The Forever Royal Jelly is like a smooth substance that comes from the honey bees. This jelly normally contains water, proteins, sugar, fats, nutrients, salts, and amino acids. This jelly normally contains water, proteins, sugar, fats, nutrients, salts, and amino acids. Functional Properties of Honey, Propolis, and Royal Jelly M.VIUDA-MARTOS,Y.RUIZ-NAVAJAS,J.FERNANDEZ´ -LOPEZ´,AND J.A.P´EREZ -A´ LVAREZ ABSTRACT: Honey, propolis, and royal jelly, products originating in the beehive, are attractive ingredients for healthy foods. Honey has been used since ancient times as part of traditional medicine. The health benefits of royal jelly are extensive and universities around the world are now studying this magical compound more and more frequently in an attempt to further understand it. I'm a believer - I've been taking Royal Jelly for years and there is no doubt in my mind that royal jelly has enhanced many aspects of my health.
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- Royal Jelly Benefits Skin
What makes Royal Jelly so good for you? Royal Jelly contains a wealth of substances normally absent from our diet including 10 HAD (a natural unsaturated fatty acid), Royalisin (a natural antibiotic protein), 18 amino acids and other micronutrients. Nutritionally complete, Royal Jelly provides many benefits.
doi: 10.1089/jmf.2011.1888
PMID: 22468645
This article has been cited by other articles in PMC.
Abstract
Royal jelly (RJ) is a honeybee product that contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, free amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. RJ has been reported to have antitumor, antibacterial, and wound-healing activities. We previously reported that RJ enhanced the migration of human dermal fibroblasts and altered the levels of cholesterol and sphinganine in an in vitro wound-healing model in addition to regulating skin photoaging following exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation. We established an animal model of skin aging in the context of estrogen deficiency and assessed the antiaging effects of RJ on skin. To establish an in vivo model of skin aging, bilateral ovariectomies were performed in 12-week-old virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats. Induction of osteoporosis was confirmed through two-dimensional images of the trabecular bone in the left femoral necks using microcomputed tomography. The protective effects of RJ ovariectomy-induced skin aging were examined by determining the protein expression of type I procollagen and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1. The collagen content and epidermal thickness of skin tissue were measured by staining techniques. There was a significant difference in weight between sham-operated and ovariectomized groups. Food efficiency ratio did not differ significantly among the groups. The level of procollagen type I protein was increased in the dorsal skin of ovariectomized rats fed with a dietary supplement containing 1% RJ extract, but the level of MMP-1 was not altered. In particular, the amount of collagen recovered was close to the normal level. RJ may protect against skin aging by enhancing collagen production in rats with ovariectomy-induced estrogen deficiency.
Key Words: collagen, estrogen deficiency, royal jelly, skin aging
Introduction
Skin aging is a complex biological process that is a consequence of intrinsic aging that occurs over time and extrinsic aging caused by environmental factors such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Intrinsic aging of the skin is largely genetically determined and is clinically associated with increased fragility and loss of elasticity. These effects are enhanced by extrinsic aging and hormonal aging.–4 The importance of intrinsic skin aging is also increasing. Hormones, which include the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) axis and sex hormones, namely, estradiol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEA-S), contribute to the skin aging process., Skin is one of the most important nonreproductive target organs of estrogen, which is known to play an essential role in regulating skin maintenance and turnover., In postmenopausal women, estrogen deficiency leads to decreased skin thickness and collagen content, together with increased dryness, elasticity, and wrinkling in skin., Several studies have shown that these symptoms can be reversed by estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).– ERT also has a similar effect on wound contraction in ovariectomized rats. ERT has been associated with increased collagen synthesis and reduced collagen degradation, and estrogen has been implicated as a modulator of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production and function., Although ERT has been used for many years, recent trials have reported significantly increased risks of breast cancer and other pathologies with this treatment. Many studies are being performed to discover effective and nontoxic materials with estrogen-like activity to replace estrogen in therapies for postmenopausal women. Many natural products with estrogen-like effect include the following: Piper sarmentosum,Cirsium japonicum,19 olive oil, and soy isoflavone. We also previously reported the protective effects of apigenin, as a new material associated with ERT, on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats as a postmenopausal bone loss model.
