Bee Pollen for Weight Loss | Experience this Buzz

Are you one of those who have tried hard to lose weight but have been unsuccessful till now? Do you feel shy to go to parties because of your weight?

Are you starting to get symptoms of diseases related to obesity? Then you are at the right place. Here you will get to know different ways to use bee pollen for weight loss.

Obesity and Problems Related To It

Obesity is a huge problem these days with more than two-thirds of adults being considered obese by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Obesity may just be inconvenient on the onset, but in the long run it brings a plethora of problems with it.

It makes the body prone to diseases like type 2 Diabetes, heart diseases, high blood pressure, fatty liver, osteoarthritis, stroke and some cancers (in extreme cases).

So who is overweight and what makes one obese? A person can be overweight due to excess body weight that may be resultant of muscles, fat and water. But a person is obese due to excess fat.

NIDDK suggests that BMI (Body Mass Index) is the most commonly used tool to estimate obesity. It is used because it directly correlates with body fat. You can use BMI calculators available online to find out your BMI.

They use weight and height data to calculate the BMI. Then follow the chart below to understand relationship between BMI and obesity.

People become obese when their body doesn’t consume the amount of energy they intake. An energy imbalance is created in their body and the excess energy is stored in the body in the form of fats.

But over eating is just a side effect of many other psychosomatic problems in the body like genes, hormones, eating habits, attitudes, lifestyles, emotions, etc. Most important thing that you need to know is that you have to get rid of the excess fat fast.

So, what is all this buzz about bee pollen?

We are hearing a lot about bee pollen and its benefits these days. Let us first learn what this substance is.

The beehive is a storehouse of very useful constituents that contribute lot as natural remedies for various ailments. History of mankind shows that bees have been man’s stinging best friend. California imports bees to pollinate its almond trees.

Honey that is extracted from the hive is used a common ingredient in the kitchen and you also drink honey water because of its various health benefits.

Other things like beeswax and honeycomb are also popular for their use in beauty and health industry. Bee pollen has been comparatively inconspicuous, in spite of being a super food.

Just as the name suggests, bee pollen is pollen collected by the bees. It is concentrated in the hive ready to be used by the queen bee. It is known to be mostly rich in carbohydrates, but also contains fair amounts of proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Apart from these, bee pollen contains the following nutrients in abundance: Vitamin B, C, D and most minerals, 22 types of amino acids, many useful enzymes, 14 different fatty acids, RNA, DNA lecithin / choline, phenylalanine, carotenes and polysaccharides.

As per recent research, lecithin and phenylalanine are very effective in weight loss and since then, they have become very popular among fitness freaks.

Bee Pollen for Weight Loss

When you get to know about a new product, a thousand questions start popping up in your head. Does this product really work? Does it have any side effects? How to use it for best results? Etc. You will get all your answers here, read on.

As mentioned earlier, bee pollen is loaded with essential nutrients and antioxidants that work together to energize, enhance memory, improve performance and lose weight.

It helps in restructuring the body systems gradually, training it to burn more fat and store less. Following is the order in which bee pollen acts on the body:

• It kindles the metabolism increasing the amount of calorie burnt. Chemical imbalances in the metabolism process are reasons of weight gain. These imbalances are amended by bee pollen regulating the appetite in turn.
• Loss of nutrients in modern foods deprives the body of nourishment, causing it to ask for more food than necessary. Bee pollen is packed with nutrients which makes it a natural energiser. An ounce is just 90 calories but provides a lot of nutrition to the body. Thus, it reduces calorie intake and the urge to eat more often.
• Food intake is limited as it puts a tab on appetite. Lecithin present in it ensures proper metabolism that burns up all the fat and stores none. So it is a two way mechanism: you are eating less on one hand and burning more on the other; weight control along with more energy and vitality.
• Antioxidants present in bee pollen neutralize free radicals, removes toxins from the body and prevents premature aging.

Bee pollen, therefore, helps in gradual and slow weight loss healing the body from inside out. There are many other benefits of bee pollen but those are added advantages for overall health.

One such benefit is that regular intake of bee pollen reduces bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in the blood stream.

Words of Caution

Bee pollen come in granular or pellet form and are yellow or orange in color. It is also available in tablet form. You should be very cautious about what type and form of bee pollen you are going to use

Some bee pollen pills, capsules and supplements for weight loss are very popular in the market and claim faster results than others. But supplements may be contaminated or contain harmful ingredients therefore, be very sure of what you are eating.

