The risk of encountering bee pollen side effects is something you should be aware of if you’re considering taking a pollen supplement.
Though only a tiny percentage of people have cause for concern, for those who are at risk, the consequences of taking bee pollen could be very serious.
What are the Risks?
There are several potential problems that you might encounter if you take bee pollen as a supplement to your diet.
If you encounter any of these problems, the most likely outcome is that you’ll just experience some temporary discomfort. But there’s the potential that you’ll experience a much more serious outcome.
The potential risks of consuming bee pollen include:
Nausea:
Some people experience a mild form of nausea when they first begin to take bee pollen supplements.
For most, the symptoms are mild and temporary. And when they occur, the symptoms usually disappear not long after beginning to take the supplement on a daily basis.
When beginning a program of bee pollen supplementation, consider taking very small doses at first. Gradually working up to the daily recommended dose can help to prevent or minimize problems with nausea.
Anaphylactic Shock:
For a very small minority of people, there’s a far more serious risk to taking a bee pollen supplement – anaphylactic shock.
Just as with a bee sting, for those susceptible, a systemic allergic reaction to bee pollen could potentially be life threatening.
If shortness of breath, hives, stomach cramps, heart palpitations, or light-headedness are experienced after taking bee pollen, seek immediate medical attention.
Anaphylactic shock has the potential to kill within seconds.
Who’s at Risk?
If you have a known sensitivity to bee stings or airborne pollen, you have a greater risk of experiencing an adverse reaction from taking bee pollen.
Also, certain medications – both prescription and over-the-counter – have been known to interact with bee pollen in generating negative side-effects.
It’s also recommended that women who are pregnant or nursing avoid taking bee pollen supplements.
Bee Pollen is Perfectly Safe for Most People
There may be many potential benefits to taking bee pollen.
And in spite of the fact that the evidence is mostly limited to anecdotal reports, many people strongly believe that their health and quality of life have been improved by taking bee pollen supplements.
So if you’re considering taking pollen, just be aware that there are some potential side effects that may result from taking bee pollen.
And if you have any doubt whether pollen may pose a risk to you, consult your doctor before taking bee pollen supplements.
