Why does royal jelly work

Royal jelly may boost brain function. One study revealed that stress-induced mice treated with royal jelly had lower levels of stress hormones and a more robust central nervous system than the control group A separate study resulted in improved memory and reduced symptoms of depression in postmenopausal rats given royal jelly One animal and one small human study showed improvements in chronic dry eyes for those treated orally with royal jelly.

The results indicate that this bee-derived substance may increase tear secretion from lacrimal glands within your eyes 22 , No adverse effects were reported from the human study. Thus, royal jelly could serve as a low-risk solution for chronic dry eyes. Ultimately, more research is needed. A few studies show increased lifespan and improved cognitive performance in rats treated orally with royal jelly Royal jelly is sometimes included in topical skin care products to support maintenance of healthy, younger-looking skin.

Animal research indicates that royal jelly may support increased collagen production and protection from skin damage associated with UV radiation exposure 12 , Since human research on the anti-aging benefits of oral or topical royal jelly use is insufficient, more studies are needed. MRJPs and fatty acids in royal jelly are known to promote antibacterial activity, which can reduce incidence of infection and support immune function However, most applicable data is limited to animal and test-tube research.

Therefore, more human studies are needed to confirm these effects. Chemotherapy and other cancer treatments come with significant negative side effects, including heart failure, inflammation and gastrointestinal GI issues. Royal jelly may reduce some of the negative side effects associated with certain cancer treatments. One study revealed a significant reduction in chemotherapy-induced heart damage in rats supplemented with royal jelly One very small human study indicated that topically applied royal jelly may prevent mucositis, a cancer treatment side effect that causes painful ulcerations in your digestive tract More research is warranted.

Royal jelly may also treat symptoms associated with menopause. Menopause causes a reduction in circulating hormones that is associated with physical and mental side effects, such as pain, impaired memory, depression and anxiety. One study found royal jelly effective at reducing depression and improving memory in postmenopausal rats Another study in 42 postmenopausal women noticed that supplementing daily with mg of royal jelly for 12 weeks was effective in reducing back pain and anxiety When taken as a dietary supplement, royal jelly is available in its natural state — a gel-like substance — or in powder or capsule form.

Benefits have been observed in a wide range of dosages. Current research supports possible benefits at —6, mg per day Royal jelly can also be applied topically to your skin and is sometimes included in commercially available skin care products.

Some environmental contaminants, such as pesticides , have also been found in royal jelly and could lead to allergic reactions 2. While using royal jelly is likely safe for most people, serious adverse reactions have occasionally been reported.

The reality is likely that, like everything else in biology, it's complex and many factors are involved. The real power of this new research may be in explaining why worker bees don't become queens. Instead of chemical castration by denying workers royal jelly, this elaborate feeding process provides chemical protection for the queen's ovaries.

She is sheltered from the potential toxic or metabolic effects of plant chemicals. As we continue to improve our techniques, hopefully we will come closer to a firm answer about just what honey bees eat in their hives, and why. When we thought royal jelly was magic queen stuff, stealing and eating phlegm produced in insect heads made a kind of warped sense. Royal jelly proponents claim the stuff cures all sorts of human problems, infertility in particular.

By deduction, the stuff that makes queen bees baby machines, laying up to 2, eggs a day, should increase human fertility. I am compelled to say this is not how scientists deduce cause and effect.

Royal jelly also is sold as an aphrodisiac, and like most erotic insect products, it's applied with " vigorous rubbing. Also, actual honey bee reproduction involves penis detachment and death , which doesn't sound like a good time to me , if we are sticking with that whole "what works for a bee will work for humans" analogy. Royal jelly does have antibacterial and antifungal properties, since it's the gunk developing bees float in until they metamorphose.

It's marketed in many cosmetics as an anti-aging ingredient; queen bees live 40 times longer than worker bees. So far, there isn't much evidence of royal jelly having medical significance in humans. It's probably a good moisturizer, though.

Especially if you don't think about where it comes from. My best guess is that about tons of royal jelly is produced and sold yearly; East Asia is the main producer. The market value of royal jelly is based on what we thought we knew about its magical properties; that doesn't seem likely to change in the foreseeable future.

