Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an antioxidant enzyme specifically created to protect against superoxide, the most common free radical. Different forms of SOD are produced and used in different parts of the cell, and they require different minerals, like zinc, copper, and manganese, as cofactors.1 Levels of this enzyme decline with age. A supplement which provides 5 million units per day or more is recommended.2 SOD is found in many green plants, including wheat and barley grass, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
Enzymes are protein constituents which are found in every living plant and animal. They are imperative for possibly every body function and are therefore necessary for life. Each enzyme has a unique function. Enzymes play a vital role in digestion, tissue reparation, and detoxifying organs such as the lungs, colon, and kidneys.
Enzymes can be obtained from food or made in the body but cannot be manufactured synthetically. Because they are quite sensitive to heat, enzymes in foods are easily destroyed during cooking. Commercially available enzymes are derived from animal or plant extracts. Supplemental enzymes are available to consumers in tablet, capsule, powder, and liquid forms. The majority of these enzymes are used as digestive aids, though metabolic enzymes are also available.
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