Royal jelly (RJ), a yellowish material secreted from the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of worker-caste (nurse) honeybees, is a widely consumed health tonic with various perceived benefits. RJ consists of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, free amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and significant amounts of bioactive substances such as unsaturated fatty acids of 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic (10H2DA), 3,10-dihydroxydecanoic, and sebacic acids., Pharmacologically, RJ displays vasodilative, hypotensive, antitumor, antihypercholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative activities. The major fatty acid component of RJ, 10H2DA, has antitumor, collagen synthetic, and MMP-inhibitory activities.– In a previous study, we demonstrated that RJ enhanced the migration of human fibroblasts and increased the level of sphingolipids in an in vitro wound-healing model. Furthermore, we revealed that RJ protected human skin fibroblasts against ultraviolet-B (UVB)-induced photoaging by enhancing collagen production. RJ and RJ-derived fatty acids have also been shown to exert estrogen-like effects in vitro and in vivo, similar to those evoked by 17b-estradiol (E2)., Estrogen deficiency following ovariectomy results in significant decreases in the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression in the uterus. RJ treatment resulted in an increase in VEGF gene expression above the level of a sham-operated group. These findings suggest that RJ has antiphotoaging and estrogenic activities in skin. However, the effects of RJ on skin aging due to estrogen deficiency have not been reported. In this study, we established an animal model of skin aging due to estrogen deficiency induced by ovariectomy in rats. The protective effects of RJ on the elasticity and epidermal thickness of skin in a model of menopause-induced aging were assessed.
Materials and Methods
Reagents
Distilled water and acetonitrile were purchased from Burdick & Jackson, SK Chemicals; 10H2DA, from Nacalai USA, Inc.; and trifluoroacetic acid, from Alfa Aesar. All chemicals and solvents were of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) grade and are commercially available. Fresh RJ was obtained from the RDA and a voucher specimen (KHUKSY-HPOP001 or KHUKSY-HOOC001) was deposited in the herbarium at the Department of Medical Science, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University (Yongin-si, Korea).
Royal Jelly Benefits For Men
Quantitative analysis of 10H2DA from RJ by HPLC
The standardized major bioactive component of RJ, 10H2DA, was determined by HPLC (Agilent 1100 HPLC System; Agilent Technologies, Inc.) with a Symmetry C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm i.d., S-4 μm, 80 Å; YMC Co., Ltd.). The standards and samples were separated using a linear gradient consisting of acetonitrile (A) and water (B) under the following conditions: 0–20 minutes, 30–100% A; 20–25 minutes, 100% A with a run time of 25 minutes. The detection wavelength was set at 210 nm. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the column was maintained at 25°C. The injection volume for all test samples and standards was 10 μL.
Sample collection
Fresh RJ was obtained from the RDA and a voucher specimen (KHUKSY-HPOP001 or KHUKSY-HOOC001) was deposited in the herbarium at the Department of Medical Science, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University (Youngin, Korea).
Animal treatment and biological sampling
Twelve-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats (155±4 g each) were purchased from Central Lab Animal, Inc. (Seoul, Korea). The animals were kept in an air-conditioned room at 22°C±1°C and 60%±5% humidity under a 12-hour-light/12-hour-dark cycle with free access to food pellets and drinking water throughout the experiment. After 1 week of acclimation, the rats were divided into four groups using a randomized block design in accordance with body weight: SHAM (sham-operated rats that were fed a control diet, n=12), OVX (ovariectomized rats that were fed a control diet, n=11), OC (ovariectomized rats that were fed a diet containing 1% RJ from Cheorwon, n=12), and OP (ovariectomized rats that were fed a diet containing 1% RJ from Pocheon, n=12). The experimental schedule is described in Figure 1. The animals in each group were maintained on experimental diets for 12 weeks. The compositions of the experimental diets are shown in Table 1. Dietary fat was supplied as corn oil and fixed at 10% of the dietary weight. To investigate food efficiency ratio (FER) from each group, body weight and food intake values were measured once per week during the experimental period. In vivo microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) was used to quantify alterations in bone volume and bone mineral density in the same animals at 7 weeks after OVX surgery. Rats were ovariectomy induced or sham operated after 4 weeks from the beginning of the dietary supplementation. After 12 weeks of dietary supplementation, the rats were anesthetized with chloral hydrate solution (0.3 mL/kg; Sigma-Aldrich). Exsanguination was performed by cardiac puncture to collect blood, followed by cervical dislocation. Blood serum samples were harvested for assays after centrifugation. The backs of the rats were shaved using clippers, and dorsal skin samples were collected. The serum and skin samples were promptly frozen at −80°C until use.
