Lee Swanson Research Update

SOD Supplement Protects Against Exercise-Related Inflammation

July 2011

A superoxide dismutase (SOD) supplement, GliSODin®, may reduce levels of inflammatory markers produced during strenuous exercise, says a new study with members of the Polish National Rowing Team.

A daily dose of 500 mg of the SOD supplement was associated with a reduction in levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a well-established marker of inflammation, whereas CRP levels increased significantly in the placebo group, according to findings published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.

SOD has a different mode of action than vitamins. Dubbed "the enzyme of life" when first discovered in 1968, it is the first antioxidant mobilized by the cells for defense. It is thought to be more powerful than antioxidant vitamins as it activates the body’s production of its own antioxidants, including catalase and glutathione peroxidase.

GliSODin is a patented combination of SOD extracted from cantaloupe melon and wheat gliadin.

"To the best of our knowledge, it is the first study to investigate the results of supplementation with melon extract on changes in redox parameters induced by exercise," wrote the researchers from the University School of Physical Education in Poznan, Poland.

"We observed decreased CRP levels after supplementation with GliSODin, which suggests that melon extract may have anti-inflammatory effects in intensively training athletes," they added.

The Polish researchers recruited 19 members of the Polish National Rowing Team and randomly assigned them to receive either a daily 500 mg dose of GliSODin or placebo for six weeks. Blood samples were taken before, immediately after and 24 hours after a 2,000 meter maximum-effort test on a rowing ergometer.

Results showed that the rowers who took the supplements displayed a significant increase in SOD activity in their blood, compared with placebo.

CRP levels were significantly reduced in the supplementation group, but not in the placebo group, said the researchers. However, there was no evidence of muscle damage as a result of exercise in either of the groups.

"In conclusion, supplementation with an extract rich in SOD activity promoted antioxidant status and protected against increased inflammation in the serum of professional rowers," wrote the researchers.

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism 21(2):124-134, 2011

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