Bee Pollen For Allergies

Updated: 10th February 2020

Here, we look at the theory and evidence for using bee pollen for allergies – especially food intolerance.

What Is The Rationale For Using Bee Pollen For Allergies?

Food allergies and intolerance are often associated with incorrect balance of bacteria (microflora) in the stomach (or gut flora). The gut contains both ‘good’ bacteria and ‘bad’ bacteria.  According to research, helpful bacteria may assist in the prevention of allergies (1).

Thus, some people recommend bee pollen for allergies, because it contains beneficial microflora, which may therefore help with the prevention of allergies.

But......others argue that if you are going to use bee pollen at all, it is important to note that bee pollen loses many of these beneficial qualities once it is dried, and only fresh bee pollen contains them (2).

Fresh bee pollen is more difficult to get hold of than dried bee pollen supplements - it is also quite an expensive way of increasing the levels of beneficial microflora.

Alternatives To Bee Pollen For Allergies And Food Intolerances

It’s not necessary to take fresh bee pollen for allergies. There are other ways to increase the level of beneficial microflora in the gut:

1. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Go for organic home grown, rather than non organic. Non-organic produce can be contaminated with pesticides, which can destroy beneficial microflora /probiotics(3).
   
   
2. Are you taking antibiotics? Unfortunately, antibiotics kill good bacteria as well as bad.  Consult your physician.  See if it’s possible to use an alternative treatment to antibiotics  and address the microflora deficiency in other ways. 
   
   
3.  Convert to a diet with plenty of fresh, fruit and vegetable variety. 
   
   
4. Avoid processed foods which are simplified foods, and generally contain less microflora variety(4).
   
   
5. Reduce your levels of stress and alcohol intake(3).

References:

(1)Björkstén B, Sepp E, Julge K, Voor T, Mikelsaar M (October 2001). "Allergy development and the intestinal microflora during the first year of life". J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 108 (4): 516–20.
(2) The Healing Powers Of Bee Pollen by Patrice Percie du Sert
(3)http://www.infobarrel.com/
Probiotic_Probiotics_Good_
Bacteria_Lactobacillus_Bifidobacterium_and_Yogurt
(4)http://coolinginflammation.blogspot.com/2010/04/
antibiotics-gut-flora-food-intolerance.html

See these further sources of information about bee pollen:

Bee pollen and Weight Loss
A look at the arguments and evidence for using bee pollen to aid weight loss.


Health Benefits of Bee Pollen
Not only are some advocating bee pollen for allergies, there are a number of claims made about the benefits of bee pollen to health, including claims about its use for eye sight and improving athletic performance. This page looks at some of the scientific research around the claims and asks whether they contain any real substance, or is it just hype.


Bee Pollen And Nutrition
A look at the nutritional content of bee pollen, versus ordinary food. Bee pollen is not inexpensive, so is it nutritionally worthwhile to include it in the diet?


Bee Pollen Side Effects
An allergic reaction to bee pollen can be serious. Here’s how to recognize signs of an allergic reaction, and when to seek medical assistance.

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