Bee Pollen Dangers

Bee Pollen, a natural food supplement packed with vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, enzymes, and essential amino acids, has been known to have a number of positive health benefits, including weight loss, an increase in energy, strengthening the immune system, a longer lifespan, fighting allergies, digestive disorders and even more serious conditions such as cancer, but there is no proof that it prevents cancer. It also can aid the nervous system thanks to the protein and lecithin it contains.

Be Careful with Bee Pollen

• However, there are some dangers to consider when it comes to bee pollen. If not taken properly, an allergic reaction could occur that can result in skin reddening, wheezing, headache, itchy throat, hives and dizziness. Another bad experience that can occur with bee pollen is if you increase your intake too quickly, especially if you have a sensitive immune system that can cause the body to react badly to foreign substances. It's important to start off slow.

Allergic Reactions

• It's imperative to note that ingesting bee pollen can result in severe allergic reactions such as anaphylactic shock, which can cause death. This is symptomatic via a sharp drop in blood pressure and trouble with breathing. If you have allergic reactions to bee stings, taking bee pollen is probably not the way for you to go.

Take a Test

• A good way to assess your sensitivity to bee pollen is to conduct a small test first. You can do this by placing one pollen particle under your tongue; let it remain there until it's fully absorbed into the mucous membrane. This allows it direct entrance into your blood stream, so hypersensitivity and side effects can be ascertained rather quickly.

Tips for How to Take Bee Pollen

• Start off at a teaspoon each morning, roughly one-half hour prior to breakfast, and down it with water, juice or milk. Gradually up your intake until you get up to 2 tsp. a day, or 10 mg. Once you feel you can handle that amount without incident, you can even go up to a tablespoon, or 15 mg a day. As always, consult a doctor before adding any supplements to your daily diet.