The Beneficial Links between Bee Pollen and Diabetes

Down through the ages, bee pollen has been used and esteemed as a natural supplement by numerous cultures throughout the world. The bee itself is Earth’s miracle of nature, and produces pollen which is an amazing and naturally occurring substance. In fact, there is a bee that is preserved in amber at a New York museum that is thought to be more than eighty million years in age.

The bee is a little wonder of nature and has certainly been around for a long time, and has been mentioned within the Bible, the Koran, and the Talmud and even in ancient scrolls from the Far East.

What is Bee Pollen?

Bee pollen is a component of propolis, which is a resinous and waxy substance taken from buds by bees and used by them to make their hives and caulk them. Bee pollen is actually a powdery-like substance produced by any flowering plant which is then collected by the bees. The bees will actually gather nectar from different flowers, and while they do this they also collect pollen.

This is done by the pollen sticking to the legs and body of the bee while they are collecting the nectar. This pollen will then be mixed with a bit of bee saliva and nectar. This is when bee pollen is actually created. The bees will subsequently feed off this pollen so that they have the energy for their ‘busy as a bee’ lives, and it provides the proper nutrients for healthy growth.

Bee Pollen and Diabetes: A Powerful Ally?

The bee pollen itself contains many health giving nutrients that include potassium, sodium, iron, manganese, calcium, copper, carotene, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, plant sterols as well as fatty acids.

Bee pollen has become quite popular due to its capability of curing certain health conditions while also boosting the immune system. Bee pollen could be a powerful ally in minimizing the continuing effects of pre-diabetes or diabetes. The main ingredients in bee pollen are carbohydrates, protein, fiber, fatty acids and ash. The nutrients found in bee pollen assist the body in the following ways:

Thiamine (or Vitamin B1): This is used in the treatment of toxic side effects from medications and alcohol and in the treatment of shingles, heart conditions and diabetes.
Riboflavin (or Vitamin B2): This is used in the treatment of migraines, skin diseases, conjunctivitis and retinal adaption.
Pyridoxine (or Vitamin B6): This is needed for forming hemoglobin and combating nervousness, muscular weakness, fatigue, anemia as well as radiation sickness.
Nicotinic Acid: This acts in blood formation and is used for treating diabetes mellitus, toxic overload, neuralgia, tinnitus and migraine, and lowers cholesterol.
Pantothenic Acid (a part of the B complex): This effectively helps in curing wounds, skin problems, hepatitis, bronchitis, colds, herpes and gangrene.
Ascorbic Acid (or Vitamin C): This helps in metabolizing calcium and is beneficial against respiratory distress and colds. It also stimulates antitoxic effects.
Retinol (or Vitamin A): This is effective against night blindness, dry eyes and infections.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes can be described as a health problem wherein the body does not have the ability to effectively process glucose, or sugar, in the blood. A person can have either Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes. These are the two main groups of diabetes.

Most people will suffer from Type 2 diabetes which is caused by lifestyle factors. Some risk factors could significantly increase the likelihood of a person developing diabetes, such as experiencing gestational diabetes during pregnancy, obesity, leading a sedentary lifestyle, advancing age, and family history of the disease.

Bee Pollen and Diabetes: The Benefits

Bee propolis could help in preventing kidney problems that are diabetes related, for example nephropathy (kidney damage). Bee pollen itself is known to be a complete food. The tocopherol compounds or Vitamin E contained in the pollen assist in oxygenation at a cellular level.

The anticoagulant properties found in the nutrients help in improving blood circulation. The antioxidant compounds within bee pollen help in regulating the blood and are known to reduce the level of blood sugar and high cholesterol, or LDL. The benefits that are attained from using bee pollen are numerous, but these benefits will be of particular interest for people who are experiencing problems with diabetes:

A person could control their weight gain because bee pollen will increase metabolism and normalize chemical imbalances within the body
Bee pollen contains 90 calories per ounce which means that this low calorie foodstuff gives a high nutritional value for each calorie in comparison to other food sources
Bee pollen contains a good supply of antioxidants
Bee pollen relieves stress
Bee pollen contains Nicotinamide which is used in the prevention and treatment of diabetes
Mental and physical reaction improves
Bee pollen boosts the immune system, helping to heal wounds and fight diabetes (with the aid of Vitamin A, C and also E)
Strength, energy, endurance and stamina are increased (thanks to the Vit B3 complex)

There are certainly beneficial links between bee pollen and diabetes. In combination with a healthier lifestyle, bee pollen could increase a person’s overall feelings of health and wellbeing. Nevertheless, as is the case with any nutritional supplement, a person should always consult their doctor with regards consuming bee pollen. Products that contain bee pollen should not be taken by any person if they are sensitive to a bee sting because an allergic reaction can be fatal.

Diabetes is a condition that lasts for life and will require ongoing management so as to avoid any health complications that could be potentially life threatening. Diabetes has been treated by natural substances for a long time, but not all of these natural healing substances might agree with a person or their condition. Before a person uses a bee product or any other natural supplement, they should review the risks, limitations and merits of the natural substances with their doctor or healthcare advisor.

A healthcare practitioner specializing within clinical nutrition could provide the patient with relevant information concerning the products as well as their precise health effects.