Bee Pollen contains a wide spectrum of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and oils, carbohydrates, 22 amino acids, 27 mineral salts, over 5,000 enzymes and coenzymes, hormones, peptones, polypeptides and globulins, high concentrations of the nucleic acids RNA and DNA, and a variety of antibiotic substances. It is also one of the few vegetable sources rich in vitamin B12.
Bee pollen is the dust gathered by bees from the stamens of flowers, and it is collected from the hive as small pellets, which can be ingested by people. It's good for your skin, increasing blood supply to stimulate cell growth, preventing dehydration and smoothing wrinkles. Bee pollen also contains the bioflavonoid rutin, which increases capillary strength. It's been linked to increased energy levels, and some boxers and other endurance-dependent athletes swear by it. The sugars in bee pollen are predigested, and they convert easily to glycogen in the bloodstream, providing the necessary sugar to feed the muscles quickly. For men, 50-percent of those with impotence have shown improvement in tests with bee pollen, and women may use it to alleviate menstrual pain and restore regularity. For those with hay fever, bee pollen helps build immunity to windborne allergens and can even help control asthma. In the digestive system, bee pollen has a soothing effect and improves peristalsis and relieves constipation. The endocrine system will also benefit from bee pollen intake, as it stimulates sluggish glands, a problem which is linked to premature aging and decreased immune response.
Bee pollen is said to strengthen the immune system through its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are used to deactivate free radicals in the body. Free radicals are byproducts of oxygen that can damage cells and are linked to many degenerative diseases, especially those associated with aging. They are also associated with the aging process itself. Antioxidants may block further damage and even reverse much of the cell oxidation already done. Bee pollen is suggested to help counteract the effects of radiation and environmental pollutants that weaken the immune system.