Bee Pollen and Cancer
Bee pollen has been used as a natural medicine for thousands of years, including among the ancient Chinese, who were among the earliest practitioners of herbal cures. But does bee pollen help treat ailments that are prevalent in the modern world, such as cancer? Current research indicates that this simple substance, so common in many parts of the world, indeed can serve as an alternative or supplementary treatment for cancer.
What is bee pollen, and how can it help cure cancer? Essentially, bee pollen is plant pollen that is collected by bees from a wide variety of plants, and then mixed with honey and various enzymes secreted by bees. This pollen is generally deposited in the honeycomb, where it can easily be collected by beekeepers. As much as 40 percent of bee pollen is protein — more than in beef, eggs, or cheese — half of which is in the form of amino acids. Since the human body cannot synthesize amino acids, we must ensure that our diets contain an adequate supply of these acids, and bee pollen contains every amino acid that humans require.
Additionally, bee pollen contains active enzymes and co-enzymes, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids — which we also need to maintain healthy bodies. And more, bee pollen contains vitamins and minerals: all the vitamins that we require, and over 20 trace elements including iron, zinc, copper, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Because of this wealth of beneficial ingredients, bee pollen has been referred to as nature’s most complete food.
But how can this “perfect food” help prevent or cure cancer? Various studies suggest that bee pollen can help support the immune systems of cancer patients. A diet supplement of bee pollen may increase the number of immune system cells (white blood cells), which attack cancer cells. Also, bee pollen can improve levels of red blood cells, which are often depleted during the process of chemotherapy. A study done at the University of Vienna involving 25 women suffering from uterine cancer support these conclusions: all the women were treated with chemotherapy, but only some were given bee pollen. Those who were given the pollen had improved blood counts and suffered fewer side effects from the chemotherapy (such as nausea and hair loss); those who were not given pollen did not benefit from these positive results.
Other studies, on both human and animal subjects, show that bee pollen can help reduce an enlarged or inflamed prostate gland, both indications of prostate cancer. And studies of beekeepers in New England remarkably show that there is not a single case of cancer among active beekeepers in that region, nor any records of beekeepers who had died of cancer.
A study done by Nikolai V. Tsitsin, a Russian botanist, among people living in the Caucasus Mountains, showed a remarkable preponderance of centenarians: people living beyond 100 years, often well beyond that age. He found that beekeeping was a widespread occupation in this region, and that the people routinely ate bee pollen, collected directly from the hives and consumed, as part of the regular diets. Not only did these villagers live to an advanced age, but they maintained surprisingly good health.
Some of these studies are inconclusive, and we cannot conclude that bee pollen has magical properties to cure various kinds of cancer. However, results have been positive enough, and further studies on the benefits of bee pollen in treating cancer will continue to be made. And bee pollen’s overall benefits to one’s health, given the wealth of nutrients it provides, should encourage cancer patients and others, even healthy people, to consider regularly consuming bee pollen as a dietary supplement.
The Caucasian villagers consume bee pollen directly scraped from the bottom of hives. If you don’t have access to beekeepers or hives (and most people, particularly city dwellers, would not!), then granules would be recommended as a raw form of bee pollen that has not been refined or processed. A spoonful of bee pollen in this form is all you need, as a single dose consumed regularly. Or, bee pollen is also available in capsule form. However, make sure you are not consuming synthesized bee pollen; various efforts have been made to recreate this product in the lab, but tests have shown that the health benefits of synthesized bee pollen fall far short of the real thing.
