Superoxide Dismutase
Overview
Superoxide Dismutase, also known as SOD, is an endogenous Antioxidant Enzyme - synthetic forms have also been developed. It is the fifth most abundant enzyme in the human body.
Health Benefits of Superoxide Dismutase
Aging & Life Extension
SOD possesses Life Extension potential (the animals of any given species that life the longest are those that have the highest SOD levels). [1]
Cardiovascular System
SOD may help to prevent Atherosclerosis. [2]
Cardiac Muscle which has been damaged after Heart Attack through blood deprivation and Hypoxia may be greatly assisted by injected SOD.
Detoxification
SOD catalyzes the breakdown of Peroxides especially Hydrogen Peroxide.
Digestive System
SOD (administered via injection) may result in regression in Crohn's Disease patients. [3]
Ears/Hearing
Copper-Zinc SOD deficiency may increase the risk of Hearing Loss - Age-Related. [4]
SOD deficiency may increase the risk of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. [5]
Electromagnetic Radiation
Tissues hardened by Radiation Therapy may be partially restored with injected SOD. [6]
Eyes/Vision
Optimal levels of SOD in the Lens of The Eye may help to prevent Cataracts. [7]
SOD concentrates in the Lens of the Eyes (where it exerts Antioxidant effects).
Hair
SOD (applied topically) may stimulate Hair Growth and may decrease Hair Loss by preventing the inhibitory action of Superoxide Free Radicals on Nitric Oxide. [8]
Exogenous SOD applied topically is under investigation for the treatment of Male Pattern Baldness. [9]
Immune System
SOD may help to protect against many forms of Cancer: [10]
SOD may helps to prevent Cancer - Breast. [11]
The body increases its endogenous production of (Mitochondrial) SOD in the presence of Cancer - Lung (this implies that exogenous SOD may benefit the treatment of Lung Cancer). [12]
The body increases its endogenous production of (Cellular, Manganese-containing) SOD in the presence of (Cancer - Ovaries this implies that exogenous SOD may benefit the treatment of Ovarian Cancer). [13]
A patented medicine form of the Copper-Zinc form of SOD (named CuDIPS) may retard the growth of Cancer cells by penetrating the Cell Membranes of Cancer cells and scavenging the Free Radicals inside these Cells. This may result in a reduction in tumor size, a decrease in the survival times of Cancer cells and a delay in the appearance of of these Cancer cells. CuDIPS stimulates the production of Hydrogen Peroxide inside Cancer cells which contributes to its effectiveness against Cancer.
SOD (exogenous forms such as Orgotein or LIPSOD) may improve the condition of tissues that have been hardened (i.e. Fibrosis) by Radiation Therapy in Cancer patients. [6]
SOD (Mitochondrial SOD form) may cause a mild improvement in the symptoms of Influenza. [15]
Metabolism
SOD possesses potent Antioxidant properties:
SOD deactivates Superoxide Free Radicals by converting them to less destructive Hydrogen Peroxide Free Radicals (which are in turn deactivated by the Catalase enzyme) and Oxygen: [16]
SOD may facilitate the detoxification of the Liver. Anecdotal Evidence
Musculoskeletal System
Exogenous SOD (LiPSOD administered via intravenous injection) may reverse (Radiation) Fibrosis. [17]
Exogenous SOD (e.g. Orgotein administered via injection to ensure bioavailability) may alleviate Osteoarthritis. [18]
SOD may help to prevent Osteoporosis by inhibiting the generation of Superoxide Free Radicals that activate Osteoclasts (excessive activation of Osteoclasts is a fundamental cause of Osteoporosis). [19]
SOD (Cu-Zn SOD administered via injection) may help to protect against and heal Rheumatoid Arthritis: [20]
Rheumatoid Arthritis patients may exhibit deficient levels of (Cellular) SOD in their Neutrophils.
Nervous System
Early investigations with LIPSOD (administered via injection) to Alzheimer's Disease patients are very promising.
Genetically controlled deficiencies in the production of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) may cause Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Strategies that increase SOD levels/activity may be useful for the treatment or prevention of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).
Early investigations with LIPSOD (administered via injection) to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients are very promising. [21]
Endogenous SOD may help to prevent damage to Neurons. [22]
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