A Health Promoting and Anti-Aging Nutraceutical Product

Oxygen metabolism is essential for life.

Oxygen metabolism is not only essential for respiration; it is also an effective mechanism that controls the natural defence system at the cellular and tissue level. The oxygen derivatives produced by cells are essential for the anti-microbial and immune (innate and adaptive) defences. Under "normal" conditions, these free radicals must be considered cell-transducing signals that control the basic expression of different genes and proteins that control "normal cell physiology". Gene and cellular functions responsible for maintaining human health are principally controlled by intra-cellular mechanisms of oxygen-reduction (redox). However, the uncontrolled production of these oxygen free radical species leads to the development of inflammatory and/or degenerative diseases. The delicate balance between intracellular oxidants and anti-oxidants is regulated at the cellular level by cell-to-cell interactions, hormones, cytokines and other mediators, thus influencing health, aging and longevity.
 
Free radicals and/or chemical related compounds, when produced in excess, are responsible for cellular toxicity and contribute to the longterm development of most inflammatory-related diseases. In fact, the molecular and cellular activities of free radicals are highly dependent upon the threshold of production of these chemical entities.
Under "normal" conditions the potential excess production of free radicals is buffered by anti-oxidant enzymes and/or quenching molecules.
 
The disturbance of the delicate equilibrium between oxidant and anti-oxidant molecules is mainly initiated by pathogens (virus, bacteria etc.) and/or antigens (nutritional products, allergens, vaccine etc.) and is regulated positively or negatively by various immune reactions.

The majority of free radical actions can be divided in seven Immuno-Redox overlapping categories:
1. cytokine, growth factor, hormone and mediator action and secretion,
2. ion transport,
3. alteration of cell signalling,
4. transcription,
5. gene activation and/or repression,
6. alteration of mitochondrial functions, and
cell death by apoptosis

These observations led to the development of a large number of anti-oxidant products (nutrients and drugs). However, until now the development of these products has not been optimal for two main reasons. Previous products often had poor bioavailability, and the complexity of the dynamic equilibrium between free radicals and the related anti-oxidants has always been underestimated.
 
Superoxide Dismutase (SOD):
Among anti-oxidants, the Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) enzyme family appears to be the most potent system to revitalize and reduce the rate of cell destruction. It promotes the removal of the super-oxide anion free radical by dismutation and therefore constitutes an important system for protecting cells and tissues against degeneration and death.
 
Zinc and copper also aid the body’s utilization of SOD. SOD levels tend to decline with age, while free radical production increases. Supplemental SOD’s potential as an anti-aging treatment is currently being explored.
 
There are three chemical variants of this enzyme in mammals. The two copper/zinc forms are the cytoplasmic and the extracellular Cu/Zn-SOD. These two kinds of Cu/Zn-SOD neutralize the production of free radicals resulting from normal and/or adaptive metabolic activities that take place in the cytoplasm of the cells and in other biological fluids. The manganese form (Mn-SOD) is active in the mitochondria, organelles within the cells where energy is produced.
 
SOD occurs naturally in barley grass, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, wheat grass, melon and most green plants. Bovine-derived SOD has also been used as a therapeutic agent, and it is also available in nutritional supplement forms. However, to produce health effects, SOD nutritional supplements must be protected against the digestive process in the stomach. In addition, it must be absorbed in its native form at the small intestine to elicit its pharmacological properties.