Bee pollen is 40 percent pure protein, which makes it denser in protein than any source of protein from animals.
It’s also a safer source of protein, when compared with animal proteins, because it doesn’t contain saturated fats.
Also, bee pollen contains 18 vitamins, 25 minerals, 59 trace elements, 14 fatty acids and is extremely rich in carotenes, which are precursors of vitamin A.
It’s also rich in B complex, vitamins C, D, E and Lecithin, which is a lipid that helps keep cell membranes healthy.
Bee pollen is not only the richest source of vitamins found in nature, it’s also the richest source of rutin. Rutin is in a class of flavinoids that also contain querctin, hesperidin, eriodicyl and citron.
These flavinoids are essential for the absorption of vitamin C.
Rutin is an important nutritional supplement because of its ability to strengthen capillaries. This action helps people with arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high blood pressure or venous insufficiency. There are also trace elements found in bee pollen that modern science can’t even identify. That is believed to be another reason bee pollen packs such a nutritional punch.
By the way, bee pollen is good for dogs, cats, and even horses.
Bee pollen is available in health food stores in many varieties such as whole granules, wafers, powders and capsules.
I get most of my bee pollen from Nature’s Storehouse in Tryon. They carry bee pollen from a company called Y.S. Organics.
Y.S. Organics is one of only three companies, nationwide, to carry strictly “organic” bee pollen. I recommend to start taking bee pollen slowly. Any bee product could cause allergic reactions in some people.
I recommend to start taking bee pollen by placing a couple of granules under your tongue to test for sensitivity, like sneezing, itching, swelling, rash or flushing. If you experience any allergic reaction, seek medical help. If no allergic reaction occurs, gradually increase to one to two teaspoons a day, or more.
Pollen granules do have cell walls so chew for better nutrient absorption. Just because you have pollen allergies doesn’t mean you can’t take bee pollen.
Pollens responsible for allergies are airborne or anemphilous.
The type of pollen collected by bees is called entomophilous. Pregnant women however, should not take bee pollen. Also, nursing mothers shouldn’t.
Diet or exercise question? Email me at dwcrocker77@gmail.com or visit fitness4yourlife.org. David Crocker of Landrum has been a nutritionist and personal trainer for 26 years.
He served as strength director of the Spartanburg Y.M.C.A., head strength coach for the S.C. state champion girls gymnastic team, USC-Spartanburg baseball team, Converse college equestrian team, lead trainer to L.H. Fields modeling agency, and taught four semesters at USC-Union. David was also a regular guest of the Pam Stone radio show.