In the eighties I was on a big health kick and I decided to begin using “Bee Pollen” to boost my overall energy, lose weight, and to improve my skin tones. I bought the bee pollen from a local health supplement store and I began to use it daily as prescribed.
I had been taking it for about two weeks when I first started having watery eyes and blurred vision, and it was like I was coming down with the flu. This went on for another week and my eyes were swollen and dark circled, and the drips continued. I knew I had a problem and I immediately stopped the bee pollen because I felt I was having an allergic reaction from using it; and within three days after quitting it, all of my symptoms disappeared.
I recently read an article on gq.com/blogs which provided some excellent information about bee pollen and I didn’t want someone to begin taking it without first doing some research about it. The article was most educational because it reminds people where the bee pollen actually is taken from; the pollen comes from a flower that collects on the legs and bodies of worker bees, and it finds its way into people when they ingest the bee pollen
Victoria Beckham is said to “love the stuff;” and in 2003, the New York Times stated they had found a 113-year old man who ate a spoonful daily and his family believed this was what was causing his longevity.
David Wolfe, an author, nutritionist, and the self-proclaimed rock star of superfoods and longevity world, says it is, “one of the highest protein foods there is,” and says, “Bee pollen has one of the highest contents of B vitamins of any natural food in the world, especially vitamin B5, which is associated with skin health.”
The FDA didn’t feel the same way about bee pollen; and in April, the agency actually issued a warning for consumers advising them not to take ZI Xiu Tang – bee pollen capsules touting weight loss; and stating it contained “at least one potentially harmful active pharmaceutical ingredient that is not listed on the product’s label.”
This is the problem with people taking any trendy supplement such as bee pollen. People need to understand that most supplements are not regulated and bee pollen is not either; and people like me and you are not educated about supplements. People should always consult a professional before starting a supplement of any sort because it may contain a harmful active pharmaceutical ingredient that is not listed on its label and make a person extremely ill.
The FDA has gone as far as to call some bee pollen a scam; and there isn’t any evidence to support it effectiveness when used. Heather Mangieri, a Pittsburgh dietitian, said, “It’s been around for years; and the claims surrounding the supplement are purely based on hype and not sound evidence.”
Don’t be like I was and begin taking bee pollen before checking it out thoroughly. I was looking for energy, a new weight loss, etc. and I got a serious allergy from it. I think about “what” might have happened with my health if I had continued taking it. I felt tired out and like I was coming down with the flu and all the time it was the bee pollen that was causing my severe allergic reactions.
Barbara Kasey Smith is the writer of this article and it is based on her experience with the Bee Pollen Supplement and an article she read on gq.com.