Oxygen is necessary for life but, unfortunately, oxygen also causes chemical reactions within the body that generate free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that are missing electrons and are therefore unstable. In order to stabilize themselves, they must steal electrons from other molecules in the body which causes something called oxidative stress. Oxidative Stress is very damaging to the bodily tissues and causes wrinkles, muscle loss and a whole host of degenerative diseases. Oxidative stress is an ongoing process that cannot be stopped (because we need oxygen in order to live) and if left unchecked, it will eventually cause the tissues to breakdown so much that death will ensue. Lucky for us, we have discovered that antioxidants help to slow this process and that is why antioxidants are praised so highly and are considered so important.
Superoxide is a particular type of Free Radical that is present in your body partly due to the actions of the immune system as it attacks invading pathogens. If I understand it correctly, superoxide can almost be thought of as a byproduct of the immune response. Unfortunately, this byproduct is a very toxic free radical because it needs to steal three electrons in order to stabilize itself while most free radicals only need to steal one electron. Because of this, Superoxide is recognized as one of the main causes of oxidative stress on the body.
Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) is considered to be a powerful antioxidant. SOD is a class of enzymes that encourage the reduction and oxidation of superoxide into its basic components of oxygen and hydrogen peroxide thus rendering it less harmful to our cells because oxygen and hydrogen peroxide do not need to steal electrons in order to be stable.
There are three types of SOD namely SOD1, SOD2 and SOD3. SOD1 helps to protect the cell’s cytoplasm, SOD2 helps to protect the mitochondria from free radical damage and SOD3 lies outside the cells. There was a study that showed that mice lacking SOD2 died within several days after birth due to massive oxidative stress. Mice lacking SOD1 develop a wide range of problems including hepatocellular carcinoma, an acceleration of age-related muscle mass loss, an earlier incidence of cataracts and a reduced lifespan.
As an antioxidant, SOD may help to reduce wrinkles and heal scar tissue, wounds and burns more quickly. It has also shown protective benefits against harmful UVA radiation while also delaying the time it takes to get sunburned. It helps to rejuvenate cells and to reduce cellular destruction and also helps to support healthy joint structure and function.
SOD’s antioxidant activity may be particularly helpful for athletes due to the amount of free radicals generated during aerobic activity. SOD has also been shown to support arterial function and health thus improving your cardiovascular system and has been shown to effectively reduce lactate buildup in the muscles during exercise.
As well as an anti-oxidant, SOD is also an anti-inflammatory which can help manage inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and other inflammatory diseases like Alzheimer’s. It may also be helpful against the long term damage caused by smoke, radiation and cancer drugs.
SOD can be found in Cantaloupe, barley grass, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, wheatgrass, and most green plants but the process of digestion destroys the enzyme before it reaches the small intestine where it can be absorbed so food sources are pretty much useless. You can find SOD in supplement form but it needs to be taken in a form that will reach the small intestine without being destroyed by your stomach acid during digestion. There are three forms which will ensure that the enzyme is not destroyed.
1) Sub-lingual (under the tongue) supplements which are absorbed into the bloodstream immediately and bypasses the digestive process.
2) Enteric coated pills which will protect SOD from stomach acid as it goes through the digestive tract.
3) A form known as GliSODin where SOD is combined with a wheat protein called Gliadin which helps to protect it from the digestive processes. People allergic to wheat may have problems with this form though.
Places to find oral supplements Include:
Vitacost Search GliSODin
Super GliSODin
Vitaminlife Search GliSODin
You can either take the supplements in short term intervals or on a long term basis. You can read how to do this here:
GliSODin Supplementation Strategy
– For Educational Purposes Only
– Not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition
-These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA
– These statements are my opinions and conclusion from the knowledge I have thus far
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superoxide_dismutase
Accessed 04/22/09
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superoxide
Accessed 04/22/09
3. http://www.vitaminstuff.com/superoxide-dismutase.html
Accessed 04/22/09
4. http://www.plthomas.com/glisodin%202006/glisodin%20new%20bullet6%20%20Helps%20reduce%20lactic%20acid%20buildup%20in%20humns%20un%20physical%20stress.htm
Accessed: 04/22/09
5. http://www.plthomas.com/glisodin%202006/glisodin%20new%20bullet4%20%20Help%20skin%20health%20against%20photo-oxidative%20stress%20caused%20by%20uv%20rays.htm
Accessed: 04/22/09
6. http://www.squidoo.com/superoxidedismutase
Accessed: 04/22/09
Wisdom That Heals 