Experimental design.
Table 1.
Experimental groups | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
SHAM (n=12) | OVX (n=11) | OC (n=12) | OP (n=12) | |
Casein | 230 | 230 | 230 | 230 |
L-cystine | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Corn oil | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Cellulose | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Vitamin mix | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Mineral mix | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
Sucrose | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
Corn starch | 372 | 372 | 362 | 362 |
Royal jelly (Cheorwon) | -- | -- | 10 | -- |
Royal jelly (Pocheon) | -- | -- | -- | 10 |
Group SHAM, SD rats control diet only; group OVX, ovariectomized rats fed control diet; groups OC and OP, ovariectomized rats fed diets containing 1% royal jelly originated from Cheorwon and Pocheon, respectively.
The experimental protocol [KHUASP-08-008] was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Kyung Hee University.
Zoom-in micro-CT analysis
Induction of estrogen-deficiency-induced osteoporosis was confirmed through two-dimensional images of the trabecular bone in the left femoral necks by micro-CT, 7 weeks after ovariectomy. Three-dimensional tomographic images were taken by micro-CT according to the previously published method. Rats were anesthetized (1.5% isofluorane, 70% N2O, and 30% O2 gas) and maintained on anesthetic gases for the duration of each measurement. The 3D images (512×512×512) were reconstructed from 450 projection data and the isotropic pixel resolution was 25 μm.
Analysis of alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin level in rat blood serum
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was determined by using a commercial alkaline phosphatase kit (LabAssay™ ALP; Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.). Quantitative analysis of osteocalcin was performed at a professional facility (Seoul Medicinal Science Institute).
Histological analysis
Skin tissue samples were fixed in 4% para-formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. Sections that were 6 μm thick were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome staining. Dermal thickness was assessed in the H&E sections and collagen content was evaluated in the Masson's trichrome sections, which allowed areas of mature collagen deposition to be detected.
Western blot analysis
Frozen skin tissues were homogenized in cell lysis buffer and the proteins were subjected to western blot analysis. To investigate the expression of procollagen type I and MMP-1 proteins in skin tissue, 40 μg of total protein extracts was separated by 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). The membrane was blocked with 5% skim milk and incubated with primary antibodies (procollagen type I, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.; MMP-1, Millipore). After washing with Tris-buffered saline Tween-20, horseradish peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibodies (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.) were applied. The blots were developed using ECL western blotting detection reagents (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech).
Statistical analysis
All data were analyzed using Statistical Analysis System software (PASW Statistics 18.0; SPSS, Inc.), and are presented as the mean±SE or ±SEM. Statistically significant differences were evaluated using Duncan's multiple-range test. Statistical significance was assigned at P<.05.
Results
Quantitative analysis of 10H2DA from RJ
The content of 10H2DA, a main fatty acid from RJ, was measured by HPLC. The retention time of the 10H2DA standard compound was 10.229 minutes (Fig. 2). RJ from Cheorwon and Pocheon contained 2.114±0.0065 μg/g (0.211%) and 2.019±0.0080 μg/g (0.202%) of 10H2DA, respectively. The contents were not significantly different between samples.
High-performance liquid chromatography chromatograms of (E)-10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10H2DA) of royal jelly from Cheorwon (A) and from Pocheon (B).
Body weight gain and the FER
To examine the antiaging effects of RJ on estrogen-deficiency-induced skin in vivo, ovariectomy-induced rats were orally administrated 1% of RJ in the base diet for 12 weeks. The body weight and food consumption in each group were measured every week. There were no significant differences in body weight between groups at the beginning of the experimental period. After 12 weeks, the body weights in SHAM and OVX groups were significantly different, 169.50±11.03 and 221.17±14.40 g, respectively. In contrast, the body weights in the ovariectomized groups (groups OVX, OC, and OP) did not differ significantly. Food intakes (g/week) in each group were 1349.57±300.39, 1632.67±311.17, 1369.96±289.35, and 1344.29±274.95 g, respectively. The FER (body weight [g]/food intake [g]) was higher in groups OP and OC than in the SHAM and OVX groups, but the results were not statistically significant (Table 2).
Table 2.
