Super Oxide Dismutase

As a potent antioxidant that can neutralize most common free radicals, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) is an enzyme that revitalizes cells and reduces the rate of cell destruction. SOD is often thought of as the body’s first line of defense. It neutralizes the most common free radical—superoxide radical—by converting it into hydrogen peroxide and water. Because it rejuvenates cells and tissues that have become hardened or fibrotic from age, people who suffer from disease or injury benefit from a good dose of SOD.

Prevent the deleterious effects of free radicals in the body, through sublingual Superoxide Dismutase.* SOD1 is a gene found in human cells that produces superoxide dismutase (SOD), an extremely potent antioxidant enzyme that fights cellular damage from reactive singlet oxygen molecules, also known as free radicals. Research suggests that SOD may be the most important enzyme in our body for the control of free radicals, keeping our cell membranes young, supple, and healthy.* When administered therapeutically, SOD has been shown to exert strong regenerative effects on tissues that have become hardened or fibrotic because of age, disease, or injury (Lefaix, 1993). SOD therapy has been used successfully to treat fibrotic scaring of organs after radiation therapy; to prevent further heart damage in cardiac patients; and to improve severe rheumatoid arthritis. But, from recent research reported in the journal Nature Genetics, and discussed in a USA Today article, it appears that SOD’s most beneficial application may be in the anti-aging arena. SOD may in fact be most the powerful life-extending discovery of our time. When human SOD-producing SOD1 genes were inserted into the motor neuron cells of fruit flies, the extra gene encouraged fruit flies to make more than typical amounts of the antioxidant enzyme SOD. Fruit flies make SOD of their own, but when the human gene caused fruit flies to produce even more SOD, they lived 40% longer (Orr, 1994). SOD has been available for just a few short years as an oral nutritional supplement. But, oral SOD may not be as effective as other forms of SOD. Sheldon S. Hendler, M.D. points out in his well regarded book The Doctor's Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia (Simon & Schuster, 1990), SOD may be a candidate for tomorrow’s anti-aging miracle, but what’s being sold in vitamin stores is not. Although it has the same chemical composition, the SOD used by scientists and clinicians has always been an injectable, often a lipid encapsulated (LIPSOD) injectable. Reason tells us that oral forms of the SOD are probably destroyed to a high degree during digestion- such is the life of enzymes in the digestive tract. MedQuest's own sublingual SOD supplement uses pharmaceutical grade SOD and other high purity ingredients. Sublingual forms of medications, such as nitroglycerin, are placed under the tongue where large blood vessels close to the skin’s surface absorb the dissolved ingredients directly into the bloodstream. Our pharmacists believe sublingual SOD to be the best commercial form of SOD available.

Functions in the Body:
Research is showing that Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) may be the most important free radical quenching enzyme in the body. As a sublingual, Nutrascriptives SOD bypasses the stomach and liver and is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it can be distributed and used throughout the body. SOD may:

• Exert strong regenerative effects on tissues that have become hardened or fibrotic because of age, disease, or injury.
• Treat fibrotic scaring of organs after radiation therapy.
• Prevent further heart damage in cardiac patients.
• Improve severe rheumatoid arthritis.