Bee Pollen
DESCRIPTION
Collected from the flowers of plants, bee pollen is a source of carbohydrate, fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals (1).
Bee pollen refers to pollen collected from bees returning to their hives. Flower pollen refers to pollen collected from harvesting machines.
FUNCTIONS
Pollen is not an essential nutrient.
SUGGESTED INTAKES
500 mg two to three times daily.
Cernilton, three to six tablets OR four capsules daily.
SUPPLEMENTAL USES
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH):
Both uncontrolled and double blind studies have shown bee pollen to be beneficial to men with BPH. One double blind study showed that two capsules of bee pollen (Cernilton) twice a day significantly reduced symptoms of BPH (2). The effects of other types of pollen have not yet been investigated.
Hay Fever:
Pollen extracts taken orally can reduce Hay Fever symptoms in people allergic to plants (3,4).
However, dosage and type of pollen extract can vary with allergies to different plant species. Medical supervision is therefore recommended.
SAFETY
People who are allergic to inhaled pollens may experience mild to severe reactions to ingested pollen (5). Otherwise, bee pollen appears to be quite safe.
INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS
There are no known drug interactions or contra-indications for bee pollen.
REFERENCES
1. Stanley RG, Liskens HF. Pollens. Springer-Verlag: New York, 1974.
2. Buck AC, Cox R, Rees RW, et al. Treatment of outflow tract obstruction due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia with the pollen extract, Cernilton. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Br J Urol 1990;66:398-404.
3. Vourdas D, Syrigou E, Potamianou P, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of sublingual immunotherapy with
standardized olive pollen extract in pediatric patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and mild Asthma due to olive pollen
sensitization. Allergy 1998;53:662-72.
4. Horak F, Stubner P, Berger UE, et al. Immunotherapy with sublingual birch pollen extract. A short-term double-blind placebo
study. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 1998;8:165-71.
5. Cohen SH et al. Acute allergic reaction after composite pollen ingestion. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1979;64:270.
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