Body Weight Gain, Food Intake, and Food Efficiency Ratio of Experimental Rats
Group | SHAM | OVX | OC | OP |
---|---|---|---|---|
Initial weight (g) | 155.8±2.39a | 153.3±1.94a | 155.7±3.07a | 155.5±2.51a |
Final weight (g) | 325.3±10.44b | 374.4±15.85a | 395.7±10.13a | 385.8±8.75a |
Weight gain (g) | 169.5±11.03b | 221.2±14.40a | 240.0±7.03a | 230.3±8.48a |
Food intake (g/week) | 112.5±25.03 | 148.4±28.29 | 114.2±24.11 | 112.0±22.91 |
FER | 0.149±0.3333a | 0.148±0.0282a | 0.209±0.0440a | 0.204±0.0417a |
All values are mean±SEM (groups SHAM, OC, and OP: n=12; group OVX: n=11). FER=[gain of body weight (g)/week]/[amount of food intake (g)/week].
abMeans with different letters differ at P<.05 level by ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test.
Group SHAM, SD rats control diet only; group OVX, ovariectomized rats fed control diet; groups OC and OP, ovariectomized rats fed diets containing 1% royal jelly originated from Cheorwon and Pocheon, respectively, for 12 weeks (4 weeks before OVX and 8 weeks after OVX); FER, food efficiency ratio.
Confirmation of skin aging in ovariectomized rats
Estrogen-deficiency-induced osteoporosis was induced through ovariectomy in rats. Seven weeks after ovariectomy, two-dimensional images of the femoral neck showed significant differences in trabecular architecture between the SHAM and OVX groups (Fig. 3). While serum ALP activity (Fig. 4A) and osteocalcin level (Fig. 4B) were both higher in the OVX group than in the SHAM group, osteocalcin concentration was significantly decreased in the OC group compared with the OVX group at the end of the 12-week study. There were no significant differences between the OVX group and the RJ-treated groups in ALP activity. Based on the result of micro-CT analysis and changes of bone formation markers, osteocalcin and bone-specific ALP, we confirmed the induction of osteoporosis in a rat of ovariectomy.
Two-dimensional images of trabecular bone in the femoral necks of the SHAM (A) and OVX (B) groups using microcomputed tomography parameters.
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities (A) and osteocalcin levels (B) in sham-operated rats that were fed a control diet only (SHAM) and ovariectomized rats that were fed a control diet (OVX), a diet including royal jelly from Pocheon (OP), and a diet including royal jelly from Cheorwon (OC) for 12 weeks. All values are mean±SEM (n=12 for SHAM, OP, and OC; n=11 for OVX). The data were evaluated for statistical significance with one-way ANOVA followed by Duncan's multiple range test. abcMeans with different letters are statistically different.
Changes in epidermal thickness and collagen
Masson's trichrome staining and H&E staining were applied to evaluate collagen content and epidermal thickness according to dietary supplementation with 1% RJ in ovariectomized estrogen-deficient rats. Figure 5A, C, E, G showed representative histological sections before and after dietary supplementation. The histological structures of rat skin were studied in the SHAM, OVX, OC, and OP groups. The variation of epidermal thickness in each group was a little different after dietary supplementation for 12 weeks.
(A, C, E, G) The histological appearance and (B, D, F, H) Masson's trichrome staining of (A, B) sham-operated rats that were fed a control diet only (SHAM), and (C, D) ovariectomized rats that were fed a control diet (OVX) and diets including royal jelly from (E, F) Pocheon (OP) and (G, H) Cheorwon (OC) for 12 weeks. Color images available online at www.liebertonline.com/jmf
Based on the results of Masson's trichrome staining, the amounts of collagen were significantly decreased in the OVX group compared with the SHAM group (Fig. 5B, D, F, H). Collagen levels in the OC group almost recovered to the value of the SHAM group after being fed RJ from Cheorwon.
Changes in procollagen type I and MMP-1 protein levels
To investigate the mechanism underlying the effects of RJ in ovariectomized rat skin, the protein expression of procollagen type I and MMP-1 were analyzed by western blot analysis (Fig. 6). A significant difference in the level of procollagen type I protein was detected in skin samples from the SHAM and OVX groups. The OVX group showed lower levels of procollagen type I protein than the SHAM group, whereas rats that received RJ, particularly the OP group, showed a greater increase than the OVX group. MMP-1 protein levels did not change among the groups. Therefore, dietary supplementation with 1% RJ suppresses skin aging through the regulation of collagen synthesis in ovariectomized rats.
Expression of procollagen type I and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 proteins in rats fed a control diet only (SHAM) and ovariectomized rats fed a control diet (OVX), and diets including royal jelly from Pocheon (OP) and Cheorwon (OC) for 12 weeks.
