Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Superoxide dismutase (SOD), generally referred to as "dismutase" in supplement contexts, is an antioxidant enzyme that plays a crucial role in defending cells against oxidative stress by catalyzing the dismutation of superoxide radicals into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. Oxidative stress is implicated in the aging process, and thus, there has been scientific interest in the potential of SOD to slow or mitigate age-related cellular damage. Preclinical studies in cell cultures and animals have demonstrated that increasing SOD activity can decrease markers of oxidative damage associated with aging. However, human evidence is limited and mixed. Oral supplementation with SOD is challenging due to its degradation in the digestive tract, though some formulations (e.g., SOD encapsulated with wheat gliadin) have shown modest systemic antioxidant effects in small studies.

No large-scale, long-term clinical trials have demonstrated that SOD supplementation can effectively prevent aging or extend lifespan in humans. Most evidence supporting its use for aging prevention comes from mechanistic studies and small pilot trials focusing on antioxidant status or surrogate markers rather than direct anti-aging outcomes. Thus, while there is a plausible scientific rationale for SOD's role in aging prevention, actual clinical evidence remains preliminary and insufficient for strong recommendations. The overall evidence rating is 2 out of 5, indicating some scientific basis but lacking robust human data.

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