Contents
What is the enzyme superoxide dismutase?
The enzyme superoxide dismutase is a natural antioxidant in our body, a protein found in red blood cells. There are three variants of superoxide dismutase: SOD1, that is found in cell cytoplasm; SOD2. in the mitochondria and SOD3, in the extracellular fluid.
For this enzyme protein to function properly, it requires the participation of the minerals copper, magnesium, zinc and selenium.
This enzyme is focused on the decomposition of superoxide (O2) to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Thus, the body is able to decrease the oxidative effects caused oxygen in their cells as the free radical superoxide is the most powerful and which is more harmful to them, while the effects of hydrogen peroxide are lower.
Properties of superoxide dismutase
SOD is considered to be the main natural antioxidant. It is able to repair the damage caused by cell oxidation, reason why it is considered one of the best remedies to delay aging.
It has been demonstrated in the laboratory that mice genetically engineered not to produce this enzyme die within a few days because of a degenerative process caused by the total free radical attack.
Most mice died because they rapidly developed many degenerative diseases, such as liver cancer, muscle loss, cataracts, memory loss, hair loss, etc.
The importance of this enzyme in the body is such that, when mutations take plane in it, they can lead to major disruptions. For example, it is believed that an alteration in the variety of SOD1 may be responsible for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or excessive production of it could be related to Down syndrome.
Use of superoxide dismutase
It has been used medically as a treatment to reduce side effects of radiotherapy for cancer. The results of studies on these treatments have proven to be effective from the ninth month of treatment.
Among its positive effects, it is particularly favorable in reducing gastrointestinal symptoms or skin fibrosis that patients with cancer develop when subjected to radiation therapy.
Other studies seem to conclude that this enzyme may help lower blood pressure, improve symptoms of arthritis and prevent cataracts.
How to get superoxide dismutase?
A balanced diet rich in natural foods, generally provides the right conditions for our body to manufacture enough superoxide dismutase. To do this, the easiest thing is to eat natural foods rich in copper, foods rich in magnesium, zinc and selenium.
There are also supplements on the market of SOD for specific treatments. Some are made from a mixture of copper and zinc and other manufactured from manganese.
Supplements of superoxide dismutase can be applied externally in cream to treat wrinkles, scars, burns, skin spots, or to whiten the skin. It can be taken internally as a pill to treat arthritis, asthma or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – Crohn’s Disease or ulcerative colitis.
From an antioxidant standpoint general, the use of this supplement is used for the prevention of many degenerative diseases such as cancer, premature aging or Alzheimer’s,
More information on copper.
MINERAL LIST
| MINERALS | MACROELEMENTS | MICROELEMENTS |
| Calcium, chlorine, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium | Copper, chromium, fluorine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, iodine, zinc. |