Discussion
We created an animal model of skin aging due to estrogen deficiency following ovariectomy and verified osteoporosis by observing 2D images of the trabecular bone in the neck of the femur using micro-CT. Biochemical markers such as serum ALP activity and osteocalcin levels were measured. The trabecular thickness, which was measured by zoom-in tomography, was significantly different between the SHAM and OVX groups (Fig. 2). In ovariectomized rats, serum ALP activity and osteocalcin level were increased in comparison with the SHAM group (Fig. 3).
Ovariectomized experimental animals are widely used as an experimental model of female menopause. Ovariectomy increases the concentrations of serum ALP and osteocalcin, as well as biochemical markers of bone formation due to increases in the exchange ratio of bone., Ovariectomy is sufficient for accelerating spontaneous skin aging and stimulating UV-irradiation-induced photoaging of murine skin. Moreover, in ovariectomized rats, the induction of osteoporosis leads to severe structural alterations in skin and bone collagen in parallel with hypoestrogenism. The results of the present study agree with those of previous studies. Collagen content and protein levels of procollagen type I significantly decreased in the dorsal skin of rats after ovariectomy (Figs. 5E–H and and6).6). Furthermore, we examined the effects of RJ on collagen content, and MMP-1 and protein levels of procollagen type I in established models of skin aging. RJ did not affect FER among the experimental groups. Therefore, the effects of RJ did not depend upon amounts of food or energy intake. A dietary supplement of 1% RJ from Cheorwon or Pocheon in ovariectomized rats resulted in a significant decrease in serum osteocalcin levels compared with the OVX group, but not ALP activities. In addition, RJ increased the levels of collagen and procollagen type I protein in the OVX group, but did not alter MMP-1 production. These results are consistent with those of our previous study on the effects of RJ on UVB-induced photoaging of the skin in vitro. We hypothesized that increases in collagen content and type I procollagen by RJ represent the synergistic interactions of RJ components, especially unsaturated fatty acids. Evidence also suggests that RJ and some of the RJ-derived fatty acids, in particular 10H2DA, possess the ability to promote collagen production by inducing transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) production,,37 suppressing MMP activity through the inhibition of p38 and JNK-AP-1 signaling pathways, and providing estrogenic effects., Estrogen has several pharmacological functions, such as the maintenance of bone mass and protection from cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Estrogen also promotes collagen production by stimulating the secretion of TGF-β1, increasing the elasticity and firmness of the skin, while decreasing wrinkle depth and pore size. Surazynski et al. studied how estradiol increases estrogen receptor (ER) mRNA levels, prolidase activity, and IGF-I receptor expression, all of which influence collagen biosynthesis in human skin fibroblasts. All things considered, the estrogenic effect of RJ maybe mediated by the mechanism of TGF-β and ER signaling. The estrogen deprivation that accompanies menopause exacerbates the deleterious effects of both intrinsic and environmental aging. ERT has an obvious, visible effect on the skin and is efficient for combating skin aging., However, long-term ERT is associated with increased risk of cancer in estrogen target tissues. RJ has potential as a regulator of skin aging due to estrogen deficiency after menopause and does not have remarkable side effects. Unfortunately, we were unable to explore mechanisms of action in this study. Therefore, further studies are required to thoroughly investigate the mechanisms of the estrogen-like effects of RJ against skin aging.
Acknowledgement
This work was supported by a grant from the BioGreen 21 Program (No. 20090801-060-001-001-02-00: PJ007178), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.
Author Disclosure Statement
No competing financial interests exist.
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Articles from Journal of Medicinal Food are provided here courtesy of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
Royal jelly sounds prestigious, stirring up curiosity, and for good reason. The name alone can draw you in, but what else makes it appealing? Well, for starters, it’s been reported to have anti-tumor, antibacterial and wound-healing properties.
I’m sure, by now, you’re wondering where this royal jelly treatment comes from. It’s a nutritious substance produced by young nurse bees and contains significant amounts of proteins that are important for cell growth and reproduction. Just like honey, it originates from beehives — however, bees produce these substances for very different reasons. While honey provides energy for the worker bees, royal jelly acts as the main source of food for the colony’s queen. A royal treatment indeed and likely how the name was derived.
