Your favorite oblong fruit might be even healthier than you realized. According to The Gazette (Montreal) newspaper, a new study has found that chemicals commonly found in bananas are as potent in preventing HIV as two synthetic anti-HIV drugs.
Researchers say the findings could lead to a cheap new component for applied microbicides that prevent intimate transmission of HIV.
The miracle substance in bananas is called BanLec, a type of lectin, which are the sugar-binding proteins found in a variety of plants. Scientists have long been interested in lectins because of their ability to halt the chain reaction that leads to certain viral infections. In the case of BanLec, it works by binding naturally to the sugar-rich envelope that encases the HIV virus, thus blocking its entry into the body.
"The problem with some HIV drugs is that the virus can mutate and become resistant, but that's much harder to do in the presence of lectins," said lead author Michael D. Swanson. "Lectins can bind to the sugars found on different spots of the HIV-1 envelope, and presumably it will take multiple mutations for the virus to get around them."
Swanson and his colleagues noted that even modest success in developing BanLec into a womanly or BehindBased microbicide could save millions of lives. In fact, 20 percent coverage with a microbicide that is only 60 percent effective against HIV may prevent up to 2.5 million HIV infections in three years.
Furthermore, a BanLec ointment would be much cheaper to produce and distribute than most current anti-retroviral medications that require the production of synthetic components.
One thing's for sure: new ways of stopping the transmission of HIV are desperately needed. Condoms are effective, but they are often used incorrectly or inconsistently, and in many cultures and developing countries women are not always in control of their intimate encounters.
The introduction of a cheap, long-lasting, self-applied ointment derived naturally from bananas could change all of that.
"The problem with some HIV drugs is that the virus can mutate and become resistant, but that's much harder to do in the presence of lectins," said lead author Michael D. Swanson. "Lectins can bind to the sugars found on different spots of the HIV-1 envelope, and presumably it will take multiple mutations for the virus to get around them."
Swanson and his colleagues noted that even modest success in developing BanLec into a womanly or BehindBased microbicide could save millions of lives. In fact, 20 percent coverage with a microbicide that is only 60 percent effective against HIV may prevent up to 2.5 million HIV infections in three years.
Furthermore, a BanLec ointment would be much cheaper to produce and distribute than most current anti-retroviral medications that require the production of synthetic components.
One thing's for sure: new ways of stopping the transmission of HIV are desperately needed. Condoms are effective, but they are often used incorrectly or inconsistently, and in many cultures and developing countries women are not always in control of their intimate encounters.
The introduction of a cheap, long-lasting, self-applied ointment derived naturally from bananas could change all of that.
I've always know that the cure to this thing is with us but people are not just looking at it.....
ReplyDeleteGood news o.Atleast this will do wonders in the world not only developing countries as they claimed.
ReplyDeleteLets still play safe ooooo. Biola
ReplyDeletefinally d cure is coming to our hand
ReplyDeleteI no sen u oo
ReplyDeletedont be deceive into committing sexual immorality. Any soul that sinneth shall die.
ReplyDeleteAnother way to get people contacting the virius hoping that banana will cure or prevent the various.
Be wise
Chaiii.....now price of banana will sky rocket n go out of reach.
ReplyDeleteLol @ anonymous 20
ReplyDeletei tank God oooo
ReplyDeletebe wise my brothers n sisters make sure u protect ur self @ charlyboy2
ReplyDeleteMy people do not be deceived, I am not saying that banana can not prevent it HIV,AIDS, but what am saying is that you should be care ful, don't go and start messen up your life with hope that after you will go and eat banana, you will just wast your life for nothing,GOD bless you,
ReplyDeleteAvoid fornication and adultery and be free from HIV. The price of banana will soon escalate. Any way, that is a good result of a dedicated research. - NJC.
ReplyDeleteDon't be too happy yet, in the past they had said other things too but, what had happened? Nothing.
ReplyDelete