This blog was written by Chelsea, our on-staff Holistic Nutritionist! Book sessions with Chelsea over on our registration site at https://reconline.yorkulions.ca/
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Many people have heard of Royal Jelly, but it’s also known as “bee milk”, “bee saliva”, and even “bee spit”. If you’re anything like me, you prefer the sound of royal jelly!
Royal Jelly is the only food of Queen bees and allows them to thrive for an average of 5 years, some even 7 years! Considering those worker bees are lucky to see 5 weeks of life, 7 years is incredible, isn’t it?
Queen bees can feed on honey in the hive but are more often fed a mixture of Royal Jelly and Honey by worker bees.
So, let’s dive in and talk about the benefits, possible side effects, and more when it comes to Royal Jelly!
Possible Health Benefits
Royal jelly contains multiple components. It is made up of water, around 11% carbohydrates, 13% protein, 5% fat, and numerous minerals, trace elements, and vitamins. Royal jelly also contains amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid, as well as enzymes. Here are some potential benefits of royal jelly:
· Royal jelly has many wide-ranging effects on the health of its consumers. Jelly supplements sold today are believed to be effective against fatigue and stress. Some research on animal models has also supported this claim. A mouse was given royal jelly, and the interpretation of the results showed a marked increase in the endurance of the mice.
· Royal jelly shows antimicrobial properties, and some researchers believe that just like maternal antibodies provide immunity to a newborn baby, similarly, royal jelly provides immunity to the hive as it has proven effective against yeast and some other strains of fungi. Interestingly, in an experiment, royal jelly was tested against several bacteria, and was noted that jelly was effective against commonly found bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
· Apart from being an energy booster, royal jelly also acts as a cardioprotective. Some studies have shown that it lessens LDL (aka “bad cholesterol”) levels and lowers blood pressure. Studies have suggested that even 0.1g of royal jelly consumed lessens the cholesterol level by 14%.
· Due to its hormonal balancing properties, royal jelly has been shown to increase fertility in animal trials. For example, quails fed with royal jelly reached maturity faster, and hens that consumed royal jelly showed a rise in egg production. Similarly, rabbits fed with royal jelly showed increased fertility.
· One of the most known and widely used attributes of royal jelly is its use in cosmetics. Jelly contains collagen, which can help to reduce wrinkles on the skin and promote regrowth, as well as skin elasticity. Often it is used in cosmetic products such as shampoos and conditioners for its cosmetic properties.
Also…
· It may contribute to the maintenance of hair, nails (zinc), and skin (zinc, vitamins B2, B3)
· It may help to maintain normal energetic metabolism, reducing fatigue and maintaining vitality and energy levels (vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6, copper)
· It may participate in the normal function of the nervous system (vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, and copper)
· It may protect cells against free radicals (antioxidant effect of vitamin B2)
· It may contribute to the normal function of the immune system, notable thanks to vitamin B6 and zinc.
RJ’s main beneficial qualities include:
· Anti-inflammatory
· Anti-lipidemic + cardiovascular protection
· Energy booster; increase stamina and general well-being
· Promotes longevity
· Boots immunity
· Anti-anaemic
· Bone support
· Anti-melanogenic
· Anti-proliferative
· Improves cognition and boosts memory
· Health skin
· Anti-diabetic
RJs use in Clinical:
· Vaccines (detoxification
· To prevent illness and promote longevity
· Allergies
· PMS
· Fertility (males)
· Asthma
· Osteoporosis
· Liver, kidney, and pancreatic disease
· Diabetes
RJ can be taken as a food supplement and acts to support the body while it is most exposed to external aggression and weakened. For this reason, it is generally recommended during the winter months to help combat the cold and changes of season. The combination of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements contained in royal jelly may help to balance energy and vitality while contributing to the normal function of the immune system. For these specific reasons, it helps the queen bee stay in better health and live longer!
Royal jelly is generally used as an internal supplement but can also be integrated into the formulations of cosmetics for use on the skin.
RJ can be conventional or organic. In both cases, royal jelly does not contain additives or water.
Choosing organic royal jelly allows you to benefit from a quality product, made respecting the specifications of organic apiculture, to fully benefit from the numerous properties of royal jelly.
Safety and possible side effects
Royal jelly is not recommended for people allergic to beehive products, bee stings, or people with asthma. To prevent the risk of allergy, it is advised you begin the treatment with weak doses and progressively increase them. At the first sign of allergy, immediately stop your treatment to avoid any risk.
Dosage and supplementation
Royal jelly comes in a variety of forms, including tablets, gel caps, liquids, pastes, and unprocessed raw jelly. It can be sourced online or found in drugstores, health food stores, and certain higher-end grocery stores.
Supplements
Royal jelly supplements are by far the easiest form to use and dose. The tablets and soft gels are both made with lyophilized (freeze-dried) royal jelly and can be safely stored at room temperature.
Always read the product label to see what other ingredients are included. If you don't know what an ingredient is, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. For added quality and safety, choose an organic brand over a non-organic one.
If you are vegan or vegetarian, be sure that the gel caps you choose do not contain animal-based gelatins.
Other Preparations
Unprocessed royal jelly is usually packaged in small, dark glass bottles in doses ranging from 250 to 500 mg. Royal jelly can be quite bitter and is often mixed with honey to improve the taste.
The main disadvantage of unprocessed royal jelly is that it does not keep well, lasting for only two weeks in a refrigerator or a few months in the freezer. It is also quite expensive.
Royal jelly liquid and paste are more shelf-stable but often include stabilizers and preservatives to prolong their expiration. These can generally be stored for up to six months in the refrigerator or up to three years in the freezer.
Taking royal jelly is quite simple and can be taken several times depending on the product chosen. In general, a treatment of 1 or 2 months at the maximum is recommended, with 500mg/day at the minimum up to 1g depending on needs.
Ideally, royal jelly should be taken in the morning before breakfast to benefit from its positive properties for vitality and energy throughout the day. Royal jelly is offered in jars and vials to make taking it easier: in jars, just take out the recommended quantity of royal jelly using the provided dosing spoon and let it melt slowly under the tongue. In vials, it can be consumed directly or in fruit juice.
When exposed to air, royal jelly can turn from a creamy yellow to a darker brown. Over time, the gelatinous texture can also become dense and harder to spoon. Ultimately, the color, texture, and taste are an indication of royal jelly's freshness.
Never use royal jelly beyond its expiration date, if it smells funny, or if it develops a rotten taste.
How do you store it?
After collection, the good quality royal jelly will be conserved in a glass bottle before being offered for sale so as not to alter its benefits. As it is delicate, once opened it must be kept in the refrigerator at a temperature between 2 and 5° C, away from light and humidity.
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