Royal Jelly, Bee Pollen Decrease Bone Loss from Osteoporosis

Since Royal Jelly is produced by honey bees when they eat pollen, it's not surprising to see both these products provide advantages. Bee Pollen is good food, containing all the amino acids necessary for humans, not to mention the full spectrum of vitamins, minerals and trace elements not usually found in foods... 

Royal Jelly and Bee Pollen Decrease Bone Loss Due to Osteoporosis in an Oophorectomized Rat Model

EklemHastalik Cerrahisi, 2012 Aug 23

Objectives:

In this study, we aimed to investigate whether royal jelly and bee pollen reduce the bone loss due to osteoporosis in oophorectomized rat model.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty-two female Sprague-Dawley mature rats at six-month-old, weighing 180-260 g were used in the study. The rats were divided into four groups: Sham-operation group, only oophorectomy group, oophorectomy in combination with royal jelly group, and oophorectomy and bee pollen group. The rats were sacrified within 12 weeks following surgery. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis before sacrification. Following sacrification, uterine weights were measured and tissue samples were taken to determine bone calcium and phosphate level with imaging through scanning electron microscope.

Results:

The uterine weights of the rats were found higher in Sham-operation group than the other groups. The difference among the groups was statistically significant (p=0.001). Total body BMD results were similar in all groups and there was not statistically significant difference (p=0.19). The lumbar spine and proximal femur BMD results were statistically significantly higher in the royal jelly and bee pollen groups, compared to only oophorectomy group (p=0.001). Bone tissue calcium and phosphate levels were higher in royal jelly and bee pollen groups.

Conclusion:

Royal jelly and bee pollen decrease the bone loss due to osteoporosis in oophorectomized rat model. These results may contribute to the clinical practice...

Royal Jelly also contains a male hormone testosterone. Because of this feature it may also be effective in men’s osteoporosis that could be induced by a decrease of androgen. Considering all these features, RJ and BP may be very beneficial in the treatment of osteoporosis.