Bee pollen pills are available in the market that are endorsed by experts. You must check for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registrations.

You may also go for freeze dried bee pollen supplements that have the highest nutritional value. Store them in the freezer to save the nutritional benefits and increase shelf life. You can buy them online or health stores around you.

Side Effects of Taking Bee Pollen

Bee pollens may have some side effects in different people but there is little research to prove anything.

Before you start eating it consult your doctor, ask for recommended dosage and check for allergic reactions.

Rule out chances of interaction with other medication.
Side effects include:

• breathing problems
• headache
• fatigue
• stomach pain
• swelling
• nausea
• skin allergies
• rashes
• wheezing
• cough
• asthma reactions
• in some severe cases it can cause anaphylactic shocks too.

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology first reported the allergic side effects of bee pollen supplements in 1979. Though a lot of people have benefited from this substance, there is no clinical evidence to support its use in traditional medicine.

How to Take Bee Pollen for Weight Loss

In the first place try to go for a holistic approach rather than relying on just bee pollen to do all the work. Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Have regular meals and get good amount of sleep.

Drink lots of water and include a light exercise in your everyday regime. Avoid food with high sugar and fat contents.

Best way to lose weight is to eat small meals at small intervals. Plan your day so that you can take breaks and include these small meals loaded with bee pollen.

Start with a small amount of bee pollen and increase gradually, allowing your body to adapt. If you choose to take it in liquid or granular form, begin with a quarter teaspoon once a day and go up to one teaspoon twice or thrice a day.

In case of tablets take two capsules of 450mg to 550 mg, three or four times a day. For topical creams or salves with bee pollen use recommended dosage or as prescribed by your doctor.

There are many interesting recipes that contain bee pollen supplements, making them tasty and healthy to eat.

• Sprinkle bee pollen granules on your breakfast toast, cereal or food. Eat it regularly to increase immunity and reduce weight.
• You can mix a teaspoon of bee pollen in your preferred drink and have it daily. It is best taken with coffee, green tea or an energy drink.
• Mix one teaspoon of bee pollen granules, fresh juice of 3 lemons, pinch of cayenne pepper, some honey and pinch of powdered cinnamon. Blend it well and have it twice a week instead of lunch. If it is too strong for your taste, try mixing the pollen granules with milk smoothies or protein shakes.
• If you don’t have time for any of this, you can just swallow a teaspoon of granules with water every morning till you achieve desired weight.
• Take half to one teaspoon bee pollen powder 20 to 30 minutes before breakfast. Drink enough water after this but avoid hot beverages as it degrades its healing properties. Increase the dose little every 3-4 days till it becomes one tablespoon in quantity.
• Blend in an egg, one cup orange juice, a teaspoon on granules and a tablespoon of honey. Drink this every day in the morning on empty stomach.
• Smoothie Recipe: Take one banana, two prunes, one tablespoon of flaxseeds, half teaspoon of lemon and orange juice each, one tablespoon of honey and one teaspoon of bee pollen granules. Blend all ingredients in a mixer and drink in place of a meal, preferably dinner. You can substitute the juice with milk and add peanut butter for more proteins.
• Ice Cream Float Recipe: You will need two cups of fresh peaches, (or any fruit of your choice), four cups of milk, half a teaspoon of almond extract, a teaspoon of bee pollen, one-fourth cup of honey and four cups of vanilla ice cream. Blend half the milk, fruits and honey in a mixer. Pour it over the ice cream in a bowl. Then blend the remaining ingredients and pour it over the remaining ice cream. Eat it with extra fresh fruits of your choice.
• Pollen Popcorn Recipe: A large bowl of popcorn, one teaspoon of sugar, half a teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of ground bee pollen granules. Sprinkle the ground bee pollen over the popcorn. Add salt, sugar and enjoy.

These are a few ways in which you can add bee pollen for weight loss to your regular diet. You can easily add the pollen in granular or powdered form to your favorite food to make it even healthier.

You can find your own special recipe and have it every day. Keep a watch on the dosage though and do not double it up if you have missed having it the previous day.

Bee pollen are rich in nutrients that help in improving health in many ways. You will begin to feel the changes in your body within a week after you start taking the supplement.

You will feel energetic in the beginning and gradually your body will be molded to lose weight and control it forever.