Just like some of the top uses for honey, royal jelly is used for a number of health reasons, such as an asthma natural remedy, healthy bone development, an age-defying treatment and to boost the immune system, to name a few. It’s even been noted as a possible way to inhibit cancer growth. (1)
Royal Jelly Benefits
Some people use royal jelly as medicine, but it’s important that you don’t confuse it with bee pollen or bee venom, as these substances aren’t exactly the same. Here are some of the specific royal jelly benefits.
1. Boosts Immune System and Counters Allergic Reactions
Royal Jelly Benefits Pdf
According to a 2001 study published in the journal International Immunopharmacology, royal jelly can help boost the immune system. In the study, histamine response to allergens was immediately suppressed, showing that it may help relieve seasonal allergy symptoms. (2) However, more research is still needed to completely validate its allergen-suppressing abilites.
2. Helps Alzheimer’s Patients
Recent research indicates royal jelly may improve short-term memory because it’s demonstrated to have a beneficial role on neural functions. We know that Alzheimer’s disease is associated with impairments of learning and memory, which is why this study published in Advanced Biomedical Research was designed to examine the effect of royal jelly on spatial learning and memory.
Because the brain tissue contains a lot of unsaturated fatty acids that are especially vulnerable for free radical attacks, the antioxidant substances found in royal jelly can play an important role in prevention and cure of neurodegenerative diseases. That includes working as a potential Alzheimer’s natural treatment. (3)
3. Contains Beneficial Probiotics
Royal honey appears to have a valuable effect as a source of bifidobacteria, which is the beneficial bacteria that supports the health of the gastrointestinal tract, making it a useful probiotic. Clinical studies have associated other beneficial effects, such as immune enhancement and anti-carcinogenicity, with the presence of bifidobacteria in the GI tract. The unique composition of honey suggests that it could enhance the growth, activity and viability of bifidobacteria in fermented dairy products. (4)
4. Eases Menopausal and Postmenopausal Symptoms
Research shows that taking royal jelly can help reduce menopausal symptoms and improve feelings of well-being in menopausal women. The combination of royal jelly, evening primrose oil, damiana and ginseng may also decrease menopausal symptoms. (5, 6)
5. Improves Collagen Levels for Great Skin
A study conducted by the Department of East-West Medical Science at Kyung Hee University in Korea reports that royal jelly regulates skin photoaging following exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation. The anti-aging effects on the skin were assessed by determining the collagen content and epidermal thickness of skin tissue.
The level of procollagen type I protein was increased in the subjects that were fed with a dietary supplement containing 1 percent royal jelly extract. These findings indicate that royal jelly may protect against skin aging by enhancing collagen production. (7)
6. Treats Osteoporosis
The Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical Faculty of Erciyes University in Turkey aimed to investigate whether royal jelly and bee pollen reduce the bone loss due to osteoporosis. Bone mineral density was measured, tissue samples were taken and blood samples were collected for the study. This helped determine bone calcium and phosphate levels with imaging through a scanning electron microscope.
There were significant differences found that showed positive bone health in the lumbar spine and proximal femur in the royal jelly and bee pollen groups. Bone tissue calcium and phosphate levels were higher, as well, indicating that royal jelly and bee pollen may decrease bone loss due to osteoporosis. (8)
7. Aids in Healing Wounds
Honey has long been known as an aid in wound healing. Studies reveal that royal jelly has significant benefits in wound healing as well. In a 2010 study, a wound was promptly treated with royal jelly at varying concentrations for up to 48 hours, and migration was analyzed by evaluating closure of the wound margins. Furthermore, altered levels of lipids, which were recently reported to participate in the wound-healing process, were analyzed.
