Royal Jelly

Royal jelly is very potent, highly nutritional and very natural. It’s made in the bee colony as the exclusive food for growing a Queen Bee. While clinical human study is still limited, use over the ages has reported a broad range of benefits. Of particular interest lately, is the fact that royal jelly is one of the few natural sources of acetylcholine, the same compound our brain is largely made up of.  It is not surprising then, that Royal jelly consumption has been linked to enhanced  memory. Acetylcholine is also responsible for proper transmission of nerve impulses and healthy endocrine function, so it is also known for improving endocrine and hormonal balance which effects many body functions, from sleep to a healthier functioning thyroid. The glands that receive impulses from our parasympathetic nervous system, the ‘rest and repair’ division, are also influenced. A lack of acetylcholine, may eventually, leave us susceptible to a number of nerve disorders. It is important to remember that there are no simple reactions within our body, that it functions through overlapping relationships, but as a natural food supplement with a long history of providing some surprising health benefits, royal jelly certainly may be worth considering.

The chemical makeup of Royal jelly may vary slightly according to the location where it is found and type of flowers the bees harvest from. Studies show it notably increases energy levels and we know it contains many antioxidants that help combat damaging free redicals produced as an offshoot of our metabolic process. Around 12% is reported to be high-quality protein, with it containing every single essential amino acid our body cannot manufacture. Another well-noted health benefit is said to be help in lowering the level of LDL cholesterol from our bloodstream, the type of fat that can accumulate in arteries to form plaque when bound with free radicals. When combined with Bee Pollen, Royal jelly forms ‘Melbrosia”, and is used by some women to relieve menopausal symptoms. 

Analysis of one gram by the United States Department of Agriculture found royal jelly contains vitamins B1, B2, B6, niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), biotin, inositol, folic acid, in addition to vital fatty acids, sugars, sterols, phosphorus compounds and acetylcholine. B-vitamins are renowned for healthy nervous system function, among many other important roles. Royal jelly also contains a dozen key minerals and 18 amino acids including nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP).  In 1914, Acetylcholine (Ach) was first identified by Henry Hallett Dale for its actions on heart tissue. It was confirmed as a neurotransmitter by Otto Loewi who initially gave it the name vagusstoff because Acetylcholine is released from our nervous system via the vagus nerve. Both Dale and Loewi received the 1936 Nobel Prize in Physiology for this research.

Additional studies have shown that when acetylcholine binds to acetylcholine receptors on skeletal muscle fibers, it facilitates diffusion of ions by opening ligand-gated sodium channels in the cell membrane. Sodium ions then enter the muscle cell, stimulating muscle contraction. Acetylcholine, while inducing contraction of skeletal muscles, instead induces decreased contraction in cardiac muscle fibers. This distinction is attributed to differences in receptor structure between skeletal and cardiac fibers. Because it adapts to enhance different types of tissue responses, royal jelly is termed an ‘adaptogenic’. Its effect on muscle and heart tissue make it attractive for athletes.  

Royal jelly  is named from the fact that it’s the Queen Bee’s food. It enables a bee to increase size and weight and have an extended life span (40 times longer than worker bees). This earned its reputation as a rejuvenating supplement that slows aging.  In the wild, Queen bees will produce more than 2,000 eggs per day during the season after only being fertilized once. As incredible as that may sound, she can do this for up to five years. While weight gain is not usually the goal, due to its balancing properties, royal jelly is more often cited for weight control. Taking it for periods of 2 to 3 months should not increase weight.

Indications for use of Royal Jelly: fatigue, overwork, weakness and breathlessness, anxiety, insomnia, anorexia, bronchial asthma, liver conditions, pancreatitis, arthritis, gout, kidney conditions, stomach ulcers, healthy nervous system function, accelerated healing of fractured bones, skin disorders and promoting a healthy reproductive system. As with any supplement, periodic use is best, versus long-term daily use.

Royal jelly, as with any bee product, may cause allergic reactions. Selecting the purest quality bee products is important for effectiveness and safety. Risk of having an allergy to royal jelly is higher for those with allergies, especially those with bee allergies. Always begin slowly with ¼ to ½ dose when taking any bee product and watch for an adverse reaction before increasing your dosage.