What conditions or problems is Superoxide Dismutase used for ?

Abnormalities in the superoxide dismutase (SOD)- and zinc-dependent superoxide dismutase gene may contribute to the development of conditions like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease, in some people. It has been theorized that low levels of Superoxide Dismutase in those with ALS leaves nerve cells more vulnerable to free radical damage. Researchers have been studying the effect of vitamin E and other antioxidant supplements on the progression of this disease. Research indicates Superoxide Dismutase supplementation may also help to slow the aging process and the progression of Alzheimer's disease. However, research in this area is still preliminary and thus far has yielded conflicting results.

Superoxide Dismutase has also been used to treat conditions like osteoarthritis, prostate problems, corneal ulcers, burn injuries, inflammatory diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and long-term damage from exposure to smoke and radiation, and to prevent the problems and side effects of cancer drugs. In its topical form, Superoxide Dismutase may help to reduce facial wrinkles, scar tissue, heal wounds and burns, lighten dark or hyperpigmentation, and protect against harmful UV rays. Recent research indicates Superoxide Dismutase injections may be an effective treatment for scleroderma, an autoimmune disease that causes skin and internal tissues to become thick and inflexible.

Superoxide Dismutase may help the body to recover more successfully from traumatic injuries, including heart and lung failure, and severe head injuries. Superoxide Dismutase may also help increase the human life span—in laboratory studies animals that received a combination of Superoxide Dismutase and catalase lived longer than those that did not. However, it is too early to say if this same benefit can be duplicated in humans.












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