What You Should Know to Stay Safe and Healthy
It is easy to get carried away by the numerous health advantages of bee pollen and forget that just like any other natural supplement out there, there are also bee pollen risks that we all have to keep in mind.
There is no question that bee pollen is one of the most beneficial health supplements ever discovered by man. In fact, it just might be in the number one spot.
However, this doesn’t mean that it is completely safe for everyone to use. Here are some of the possible bee pollen risks that you should know so that you can stay safe and healthy.
1. Allergic reactions – Anyone who is mildly allergic to pollen or bee venom should test for allergic reactions first by taking a very small dosage of the supplement in the beginning.
If no adverse side effects are observed, the dosage may be gradually increased. But the best thing to do in this case is to consult a doctor before using the bee pollen at all.
2. Anaphylactic shock – This is probably the worst of all bee pollen risks, and it is likely to happen to people who are extremely allergic to bees. The throat and lungs will swell to the point of blocking the air passage, preventing one from breathing. Unless immediate treatment is administered, anaphylactic shock can certainly be fatal.
3. Overdose – Generally, if you take too much of a vitamin or mineral, what your body does is to simply flush out the unused excess. With most of the ingredients of bee pollen, this is the case so overdose would simply mean a waste of money.
But some pollen supplements also contain DNA and RNA, and too much of these results in overproduction of uric acid, which in turn, increases the risk of gout.
4. Upset stomach – This is quite rare but people have been reported to experience stomach problems shortly after taking bee pollen supplements. It is unclear whether the stomachache is the result of poor reaction to the pollen or because the pollen used was of substandard quality.
5. Contaminants – If you use bee pollen that has been manufactured in highly industrialized countries like China and the United States, it’s very likely that traces of lead and other industrial pollutants will be mixed in with the pollen. These contaminants not only reduce the quality of the supplement but can pose serious health risks as well.
All these bee pollen risks are very real but that doesn’t mean that you have to stop taking them and deprive yourself of the health benefits they can give. You just have to be careful in choosing which brand of supplement to use.