June 16, 2009

Is It Safe to Eat Honey during Pregnancy

By : Angie Younce


Children under one year of age should not eat honey because it can contain botulinum spores. Mature digestive systems are more acidic than a young child’s and thus prevent spores from producing the toxin that causes the deadly food poisoning botulism. Children under one do not have the mature digestive system that can prevent this from happening. When young children eat honey contaminated with botulinum spores the spores can colonize the intestine. The spores are not toxic, but when they germinate the release dangerous neurotoxins that are absorbed into the blood stream and can cause paralysis.

Pregnant woman can safely eat honey. Pregnant Mom’s digestive tracts are acidic and will prevent the spores from germinating thus preventing any danger to the fetus from eating honey. Men, Women, and older children are routinely exposed to the spores that can be present in honey without any affect. (amazingpregnancy.com)

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June 3, 2009

A Guide to the Many Health benefits of Bee Pollen

Bee pollen is one of nature’s healthiest and most powerful “superfoods.” It’s been used as a dietary supplement for thousands of years. The early Egyptian and early Chinese civilizations both used it as a physical rejuvenator and medicine. The Greek physician Hippocrates, recognized as the father of modern medicine, used pollen as a healing substance over 2,500 years ago. Today natural health practitioners often refer to bee pollen as an herbal “fountain of youth” that can be used for everything from weight loss to cancer prevention. It may be nature's most perfect food.

Bee pollen has been shown to help people:

* lose weight
* increase energy, vitality and stamina
* enhance the immune system
* relieve allergy and asthma symptoms
* improve sexual function
* correct digestion problems
* slow the aging process
* prevent cancer and other diseases

One thing is certain: people who consume high-quality bee pollen almost always experience an increase in energy, zest, and physical endurance. This is precisely why thousands of world-class athletes supplement their diets with this natural substance.

What is Bee Pollen?

It's the dust-sized seed found on the stamen of all flower blossoms. The pollen collects on the legs of honeybees as they move from flower to flower looking for nectar. The bees secrete nectar and special enzymes into the flower pollen to create what we know as “bee pollen”. The pollen is usually collected by placing a special device at the entrance of beehives that brushes it from the hind legs of the bees into a collection vessel.

What’s in Bee Pollen?

Bee pollen contains an incredible array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, co-enzymes, and hormones. It is especially rich in B vitamins and antioxidants, including lycopene, selenium, beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and several flavanoids. It is composed of 55% carbohydrates, 35% protein, 3% vitamins and minerals, 2% fatty acids, and 5% other substances. Overall, it's one of the most nutritionally complete natural substances found on earth.

What Will Bee Pollen Do for Me?

When you first start taking bee pollen you may feel a significant increase in your energy right away, definitely within a week or so. Over time the consistent use of pollen will improve your energy, stamina, and endurance. You'll also probably notice a greater feeling of general well-being. Over the long-term, regular consumption of bee pollen will help alleviate many different health problems, slow down the aging process, and improve your quality of life.

What's the Best Pollen to Take?

Bee pollen is available in powdered forms, granules, tablets and capsules. Capsules usually contain other bee hive products such as royal jelly, propolis and honey. Pollens that come from multiple sources contain more nutrients than single source pollens. Because of the negative effects of air pollution the highest-quality bee pollens comes from extremely clean natural environments. (bee-pollen-health.com)

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