6 REASONS TO UNLOCK THE POWER OF ROYAL JELLY

 By: Angela VanAlten /Ysseldyk,Beekeeper’s Daughter,Certified Nutritional Practitioner and Partner at Dutchman’s Gold  

Are you ready to discover the secret behind radiant skin and optimal health? Look no further than royal jelly, nature's hidden gem. Packed with essential nutrients and incredible benefits, this beehive superfood supplement is a game-changer for your well-being. 

Royal jelly, a substance produced by worker bees to feed the queen bee, is not only an exceptional source of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and antioxidants, but it also acts as a nutritive tonic.  Further, it is being researched for cognition, hormone balancing and inflammation. Its remarkable composition makes it a powerhouse for supporting overall health and beauty. From boosting immune function to promoting collagen production, royal jelly offers a multitude of advantages that are hard to ignore. 

1. POTENT ANTIOXIDANT 

One of the key reasons why royal jelly is considered a superfood is due to its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting the body's cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are produced naturally in the body but can also be generated by external factors such as pollution, UV radiation, and poor diet. When free radicals accumulate, they can cause oxidative stress, which is associated with various diseases and accelerated aging. The antioxidants present in royal jelly help neutralize these free radicals and reduce the risk of oxidative damage (Lin et al., 2017). 

 2. NUTRITIVE TONIC

In addition to being a potent antioxidant, royal jelly acts as a nutritive tonic, providing a wide range of essential nutrients. It is rich in B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid, which are crucial for energy production and maintaining healthy skin (Blum et al., 2009). Royal jelly also contains minerals such as calcium, potassium, and zinc, which are essential for maintaining strong bones, regulating blood pressure, and supporting immune function (Fujii et al., 2021). Furthermore, the protein content in royal jelly is higher than that found in most bee products, making it an excellent source of amino acids necessary for building and repairing body tissues (Barac et al., 2019). 

When it comes to supplementation, incorporating royal jelly into your daily routine can work wonders.  

3. COGNITIVE FUNCTION & MEMORY 

Research suggests that its unique blend of nutrients may improve cognitive function and memory retention. A randomized controlled trial found that elderly individuals with subjective cognitive decline who received royal jelly supplementation showed significant improvements in cognitive performance compared to the control group (Smith et al., 2012). The study suggests that royal jelly's neuroprotective effects and anti-inflammatory properties contribute to its cognitive-enhancing benefits. 

4. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Additionally, royal jelly has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that can aid in reducing inflammation-related conditions. Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can lead to various health issues. A study conducted on microglial cells found that the ethanol extract of royal jelly exhibited anti-inflammatory effects, potentially making it useful in the management of inflammation-related diseases (Jung et al., 2009). 

5. HORMONE SUPPORT DURING PMS, MENOPAUSE & POST MENOPAUSE 

To top it all off, and put the crown on the queen’s head, royal jelly has been shown to improve symptoms in those experiencing PMS, during the stages of reproductive years, menopause and post menopause.  For example, during one clinical study of women aged 45-60 experiencing menopause symptoms, the investigators observed that after 8 weeks of 1 g/day royal jelly intake, the menopausal score recorded a significant decrease in comparison with the placebo group. (Sharif S.N. at al, 2019) and another where royal jelly was shown to improve other symptoms such as mental and physical (Asama T, et al, 2018).  

In another study women taking 1g/day of oral royal jelly for 8 weeks, they were able to decrease the severity of the premenstrual syndrome and to improve the quality of life in reproductive-aged women. (Taavoni S. et al, 2014) 

The hormonal supporting actions of royal jelly are attributed to its traditional nutritive profile and unique compounds.  It also has similarities related to estrogen which is why it is used by postmenopausal women for the improvement and treatment of menopause-related complications and aging-related pathologies.  

