Superoxide Dismutase

See also : Enzymes
Other Names: Orgotein, SOD, Super Dioxide Dismutase, Superóxido Dismutasa, Superoxydase Dismutase, Superoxyde Dismutase.
Superoxide dismutase is an enzyme found in all living cells. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) is a class of enzymes that repairs cells and reduces the cellular damage caused by the most common free radical in the body called superoxide. SOD acts as a catalyst which causes the dismutation of superoxide into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. As such, it provides the cells in the body with important antioxidant defense 3,500 times more powerful than Vitamin C.

Special Precautions of Superoxide Dismutase

• Injectable (shot) forms of superoxide dismutase that have been used in research studies appear to be safe. Some superoxide dismutase products are obtained from animal sources, raising concern about contamination from sick or diseased animals. Though there are no reports of people getting sick after using superoxide dismutase products taken from animals, it’s best to avoid products from animal sources until more is known.

Benefits and uses of Superoxide Dismutase are

Superoxide dismutase is an enzyme that helps break down potentially harmful oxygen molecules in cells, which might prevent damage to tissues. It is being researched to see if it can help conditions where oxygen molecules are believed to play a role in disease. Taken by mouth for removing wrinkles, rebuilding tissue, and extending the length of life. However, there is no evidence that superoxide dismutase products that are taken by mouth are absorbed by the body.

• Scavenger of free radicals
• Cancer : SOD is a naturally occurring enzyme that absorbs highly damaging free radicals and coverts them to hydrogen peroxide. Scientists have found the more susceptible a normal cell has become to carcinogens, the less SOD it has. A German version of SOD, combined with copper, has shown remarkable abilities in dealing with cancer cells, causing dramatic tumor remissions. SOD has also shown to be very useful in counteracting the effects of radiation and chemotherapy.
• Ulcers on the cornea of the eye : A sterile solution containing superoxide dismutase is sometimes applied directly to the eyes for treating ulcers on the cornea. A series of case reports suggest that a specific eye solution of superoxide dismutase might help reduce ulcer size and improve healing when applied to the eye for at least 2 weeks.
• Sports injuries.
• Gout.
• Preventing rejection of kidney transplants.
• Able to decrease the rate of cell destruction by penetrating the cell membrane, thereby protecting the integrity of DNA and the cell's lipid membrane, both of which boost the body's ability to defend against age-related symptoms and the deleterious effects of free radicals
• for removing wrinkles
• rebuilding tissue
• extending the length of life.
• As an injection : superoxide dismutase is used for treating pain and swelling (inflammation) caused by osteoarthritis, sports injuries, and rheumatoid arthritis; a kidney condition called interstitial cystitis; gout; poisoning caused by a weed-killer called paraquat; cancer; and lung problems in newborns
  • for improving tolerance to radiation therapy
  • improving rejection rates in kidney transplantation
  • minimizing heart damage caused by heart attacks.
  • treating pain and swelling (inflammation) caused by osteoarthritis
  • sports injuries
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • a kidney condition called interstitial cystitis
  • gout
  • poisoning caused by a weed-killer called paraquat
  • cancer
  • lung problems in newborns.

Food sources

• Melons, including honeydew, casaba and cantaloupe, contain the SOD enzyme. Wheat, corn and soy sprouts also have high concentrations of SOD. However, stomach acids and digestive enzymes easily destroy the SOD molecule, leaving effectively no SOD to enter the bloodstream. Fortunately in 1998, European scientists developed a bioavailable form of SOD, GliSODin, derived from melon and protected from digestion by wheat protein. Research on the GliSODin supplement shows it is absorbed into the bloodstream and significantly increases SOD levels.
• Both copper and zinc are necessary for one type of SOD enzyme (CuZnSOD) to function properly in the cell. Regardless of the presence of the SOD molecule, naturally or via GliSODin, if copper or zinc is deficient, then CuZnSOD activity decreases. Foods that are very good sources of both copper and zinc include calf’s liver, crimini mushrooms, spinach, chard, asparagus and sesame seeds.
• Found within the cell’s mitochondria, another SOD enzyme is manganese dependent (MnSOD). Regardless of SOD's presence, naturally or via GliSODin, a deficiency of the manganese cofactor results in diminished activity of MnSOD. Foods that are an excellent source of manganese include mustard greens, chard, spinach, romaine lettuce, pineapple, raspberries, strawberries, oats, brown rice and green beans.
• External (exogenous) substances that also exhibit antioxidant properties can reinforce SOD and the body’s other internal (endogenous) antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase and catalase. The most important exogenous antioxidants are vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene (precursor of vitamin A). Although many foods contain some antioxidants, only a few have sufficiently large quantities. Blueberries, strawberries and goji berries are rich in vitamin C. Wheat germ, almonds, and sunflower seeds are some foods with the highest vitamin E content. Carrots, sweet potato and spinach are foods high in beta carotene.
• Silymarin (Milk Thistle) helps increase levels of Glutathione and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) your bodies two most powerful intracellular anti-oxidants.