A Japanese study bolstered these claims, finding that the endurance of mice increased when they were fed fresh royal jelly. A study found that just. Leigh Broadhurst, Ph. Royal jelly has also been found to be highly antimicrobial, effective against yeast and bacteria. A study conducted in Egypt demonstrated that royal jelly was capable of killing several different kinds of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and E. In three different studies, rabbits fed a royal jelly supplement had increased fertility; quail reached sexual maturity faster and laid more eggs, and chickens had increased egg production.

Royal jelly has also been used cosmetically. It contains the protein collagen — what many think of as the key to youthful looking skin. Wrinkles form when our skin looses its collagen. In cosmetics, royal jelly is used to promote skin elasticity, regrowth and rejuvenation. While formerly a specialty product, you can now find shampoo with royal jelly at Walmart, Target, Rite Aid, CVS, and in many other common retail outlets.

This could be, perhaps, that there is less available funding for high quality research. Most of the research that does exist comes out of Asia, as it is used more regularly there than in the U.

Royal jelly is a perishable product, and purchasing a professionally processed product is recommended. The best way to purchase it is in freeze-dried capsule form, or mixed with raw honey, which acts as a natural preservative. Based on an evaluation of 18 clinical studies, the researchers concluded that the quality of evidence supporting the use of royal jelly in diabetes was low to very low. Hypercholesterolemia high cholesterol is a concerning disorder linked to atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries , heart attack, and stroke.

In a small study published in Gynecological Endocrinology , 36 postmenopausal women given mg of royal jelly daily experienced a 7. Similar results were achieved in a study in Pharmaceutical Biology in which 40 adults with mild hypercholesterolemia were given either a placebo or mg of royal jelly daily. After three months, LDL and total cholesterol levels were reduced in the royal jelly group.

On the flip side, there were no changes in HDL cholesterol, triglycerides , body weight, waist size, or body fat compared to the placebo group. Preliminary research suggests that royal jelly may help reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome PMS. In a study published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine , female university students with PMS were given either 1, mg of royal jelly or a placebo.

Treatment started on the first day of menstruation and continued through two menstrual cycles. Further research is needed to confirm the results and better determine the exact mechanism of action of royal jelly. Despite the FDA's concerns, royal jelly is generally considered safe and well-tolerated when used appropriately.

Studies have shown that royal jelly may be taken in daily doses of up to 1, mg for three months with no notable side effects. With that said, royal jelly has been known to cause allergic reactions in some people, ranging from mild nasal symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis. This may be in response to royal jelly itself or to ingredients commonly added to supplements, including bee pollen and flower pollen. Call or seek emergency care if you experience shortness of breath, wheezing, hives, rapid heart rate, dizziness, or the swelling of the face, throat, or tongue after consuming royal jelly.

These are symptoms of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can lead to fainting, shock, coma, respiratory or heart failure, and death. Royal jelly may slow blood clotting and intensify the effects of blood thinners like warfarin , leading to easy bruising and bleeding.

If you use royal jelly on an ongoing basis, be sure to stop treatment two weeks before a scheduled surgery to prevent excessive bleeding. Royal jelly may also interact with antihypertensive drugs used to treat high blood pressure, causing an abnormal drop in blood pressure hypotension. To avoid interactions, advise your healthcare provider if you are planning to use royal jelly and include a list of all of the other drugs you are taking, whether they are prescription or over-the-counter.

Royal jelly comes in a variety of forms, including tablets, gelcaps, liquids, pastes, and unprocessed raw jelly. It can be sourced online or found in drugstores, health food stores, and certain higher-end grocery stores.

Royal jelly supplements are by far the easiest form to use and dose. The tablets and softgels are both made with lyophilized freeze-dried royal jelly and can be safely stored at room temperature. When buying royal jelly supplements, opt for brands that have been voluntarily tested by an independent certifying body like the U. Certification does not mean that the product is effective but that it simply contains the ingredients listed on the product label. This offers at least some reassurance, as supplements are not regulated in the United States.

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.