<\/a>The SOD Family<\/span><\/h3>\nSuperoxide dismutases are enzymes that transform the superoxide (O2<\/sub>-) radical into either ordinary oxygen (O2<\/sub>) or hydrogen peroxide (H2<\/sub>O2<\/sub>) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nSuperoxide is produced as a by-product of oxygen metabolism. If left be, it can cause widespread cell damage. Thus, SOD is an important part of antioxidant defense in all cells exposed to oxygen [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nHydrogen peroxide is also damaging, but less so. On the upside, it can also be degraded by other enzymes such as catalase<\/a> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nScientists think that SOD plays a protective role against oxidative stress<\/a>, ionizing radiation, and inflammatory cytokines [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<\/a>SOD Types<\/span><\/h3>\nThere are three types of SOD: SOD1, SOD2, and SOD3 [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nSOD1 is located in the cellular fluid, SOD2 in the mitochondria<\/a>, and SOD3 outside the cell [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nSuperoxide – the harmful molecule SOD neutralizes – is one of the main reactive oxygen species<\/a> in the cell. That\u2019s why SOD serves as a key antioxidant [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nSOD2 (also called MnSOD<\/a>) is often viewed as the most important form of SOD in humans, especially in the brain. As its name suggests, SOD2 requires manganese (Mn) to work [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<\/a>What SOD2 Does<\/span><\/h3>\nSOD2 transforms superoxide produced by the mitochondria into the less toxic hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. This allows SOD2 to clear mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS<\/a>) and confer some protection against cell death [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<\/a>Proposed Health Effects<\/span><\/h3>\n![\"http:\/\/archive.impactaging.com\/papers\/v4\/n2\/full\/100433.html\"](\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/10\/http-archive-impactaging-com-papers-v4-n2-full-1.jpeg\")
<\/strong> http:\/\/archive.impactaging.com\/papers\/v4\/n2\/full\/100433.html<\/p>\nMutations in the SOD2 gene have been associated with idiopathic cardiomyopathy (IDC) and sporadic motor neuron disease. Low activity of this enzyme has been linked with stroke, Alzheimer\u2019s and Parkinson\u2019s disease, and several aging-related diseases [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nMice lacking Sod2 die shortly after birth, amid massive oxidative stress [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nHowever, mice 50% deficient in SOD2 have a normal lifespan and minimal defects but do suffer increased DNA damage and increased the incidence of cancer [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nIn flies and yeast, higher production of Sod2 has been suggested to increase lifespan<\/a>, but this hasn\u2019t been proven in humans. We can\u2019t apply findings from simple organisms like fruit flies to humans, so we have yet to see to what extent this enzyme affects longevity in people [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nOn the other hand, scientists point out that superoxide has a few positive functions in the body: clearing infections, cellular communication, creating new mitochondria, and destroying cancer-like cells [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nAlso, researchers are investigating whether certain cancer cells overproduce SOD2 to become more invasive – at least in test tubes. This hasn\u2019t yet been looked at in humans [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nOn the whole, though, superoxide is seen as more damaging than helpful. Its harmful effects have been linked to one scientific theory that says oxidative stress<\/a> contributes to many chronic diseases. Still, whether or not superoxide can directly cause these diseases remains unclear [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<\/a>Factors that May Increase Antioxidant Defense (via SOD)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n![\"F5.large\"](\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/10\/f5-large.jpeg\")
<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Della-Morte-1\"](\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/10\/della-morte-1.jpeg\")
<\/strong><\/p>\nhttp:\/\/www.cellr4.org\/article\/852<\/p>\n
<\/a>When to See a Doctor<\/span><\/h3>\nIf your goal is to increase SOD2 because you have a chronic health problem, it\u2019s important to talk to your doctor, especially your symptoms are significantly impacting your daily life.<\/p>\n
Your doctor should diagnose and treat any underlying conditions causing your symptoms.<\/p>\n
Superoxide is produced as a by-product of oxygen metabolism. If left be, it can cause widespread cell damage. Thus, SOD is an important part of antioxidant defense in all cells exposed to oxygen [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Hydrogen peroxide is also damaging, but less so. On the upside, it can also be degraded by other enzymes such as catalase<\/a> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Scientists think that SOD plays a protective role against oxidative stress<\/a>, ionizing radiation, and inflammatory cytokines [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n There are three types of SOD: SOD1, SOD2, and SOD3 [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n SOD1 is located in the cellular fluid, SOD2 in the mitochondria<\/a>, and SOD3 outside the cell [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Superoxide – the harmful molecule SOD neutralizes – is one of the main reactive oxygen species<\/a> in the cell. That\u2019s why SOD serves as a key antioxidant [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n SOD2 (also called MnSOD<\/a>) is often viewed as the most important form of SOD in humans, especially in the brain. As its name suggests, SOD2 requires manganese (Mn) to work [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n SOD2 transforms superoxide produced by the mitochondria into the less toxic hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. This allows SOD2 to clear mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS<\/a>) and confer some protection against cell death [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Mutations in the SOD2 gene have been associated with idiopathic cardiomyopathy (IDC) and sporadic motor neuron disease. Low activity of this enzyme has been linked with stroke, Alzheimer\u2019s and Parkinson\u2019s disease, and several aging-related diseases [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Mice lacking Sod2 die shortly after birth, amid massive oxidative stress [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, mice 50% deficient in SOD2 have a normal lifespan and minimal defects but do suffer increased DNA damage and increased the incidence of cancer [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In flies and yeast, higher production of Sod2 has been suggested to increase lifespan<\/a>, but this hasn\u2019t been proven in humans. We can\u2019t apply findings from simple organisms like fruit flies to humans, so we have yet to see to what extent this enzyme affects longevity in people [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n On the other hand, scientists point out that superoxide has a few positive functions in the body: clearing infections, cellular communication, creating new mitochondria, and destroying cancer-like cells [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Also, researchers are investigating whether certain cancer cells overproduce SOD2 to become more invasive – at least in test tubes. This hasn\u2019t yet been looked at in humans [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n On the whole, though, superoxide is seen as more damaging than helpful. Its harmful effects have been linked to one scientific theory that says oxidative stress<\/a> contributes to many chronic diseases. Still, whether or not superoxide can directly cause these diseases remains unclear [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.cellr4.org\/article\/852<\/p>\n If your goal is to increase SOD2 because you have a chronic health problem, it\u2019s important to talk to your doctor, especially your symptoms are significantly impacting your daily life.<\/p>\n Your doctor should diagnose and treat any underlying conditions causing your symptoms.<\/p>\n<\/a>SOD Types<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>What SOD2 Does<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Proposed Health Effects<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/strong> http:\/\/archive.impactaging.com\/papers\/v4\/n2\/full\/100433.html<\/p>\n<\/a>Factors that May Increase Antioxidant Defense (via SOD)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>When to See a Doctor<\/span><\/h3>\n