Super Antioxidant Superoxide Dismutase

I first heard about Superoxide Dismutase about 12 years ago from a man called Les Dyne, who claims he used Green Barley to reduce a football sized cancer in his bowel. One of the reasons he gave for this phenomenal 'cure' was that green barley is one of the best food sources of superoxide dismutase or SOD.

SOD is an essential systemic enzyme found in every cell. What does that mean? Unlike digestive enzyme which are found in the saliva, stomach and bowel and are used to digest or break down your food, systemic enzymes like SOD act as catalysts in all cellular reactions and break down the cellular 'garbage' created in the body through normal chemical reactions as the cells go about their business of keeping us healthy. One of these garbage products created in the body and by far the most common free radical is superoxide.

Superoxide Dismutase is the key to keeping superoxide under control within our cells, and acts as both an antioxidant and an antiinflammatory in the body, neutralising the free radicals that lead to aging within the body and in the skin. SOD also helps the body use zinc, copper and maganese and has been used to treat arthritis, prostate problems, corneal ulcers, burn injuries, inflammatory diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and long term damage from exposure to smoke and radiation, and to prevent side of effects of cancer drugs.

SOD levels decline with age, while free radical production increases and scientists are now suggesting that aging is a disease, rather than an inevitability as it seems that the main reason we age is that free radical production goes up while our production of the super antioxidants: superoxide dismutase, glutathione and others goes down.

"Superoxide dusmutase (SOD) is an enzyme that removes the superoxide radical. We hear a lot in nutritional news about "antioxidants". Think of SOD as a natural antioxidant. Since cancer cells produce more oxidants than normal cells, they can basically oxidise themselves to death." University of Oxford

A deficiency of SOD results in a the immunodeficiency syndrome known as Chronic Granulomatous Disease, as syndrome characterised by extreme susceptiblity to infection, very much like the AIDS virus causes. SOD..."protects oxygen-metabolising cells against harmful effects of superoxide free-radicals" (Petkau et al. 1975; Fridovich 1972/73; Lavelle et al. 1973; Paschen and Weser 1973).

Benefits of increasing SOD within the body:

• revitalises cells and reduces that rate of cell destruction;
• clinically proven to relieve minor muscle soreness after exercise;

• promotes health joint structure and function;

• supports the respiratory system;

• enhances the immune system;

• helps support vision and promote neurological and cardiovascular health;

• systemic enxyme and antioxidant;

• anti-aging benefits.

Every cell in the body uses SOD to combat damaging free radicals produced by normal cellular reactions. Superoxide is the most dangerous and prevalent free radical produced in the body because it requires three electrons to rebalance itself. Most free radicals only seek one electron. SOD exerts this benefit in both the mitochondria and the cytoplasm of the cell. It helps to protect the integrity of the joints, and the immune system from damage as well as reduce oxidative damage to the cells of the respiratory system.

Studies also suggest that SOD may help protect the heart and cardiovascular system cells from free radicals and protect the nervous system, the immune system and the eyes. SOD can be found in green barley, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, and other green plants. It is also available in supplement form, although it has not been a real success as it is does not pass through the stomach unharmed, so it is far better to find a form of supplementation that increases SOD production naturally in the body for best results.