Migration of fibroblasts peaked at 24 hours after wounding, and royal jelly treatment significantly accelerated the migration of fibroblasts within 24 hours. Ultimately, the research demonstrated that royal jelly enhances the migration of fibroblasts, a cell in connective tissue that produces collagen and other fibers, and alters the levels of various lipids involved in the wound-healing process. Bootcamp 32 bit direct. (9)
8. Improves Male Infertility
Research published in the Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine evaluated the protective effect of royal jelly on sperm parameters, testosterone levels and malondialdehyde production in mice. Sperm count, sperm motility, viability, maturity and DNA integrity were analyzed in the study. The findings suggest royal jelly treatments can improve male fertility. (10)
9. Treats Diabetes
There have been a few studies suggesting that royal jelly may improve some type 2 diabetes markers in both men and women. In a randomized clinical trial, 40 patients with type 2 diabetes were assigned to receive either 10 grams fresh royal jelly or a placebo after overnight fasting. Though the effects were not immediate and more studies are needed, there were some changes in glucose levels that may benefit type 2 diabetics, indicating that it may work as a diabetes natural treatment. (11, 12)
10. Helps Decrease Mucositis Symptoms
Studies indicate that royal jelly can aid in the healing time in patients receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Combined with standard mouthwash therapy, it was shown to improve symptoms of oral mucositis. Data suggests that topical application of films that contain royal jelly had a healing effect on the severe oral mucositis and that the effect was caused by its anti-inflammatory or antioxidative activities. (13, 14)
Related: 9 Natural Testosterone Boosters for More Energy, Better Sleep + More
Royal Jelly vs. Honey
Both royal jelly and raw honey have been harvested for centuries for both similar and different reasons. Royal jelly is typically used as a nutritional supplement, and we all know honey as a delicious natural sweetener for our morning toast or afternoon tea — and they both can be highly beneficial to your health.
There are numerous proven and potential benefits of royal jelly and honey, many of which are similar. Here is a quick guide that may help you determine how best to use it based on your needs and what you need to know about royal jelly vs. Manuka honey or raw honey.
Royal Jelly
It’s a honey bee secretion that’s used in the nutrition of larvae and adult queens. It’s known for:
- Immune system support
- Antibiotic effects
- Kidney, pancreatic and liver disease support
- Healthy skin
- Energy and vitality
- Healing wounds
- Fighting cancer
- Fertility
- Hormone support
- Digestive support
- Bone support
- Diabetic support
Honey
Raw honey is 100 percent unprocessed, meaning it’s pure, natural, unpasteurized and unadulterated. It retains all the enzymes, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, rich vitamins, minerals and carbohydrate content in this form. Honey is known for:
- Natural sweetener
- Weight loss support
- Helping regulate insulin
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial power for the skin
- Local honey my help build immunity to local allergens
- Antioxidant effects
- Healing wounds
- Improved athletic performance
Here are some more fun facts on these two bee products:
- How to become a queen bee: Did you know that royal jelly is actually an important step in becoming a queen bee?Uniquely, it’s the only determining factor in the development of a queen bee from an ordinary bee. The hive selects its next queen when she’s just a few days old. Once she’s been chosen, the queen bee to-be starts getting fed royal jelly and eats it for the rest of her life. And all those nutrients are what make her the biggest bee on the hive living longer than the other bees.
- Royal jelly will make you smarter: Royal jelly has been touted as brain food due to its ability to improve cognitive functions. I don’t suggest you run out and eat a ton of it right away, but with proper research and the right dosage, it just may improve your short-term memory, your ability to learn new things and even your motor skills.
- Raw honey was depicted on cave paintings: Honey has been loved for a very long time. Cave paintings, dating to around 13,000 years old, depict beekeeping. In fact, the world’s oldest intact beehive is in Israel and believed to be 3,000 years old.
- Beekeeping was illegal: Believe or not, beekeeping was illegal in many U.S. cities, including Norfolk, Va., where it’s still illegal today. It became legal in New York city in 2010. (15)
- The honey badger uses a honeyguide: Honey badgers favor bee honey and often search for beehives to get it, which earns them their name. However, the honeyguide, which feeds on beeswax, is a tiny bird that leads honey badgers to beehives so they can feast on the delicious honey. When the honey badger is done feasting, the honeyguide swoops in and feasts on the beeswax left over.
The Science & History Behind Royal Jelly
Royal jelly contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, free amino acids, vitamins and minerals. It contains about 60 percent to 70 percent water, 12 percent to 15 percent proteins, 10 percent to 16 percent sugar, 3 percent to 6 percent fats, and 2 percent to 3 percent vitamins, salts and amino acids. Its composition varies depending on geography and climate.
Its health benefits became very popular upon use by the pope in the 1950s, who was suffering from both age and asthmatic problems. At that time, so many Catholics and Christians began seeking it that it became scarce and likely why it became expensive. In addition, the Chinese have used it for generations as well as the Asiatic peoples. (16)
Royal Jelly Benefits For Pms
Royal jelly is a proteinaceous secretion derived from the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of young worker bees. It’s the sole food fed to the queen throughout her lifetime and is also fed to all young larvae for the first three days after hatching. Thsi bee fuel possesses various biological attributes beneficial for human health, such as antioxidant activities, antibacterial effects, enhancement of immune activity and anti-tumor effects.
