Royal jelly, a honeybee secretion fed to queens, is sold as a dietary supplement for health and longevity. Human evidence is strongest for easing menopausal symptoms, with smaller, less certain signals for bone, mood and cholesterol. The longevity case rests almost entirely on worms, flies and mice. The main risk is allergy, concentrated in people with asthma or other allergies. Sellers produced or funded a notable share of the research. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| LDL cholesterol | <100 mg/dL; <70 mg/dL for higher-risk individuals | Tracks lipid response |
| Fasting glucose | 75–90 mg/dL | Tracks glucose response |
| HbA1c | 4.8–5.4% | Three-month glucose average |
| Blood pressure | <120/80 mmHg | Detects additive lowering |
| INR (warfarin users only) | Prescriber's target, usually 2.0–3.0 | Detects bleeding risk |
| ALT | 10–26 U/L | Liver safety check |
| Specific IgE to royal jelly | <0.35 kU/L (negative) | Screens allergy risk |
| DHEA-S | No established target; track change from own baseline | Monitors hormonal shift |
| Bone density (DEXA) | T-score ≥ −1.0 | Tracks bone preservation |
Cadence: Baseline before starting; INR at 3–7 days for warfarin users; home blood pressure and glucose weekly for the first 4 weeks in people on related medication; lipids, glucose and liver enzymes at 12 weeks, then every 6–12 months while use continues; bone density after 1–2 years