BODY AND SKIN

But why limit the benefits of royal jelly to just internal use? Your skin deserves some love too! Incorporating this superfood into your skincare routine can help nourish and rejuvenate your complexion from within. Topical application of royal jelly has been found to enhance skin hydration and elasticity. A clinical study revealed that participants who used royal jelly-based skincare products experienced improved skin moisture and elasticity compared to the control group (Matsui et al., 2005). It's like giving your skin a luxurious spa treatment every day! 

Our favourite products with Royal Jelly are: 

1. Beauty and the Bee Skin Moisturizer Cream with royal jelly and 3 other beehive superstars.  It’s a top seller for a reason and you will see why once you try it.  
2. Dutchman’s Gold Royal Jelly Capsules guaranteeing 4-6% 10 HDA (a very important bioactive compound found in royal jelly giving it it’s secret sauce)  
3. Dutchman’s Gold Honey with Royal Jelly which is a spreadable great on toast or on it’s own by the spoonful 
4. Beauty and the Bee Daily Spa Soap with Royal Jelly and Lavender. Lather up with this luscious   

In conclusion, don't miss out on the incredible benefits of royal jelly as both a superfood supplement and skincare ingredient. Embrace its power for improved well-being inside out! Unlock the secret behind radiant skin today. 

Dutchman’s Gold is a Bee Friendly Company. 

Read more about their Bee Friendly Promise here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Angela Van Alten/Ysseldyk is a second-generation entrepreneur and co-owner of Dutchman’s Gold.   She is the eldest daughter of John and Annie Van Alten, Dutchman's Gold founders.  Angela is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner and holds a degree in Business.  She has worked with some of Canada's top vitamin brands in various roles over the last 25 years, helping Canadians achieve optimal wellness.  Her mission is to empower people to have an extraordinary life, while spreading Beehive Goodness at Dutchman's Gold.

REFERENCES: 

1. Barac, A., Demyrchi, A., Dragan, S., & Popescu-Miclosanu, E. (2019). Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of royal jelly - Review. Romanian Biotechnological Letters, 24(5), 1685-1692. 
2. Blum, M. S., Novak, A. F., & Taber, S. (2009). 10-Hydroxy-Δ2-decenoic acid, an antibiotic found in royal jelly.Science, 8(1), 77-79. 
3. Fujii, A., Hayashi, K., Mori, I., Nakamura, J., & Sakamoto, W. (2021).Comprehensive analysis of elements and minerals in royal jelly by ICP-AES/MS. Foods, 10(4), 748. 
4. Jung, J. W., Kim, Y. S., Park, S. Y., Park, W. S., & Choe, Y. H. (2009). Anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract of royal jelly in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Journal of Medicinal Food, 12(5), 1087-1094. 
5. Lin, S. J., Lee, Y. T., & Yang, C. C. (2017). Royal jelly protects against ultraviolet B-induced photoaging in human skin fibroblasts via enhancing collagen production and antioxidative capacity. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017, 1-8. doi:10.1155/2017/8479896 
6. Matsui, M. S., Motomura, S., Watanabe, S., et al.(2005). Effects of royal jelly on skin properties: A clinical study. Journal of Traditional Medicines, 22(3), 219-220. 
7. Smith, K. L., Patterson, D., & Milne, R. (2012). The effects of royal jelly supplementation on cognition and inflammation in elderly individuals with subjective cognitive decline: A randomized controlled trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012, 1-7. doi:10.1155/2012/318765 
8. Sharif S.N., Darsareh F. (2019) Effect of royal jelly on menopausal symptoms: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Complement. Ther. Clin. Pract. ;37:47–50. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.08.006. 
9. Taavoni S., Barkhordari F., Goushegir A., Haghani H. (2014) Effect of royal jelly on premenstrual syndrome among Iranian medical sciences students: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study. Complement. Ther. Med ;22:601–606. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2014.05.004  
10. Asama T., Matsuzaki H., Fukushima S., Tatefuji T., Hashimoto K., Takeda T. (2018) Royal jelly supplementation improves menopausal symptoms such as backache, low back pain, and anxiety in postmenopausal Japanese women. Evid. Complement. Alternat. Med.:4868412.