Protein accounts for more than 50 percent of royal jelly by dry weight. It’s been reported that nine members of major royal jelly proteins account for 80 percent to 90 percent of the total protein. Other proteins, such as alpha-glucosidase, glucose oxidase and alpha-amylase, have also been detected. (17)
Furthermore, honeybee (Apis mellifera) royal jelly has a long history in human medicine because of its health-protecting properties. To develop a fundamental and comprehensive understanding of lipids it contains, overall, the lipids are composed of mostly (aliphatic) fatty acids, almost all of which are present as free fatty acids. Lipids are a class of organic compounds that are fatty acids and insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. They include many natural oils, waxes and steroids.
Most fatty acids in royal jelly are medium-chain fatty acids. The lipids are useful as preventive and supportive medicines with functionalities that include potential inhibitors of cancer growth, immune system modulators, alternative therapies for menopause, skin-aging protectors and more. (18)
How to Buy Royal Jelly and Dosage
The flavor of royal jelly is mostly described as astringent, dry, slightly bitter and leaving an aftertaste. This aftertaste is sometimes equated with extremely low doses of bee venom, giving a numbing or tingling feeling to the tongue and mouth. For this reason people who have severe allergic reaction to bee venom should not be given royal jelly.
Benefits Of Royal Jelly For Women
It’s very potent — therefore, you only need about half a teaspoon per day to gain its many benefits and receive adequate B vitamins. You can eat it raw, add it to honey as a spread, in your tea or in your morning smoothie.
You can buy it at your local health food store. If you don’t foresee using it frequently, freeze-dried royal jelly is more shelf-stable and maintains most of its benefits when stored at room temperature. When made into tablets or capsules, it’s usually mixed with fillers so, as always, read the labels.
If you’re using non-freeze-dried royal jelly, make sure to choose one that has been frozen because freezing helps better maintain its quality compared to storing at room temperature and refrigerating it.
Health Benefits Royal Jelly
You can purchase liquid formulations of royal jelly — however, they often contain preservatives and some honey to improve the flavor. (19)
Royal Jelly Risks
You should avoid royal honey if you have estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer because it can stimulate growth of cancer cells. Make sure to speak to your doctor before taking royal jelly if you take blood thinners or any medications and if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Royal Jelly Benefits Skin
It’s important to note that several cases of anaphylaxis, asthma and hemorrhagic colitis have been reported with use of royal jelly. People who have severe allergic reactions to bee venom should not be given royal jelly.
The appropriate dose of royal jelly depends on several factors, such as the user’s age, health and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for royal jelly. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe, and dosages can be important.
Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels, and consult your pharmacist or physician before using.
Royal Jelly Takeaways
Touted as “the fountain of youth and beauty,” royal jelly contains vitamin B5 and other B vitamins, biotin, inositol, folate, nucleic acids, gamma globulin and 17 different amino acids, including the eight essential amino acids that the human body cannot produce. And there’s more. It also contains potassium, magnesium, calcium, copper, sulfur, zinc, iron and manganese. It’s no wonder that this sought-after nutritional profile provides vitality and energy-promoting properties.
These characteristics provide royal jelly with the ability to rejuvenate and regenerate the body, inhibit the aging process, maintain skin tone, alleviate arthritis pain, act as an antidepressant, help those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, enhance our ability to think clearly, treat hormonal imbalances, and promote a healthy heart. That’s quite a list!
In addition, remember the following in regard to royal jelly:
- Royal jelly is used for a number of health reasons, such as an asthma natural remedy, healthy bone development, an age-defying treatment and to boost the immune system, to name a few. It’s even been noted as a possible way to inhibit cancer growth. It boosts the immune system and counters allergic reactions, helps Alzheimer’s patients, contains beneficial probiotics, eases menopausal and postmenopausal symptoms, improves collagen levels for great skin, treats osteoporosis, aids in healing wounds, improves male fertility, treats diabetes, and helps decrease mucositis symptoms.
- Royal jelly contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, free amino acids, vitamins and minerals. It contains about 60 percent to 70 percent water, 12 percent to 15 percent proteins, 10 percent to 16 percent sugar, 3 percent to 6 percent fats, and 2 percent to 3 percent vitamins, salts and amino acids. Its composition varies depending on geography and climate.
Read Next:Top 8 Bee Pollen Benefits (No. 7 Is Remarkable)
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