Scientists from the National University of Sao Paulo found that a daily dose of 500 mg of propolis is safe and helps fight premature aging and immune dysfunction in people with HIV. Research published in the journal Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy.
Researchers followed the health of 40 participants with HIV for 90 days. Half of them took 500 mg of propolis daily, a resin that bees use to make hives.
Propolis intake was not accompanied by any side effects. Participants who took it had increased levels of magnesium in the blood. Additionally, plasma levels of malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress associated with various diseases, inflammation, and aging, were decreased.
Scientists believe the observed effects were related to taking propolis as the participants did not have lifestyle changes. They stated that although people living with HIV have a normal life expectancy thanks to current treatments, they still face the problem of premature aging.
This process most strongly affects the immune system and can lead to the development of diabetes, hypertension or cancer. This premature aging process is driven by sustained activation of the immune system, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress due to cell damage from free radicals.
Scientists say more research is needed before propolis can be recommended as an effective intervention for patients.
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