Effect of Propolis on Fat Accumulation/Lipid Metabolism?
Propolis in a Beehive
Propolis is a resinous mixture that honey bees collect from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources. It is used as a sealant for unwanted open spaces in the hive. Propolis is used for small gaps (approximately 6.35 millimeters (0.3 in) or less), while larger spaces are usually filled with beeswax. Its color varies depending on its botanical source, the most common being dark brown. Propolis is sticky at and above room temperature. At lower temperatures it becomes hard and very brittle.
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Reinforce the structural stability of the hive
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Reduce vibration
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Make the hive more defensible by sealing alternate entrances
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Prevent diseases and parasites from entering the hive
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Prevent putrefaction within the hive. Bees usually carry waste out of and away from the hive. However if a small lizard or mouse, for example, found its way into the hive and died there, bees may be unable to carry it out through the hive entrance. In that case, they would attempt instead to seal the carcass in propolis, essentially mummifying it and making it odorless and harmless.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: This study examined whether propolis, which had many biological activities, affected body fat and lipid metabolism. Four-week-old Wistar rats were fed a control or propolis diet for 8 wk. The control group was fed a high-fat diet, the low and the high group were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with 0.5% (w/w) and 0.05% (w/w) propolis, respectively. The weight of total white adipose tissue of the high group was lower than that of the control group. The level of PPARγ protein in the adipose tissues of the high group was significantly lower than that of the control group. In plasma and the liver, the high group showed a significantly reduced level of cholesterol and triglyceride compared to the control group. The liver PPARα protein level of the high group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The liver HMG-CoA reductase protein in the high group was also significantly lower than that in the control group. Results from rats on an olive oil loading test were used to investigate whether propolis inhibited triglyceride absorption. The serum triglyceride level of the group, which received propolis corresponding to the daily dose of the high group, was significantly lower than that of the control group. It is possible that the administration of propolis improves the accumulation of body fat and dyslipidemia via the change of the expression of proteins involved in adipose depot and lipid metabolism.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122368824/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
May 12, 2009 3:27 pm 1 Comment
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By H. Gussow, June 14, 2009 @ 3:52 am
First- Ants are a curse to beehives no matter what size they are. You should move the hive in question. I have witnessed a forced swarming becautse ants took over and the hive no longer could fuction.
The feeder you are using is not the choice I would use at all. Internal feeders and the Borgmann feeder work best as the entrance is internal and does the best as it is direct to the hive you are servicing.
Now you have to move the hive or build a thing that would act like a “Moat” to keep the ants from going into the hive. No matter if you move or not you have to do it. You see ants leave a scent trail and they can’t swim. Most beekeepers use motor oil in (North American ) Coffee Cans and place the legs in the center of the cans. Oil is Oil so used is going to do the Job Just Fine. Hope this helps!
Respectfull Submitted
Harv.