Royal Jelly: The Bee's Secret to Longevity and Health
Have you ever wondered why queen bees live so much longer and are more fertile than worker bees, despite having the same genes? The secret might be in their diet: royal jelly (RJ). This creamy substance, produced by worker bees, is what queen bees eat their entire lives, and it seems to have some pretty remarkable effects. Scientists are now studying royal jelly and its components to see if they can help humans live longer, healthier lives, too.
What's in Royal Jelly?
Royal jelly is a complex mixture of beneficial compounds:
● Water: Makes up 60-70% of RJ.
● Sugars: Primarily fructose and glucose, which provide energy and may have epigenetic effects.
● Lipids: Unique fatty acids like 10-hydroxydecenoic acid (10-HDA), which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and may protect against neurodegenerative disorders.
● Proteins: The main component of RJ, especially major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs), some of which have anti-aging properties. One of these proteins, royalactin, is thought to mimic the effects of epidermal growth factor, promoting cell growth and development.
● Phenols and Flavonoids: Antioxidants that help protect cells from damage.
● Amino Acids: Building blocks of proteins, including essential ones, are abundant in RJ.
● Vitamins and Minerals: RJ contains B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, and various minerals.
● Other Substances: Like acetylcholine, which is important for memory and cognitive function, and nucleotides needed for energy production.
How Does Royal Jelly Promote Longevity?
Studies on various species, including fruit flies, crickets, nematodes, and mice, have shown that RJ and its components can:
● Extend lifespan: In many studies, animals that consumed RJ lived longer compared to those that did not.
● Improve healthspan: Royal Jelly improves overall health and delays the onset of age-related diseases, making the extended lifespan healthier too.
● Enhance fertility: RJ plays a role in the reproductive capacity of queen bees, and has shown similar effects in other species.
● Reduce oxidative stress and inflammation: RJ's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help combat the damages of aging.
● Modulate key aging pathways: RJ affects several important cellular pathways including insulin signaling, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling, which are all related to aging and longevity.
● Promote cellular repair: By activating EGFR, RJ helps with the rebuilding of cellular components and detoxification.
Royal Jelly and Human Health
While studies directly examining the effect of RJ on human lifespan are limited, there is evidence that RJ can:
● Improve metabolic health: RJ may help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels, which can reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
● Alleviate menopausal symptoms: RJ may improve bone strength and relieve discomfort during menopause.
● Support cognitive function: The acetylcholine content of RJ may prevent cognitive decline, and may improve mood.
● Have anti-inflammatory effects: RJ contains components that may help with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Important Considerations
It's important to note that while RJ shows great potential, more research is needed, especially in humans. Factors like dosage, individual genetic variation, diet, and activity level can all affect how someone responds to RJ.
Conclusion
Royal jelly is a natural substance with remarkable potential for promoting health and longevity. While it's not a magic elixir, it could be a valuable addition to our quest for a longer, healthier life. As research progresses, we will undoubtedly learn even more about this fascinating bee product and its potential benefits for humans.
Source
1.Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan
2.Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21527, Egypt
Submission received: 3 September 2019 / Revised: 18 September 2019 / Accepted: 18 September 2019 / Published: 20 September 2019
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Centenarians—A Model to Study the Molecular Basis of Lifespan and Healthspan)
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BUY IT
Our queen rearing and royal jelly kit makes it easy to raise a queen bee and royal jelly without using complicated methods like grafting. Perfect for both beginners and experts, this kit helps you produce strong and healthy queens for your hives.
Whether you're into beekeeping, rearing bees for honey, or looking for no graft queen rearing methods, our kit is the best choice. Start your journey in queen bee raising today and see how simple and productive it can be!
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