstores, and online purchase, making bee pollen a popular nutritional supplement.

Chemistry

Bee pollen is a good nutritional source for drone bees. It has been described as nature's perfect food and is a highly concentrated food source containing a complex supply of quality nutrients. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, and amino acids. A number of traditional Chinese herbal formulas contain bee pollen. It contains approximately 30% protein, 55% carbohydrate, 1% to 2% fat, and 3% minerals and trace vitamins. 1 Vitamin C concentrations of 3.6% to 5.9% also have been found in some pollen samples. 2 Promotional literature lists almost 100 vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, antioxidants, and other compounds identified in bee pollen. The physiologic importance of many of these components is poorly understood. Bee pollen preparations often contain mixtures of pollens from diverse types of plants, and these pollens vary with the geographic origin of the material.

Bee Pollen Uses and Pharmacology

Articles in the lay press reported that athletes could enhance their performance by ingesting bee pollen; however, an investigation conducted by the National Athletic Trainer Association with Louisiana State University swim team members found no beneficial effect. 3

Research reveals no animal data regarding the use of bee pollen as a performance enhancer.

A 2-year, double-blind study found bee pollen “absolutely not a significant aid in the metabolism, workout training, or performance” of these athletes. 4 The results of a study conducted in track athletes suggested that runners who took bee pollen recovered faster after exercise and that bee pollen would therefore be of value in relieving common tiredness and lack of energy. Critics of the study found the test group to be small, the blinding to be inadequate, and the conclusions to be premature. 5

Cernilton, an extract of bee pollen, has been used in prostatic conditions for its presumed anti-inflammatory and antiandrogenic effects.

Research reveals no animal data regarding the use of bee pollen in the treatment of prostatic conditions.

There are limited trials in this area, with those that are available often being small, poorly designed, and limited in data collected. Studies using cernilton have shown a weak association with symptomatic improvement. It is recognized that further trials with validated endpoints, larger study groups, adequate controls, and well-defined exclusion and inclusion criteria are needed. 6 , 7 , 8

Other uses include combating the effects of aging, treating respiratory infections, treatment of endocrine disorders, and relief of enteritis, colitis, and constipation. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats fed bee pollen were found to have fetuses with higher birth weights and decreased death rates, suggesting that bee pollen is an effective prenatal nutrient. 9 Bee pollen administered to rats also was found to possibly display anti-aging effects. 10 Bee pollen has been reported to immunologically strengthen multiple sclerosis patients being treated with prednisolone and Proper-Myl . 11

Dosage

The optimal dose of bee pollen is unknown. Doses vary between products as tablets contain varying amounts of bee pollen. The manufacturers' recommendations may provide more guidance.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Reports of adverse reactions to bee pollen have been related to allergic reactions after ingestion by sensitive persons.

Investigators have reported allergic reactions after single doses among patients with a history of allergic rhinitis. The dose required to precipitate an acute allergic reaction was less than 15 mL of bee pollen. 12 The development of hypereosinophilia as well as neurologic and GI symptoms in a woman who ingested bee pollen for more than 3 weeks was reported. 13 These chronic allergic symptoms resolved upon discontinuation of the preparation.

Although infrequent, some reports of severe allergic reactions to bee pollen have been observed. A man 33 years of age with no prior allergies had an acute anaphylactic reaction 15 minutes after ingesting bee pollen. He recovered fully after emergency medical treatment with epinephrine, lactated Ringer's solution, and methylprednisolone. 14

One study describes an anaphylactic reaction in an atopic patient who ingested a small quantity of bee pollen. He had previously successfully responded to a course of allergen immunotherapy to treat allergic rhinitis. The case report highlighted that oral ingestion of even small quantities of pollens can cause anaphylaxis in sensitized atopic individuals. 15

In another report of anaphylaxis, a man 46 years of age with a history of seasonal allergic rhinitis took a 5 mL dose of bee pollen to treat his hay fever symptoms. Fifteen minutes later he developed paroxysm of sneezing and by 30 minutes experienced generalized angioedema, itching, dyspnea, and lightheadedness. He recovered following treatment with epinephrine, corticosteroids, and diphenhydramine. 1

There is a popular but unadvisable home practice of using bee pollen to treat allergic disorders. Despite the usually limited response to oral hyposensitization techniques and the potential for severe allergic reactions, this practice has spread considerably. Anaphylactic reactions can occur within 20 to 30 minutes of ingestion of even small amounts of bee pollen.

Toxicology

Research reveals little or no information regarding toxicology with the use of this product.

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