Today's Daily Health Tip

The Forgotten Superfood: Flower Pollen
by Jennifer Good

This week we turn our attention to a “forgotten” superfood, flower pollen. Years ago, bee pollen was THE superfood in the alternative health industry – and for good reason.

But over time, it was replaced by the next “hot” thing and the next hot thing after that.

The simple truth, though, is that pollen still ranks as probably the single greatest superfood ingredient yet discovered. Just because something is old doesn't make it out of date. When Jon Barron hiked the 212 miles of the Jon Muir Trail a number of years ago, bee pollen was his primary energy food. It sustained him as he hiked a pass a day, ranging from 10,000 to 14,500 feet in altitude.

Again, keep in mind that just because other superfoods have come along since (spirulina, chlorella, rice bran, noni, mangosteen, etc.) it doesn't lessen the value of the original great superfood. It's still number one. And, in fact, it has improved with age.

Back when Jon first used it, it was available only in the form of fresh bee pollen. Flower pollen extract, though, which wasn't even possible until advanced manufacturing methods were invented, is a much, much more powerful supplement than the original.

Its first advantage is that unlike bee pollen, flower pollen is remarkably clean (containing no bee parts or dirt) and is therefore close to allergy free. It is also far more digestible. It is harvested directly from the flower, totally bypassing the bees. In addition, unlike bee pollen, which contains the whole pollen grain, flower pollen (such as Graminex®) is an extract of the actual nutritive heart of the pollen – eliminating the hard to digest and allergy causing outer pollen husk. In particular, Graminex flower pollen extract contains virtually every single known compound necessary for life, including:

vitamins, amino acids, nucleic acids, minerals, long chain alcohols, unsaturated fatty acids, prostaglandin precursors, and plant hormones – not to mention several thousand enzymes.

According to Elson M. Haas and Buck Levin, authors of "Staying Healthy with Nutrition," while the precise makeup of pollen varies from flower to flower, almost all types of pollen contain a rich mix of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.1

Because it has been around so long, flower pollen, and Graminex® in particular, are backed by mountains of clinical studies. In fact, Jon’s own medical library has over 400 pages of clinical study data supporting Graminex® flower pollen extract – related to just its benefits vis-à-vis the prostate. But we will spare you having to read through 400 pages of content! To summarize, Graminex® flower pollen extract has shown benefits in the following:

• Helps with allergies, especially Hay Fever and any pollen allergy

• Shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells and tumor cells

• Can stabilize body weight

• Increase resistance towards infections

• Shows prophylactic effect against symptoms of the common cold

• Has anti-inflammatory properties and can help normalize lipid metabolism disturbances

• Protects and heals the lungs and liver, especially against alcohol damage to the liver

• Can reduce the size and congestion of prostate cells, improve urinary flow rate, and clearance through action of the smooth muscle

• Relieves urinary tract symptoms

• Reduce hot flashes and menopausal symptoms2

Overall, this is a remarkable superfood. It contains a full spectrum of concentrated vitamins, minerals, amino acids, phytosterols, antioxidants, and even fatty acids. Make sure to include flower pollen extract in your daily superfood shake!

Liked this health tip? Pass it along to someone else who might enjoy it as well! Forward this email to a Friend!

Find more great topics on natural health @ JonBarron.org!
Health Topics | Detox Program | Health Articles | Programs | Podcasts

Resources:
(1) "Staying Healthy with Nutrition"; Elson M. Haas and Buck Levin; 2006
(2) http://www.graminex.com/clinical-studies.php

Copyright © 2002-2012 The Baseline of Health Foundation - All rights reserved.