OK, so have you ever wondered if all the talk about bee products and apitherapy has any real positive effects for athletes and people with an active lifestyle? Recently I was talking with an apiarist - "a keeper of bees" - who shared some very interesting bee information with me.

More specifically, information suggesting bee pollen can rejuvenate your body, boost energy and enhance endurance, to name a few. It seems bee pollen's ability to noticeably increase a person's energy level makes it a favorite substance among elite and amateur athletes alike.

Now before I get too far into the honey jar touting bee pollen, it would be fair to say that not all the research clearly supports bee pollen as an energy booster. There are, however, a number of inconclusive U.S. studies that support the fact that bee pollen contains amino acids that are known to help support and regulate bodily functions. So let's examine a few facts regarding bee pollen.

Since bees use pollen to sustain a hive it must be pretty good stuff, right? So what makes bee pollen so amazing? Bee pollen varies greatly depending on the region of the world. The differences can be striking based on local flora, location of a hive even within a few miles of other hives based on plant density, population and microclimates in small geographic areas.

When bees gather pollen, the pollen granules stick to their head, body and legs. Once the bees bring the pollen back to the hive, it is moistened with nectar or honey, and packed into the combs of the hive. Bee pollen is the main source of food - primarily protein - for the hive and is used to nourish the hive's young.

So what's in the pollen?

A good example of how the type of plant defines the makeup of the pollen can be found in the well-known New Zealand, manuka pollen. Manuka pollen - which comes from Leptospermum scoparium and Leptospermum ericoides, also known as the red or white tea tree plants - has medicinal properties used for antibacterial, cold and flu fighting qualities.

Bee pollen in general is a complete and nutrient-dense food source. It contains all 22 amino acids, Provitamin A, B-1 Thiamin, B-2 Riboflavin, B-3 Niacin, B-5, B-6 Pyridoxine, B-12, Pantothenic acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Folic Acid, Rutin, antioxidants and a host of 25 minerals, 59 trace elements.

Bee pollen also contains polyunsaturated and monounsaturated (good) fats and again, depending on which plants the pollen is collected from, will define the percentage of fat in the pollen. A good example of this is found in the pollen collected from dandelions, which have one of the highest percentages of fat found in plant pollen.

At first glance, bee pollen looks like tiny yellow, tan, orange and brown balls. The taste is somewhat bitter to sweet but again this depends on the type of plants the pollen is gathered from. Overall, bee pollen has a fairly strong bitter nut-like aftertaste and to most folks eating it straight can be pretty yucky. I started using bee pollen to write this column and find mixing it with a little honey really helps with the taste.

The one interesting aspect of bee pollen is how quickly the human body absorbs it once it is consumed. Studies have shown bee pollen enters the blood stream rapidly and does show anti-inflammatory and circulatory-stimulating properties in a high number of test subjects. Some research indicates that bee pollen appears to reduce blood fat levels due to lecithin in the pollen. Lecithin is a substance that helps lower, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and at the same time helps increase high-density lipoproteins (HDL).

Does bee pollen really work?

Many advocates have touted the fact that bee pollen will boost your energy, increase your stamina and even cure the common cold. Unfortunately, scientific research has not been able to supply definitive evidence that bee pollen has energy-producing properties that will effectively boost athletic performance.

Not all bee pollen is created equally. Be sure to purchase fresh bee pollen if you're going to try it. Heat treated or pasteurized bee pollen loses a lot of its nutrient value so keep that in mind. Bee pollen can also be contaminated with pesticides and herbicides, so knowing where the product comes from is also important.

Based on the fact that bee pollen is a nutrient-dense source of protein and essential vitamins and minerals, it can be a healthy supplement for some. Bee pollen is a rich source for carotenoids, flavonoids and phytosterols, which are all phytochemicals. Phyotchemicals are compounds that are antioxidants or provide healthy properties for the human body. I also think it's important to note that there have been clinical trials showing that the use of bee pollen can improve gastric ulcers, prostate enlargement and inflammation.

Bee pollen is not for everyone and caution should be used if you are going to try it. If you are allergic to bees, honey or other bee products it is likely you will be allergic to bee pollen. If you have hay fever or are allergic to bees you should check with your doctor before taking bee pollen or other bee products.

Judd Jones is a director for the Hagadone Corporation.