Many people harbor a mix of fear and curiosity when it comes to bees. While bee stings are often associated with pain and allergic reactions, some are exploring bee venom therapy for potential health benefits, including weight loss. But is this trend truly helpful, and what are the risks involved?
What is Bee Venom Therapy?
Bee venom therapy introduces bee venom into the body through manual injection or bee stings. Bee venom (BV) has been widely used in the treatment of certain immune-related diseases. An article from the journal Molecules notes bee venom is finding its way into treating various human illnesses.
Packed within the venom are potent elements like peptides and enzymes, which are believed to combat inflammation and central nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, arthritis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Bee venom also shows potential benefits against diverse cancer types and boasts antiviral properties, even for helping counter the formidable human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Potential Health Benefits of Bee Venom Therapy
Although many people fear bee stings, their venom can provide various health benefits. Bee venom has been used for pain relief and in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.
“Bee venom is believed to reduce pain and inflammation, especially with arthritis," said Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, an internationally recognized expert and educator in integrative medicine and herbal medicine and in women’s health. She noted that beekeepers talk about how often they get stung. "They commonly mention that they experience less pain and inflammation," Low Dog said. "That’s why so many people are talking about the potential benefits of bee venom.”
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Practitioners may use bee venom therapy experimentally to help control pain and inflammation related to arthritis and other health concerns.
Bee Venom for Skin Health
Using quality topical products containing bee venom for skin health may have powerful benefits. Bee venom may offer potent anti-inflammatory properties that could benefit skin health, immunity, motor function, and arthritis symptoms.
- Atopic Dermatitis: Studies suggest that the topical application of bee venom may be beneficial for those suffering from atopic dermatitis.
- Psoriasis: Research indicates that bee venom may be helpful to improve psoriasis. One study found that 92% of the treatment group had complete disappearance of all psoriasis lesions after bee venom injections.
- Acne: Studies indicate that bee venom may have anti-bacterial activities that benefit acne.
- Youthful Skin: Bee venom helped to repair cell damage and increase collagen formation in a test-tube study. A clinical trial found that bee venom cosmetic had reduced the total number and depth of the women’s wrinkles.
Bee Venom and Weight Loss: What Does the Research Say?
Despite its extensive use, there is little documented evidence to demonstrate its medicinal utility against obesity. In a study, researchers demonstrated the inhibitory effects of BV on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells and on a high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mouse model through the inhibition of adipogenesis.
BV inhibited lipid accumulation, visualized by Oil Red O staining, without cytotoxicity in the 3T3-L1 cells. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed either a HFD or a control diet for 8 weeks, and BV (0.1 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg) or saline was injected during the last 4 weeks. BV-treated mice showed a reduced body weight gain.
BV was shown to inhibit adipogenesis by downregulating the expression of the transcription factors CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs) and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. BV induced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in the cell line and in obese mice.
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How Bee Venom Impacts Adipogenesis
Adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation are both processes related to the development of obesity. During MCE, the number of cells increases 3- to 4-fold. Several studies have identified that the suppression of adipocyte differentiation occurs through the inhibition of MCE. BV treatment inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner.
As differentiation progresses, lipid accumulation and numerous adipogenic genes upregulate adipogenesis through the adipocyte-specific transcription factors, C/EBPs and PPARγ. In this study, BV decreased the expression of C/EBPs and PPARγ in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and in adipose tissue in the HFD-fed obese mice.
The BV injected group exhibited decreased HFD-induced body and fat weight. Increase of body and fat weight are closely related warning signs for health issues.
Histological analysis revealed a greater number of hypertrophied cells in the adipose tissue of the HFD group, whereas the BV injection suppressed adipocyte size in HFD-induced adipose tissue. The activity of AMPK in adipose tissue is a useful marker for metabolic disease. ACC, which is a major fatty acid synthetic enzyme, is reduced by the activation of AMPK.
Bee Venom and the Immune System
Bee venom has been widely used in the treatment of certain immune-related diseases. Research from 2022 on the biological effects of animal venom found that bee venom specifically had multiple immunomodulatory effects on the human immune system. Bee venom suppressed inflammatory responses by lowering levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and autoimmune markers. Repeated low doses of bee venom strengthened immune tolerance.
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Researchers concluded that even though some components in bee venom, like melittin, activated the immune response (allergy or inflammation) and could even harm immune cells, it also shifted the immune system from an inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory focus.
Side Effects and Risks of Bee Venom Therapy
Low Dog advises allergy testing due to the potential for allergic reactions. Common side effects include redness and swelling. The most serious risk associated with bee venom is anaphylaxis (systemic allergy). Professional supervision for any therapeutic use of bee venom is essential.
“The most common side effects of bee venom therapy include redness and swelling at the site,” Low Dog said. Patients can use ice or ibuprofen to relieve discomfort. Even people that see the benefits of bee venom therapy complain of redness and swelling, so this is usual.
Though bee venom therapy is likely safe when injected into the skin by a trained professional, there are other potential side effects besides the risk of an allergic reaction. They include:
- Itching
- Trouble breathing
- Chest tightness
- Heart palpitations
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sleepiness or fainting episodes
- Low blood pressure
- Anxiety or confusion
Severe toxic or neurological reactions: High doses of bee venom may lead to toxicity. Research suggests repeated or high-dose bee venom applications may lead to severe and persistent muscle burning pain, tissue necrosis (damage or death), and premature destruction of red blood cells.
Potential Drug Interactions of Bee Venom Therapy
Low Dog said she was not aware of any drug interactions, but she offered a caveat. “It is important to remember that much of the research on bee venom therapy has been experimental," Low Dog said. "It’s not a common therapy. However, a potential immune response could be a problem for you if you take an immunosuppressant.”
Dosage for Bee Venom Therapy
Many articles about bee venom therapy found online discuss a process that allows bees to sting you directly to deliver their venom. However, this practice is now considered outdated.
“Now, we can extract bee venom without killing the bees," Low Dog said. "The venom can be administered with an injection or with an acupuncture needle. The acupuncture points are used for the delivery.”
For this reason and insufficient research, there are no clear dosage recommendations for bee venom therapy.
What a Doctor Says
“Medically, bee venom therapy is a very experimental approach,” said Low Dog. “And bee venom is not FDA-approved for anything besides desensitizing you from allergic reactions. This is something done by an allergist."
There's little research to go on, she pointed out. Do allergy testing first, especially if you have never had a bee sting before.