Catalase

Catalase

Catalase is a common enzyme found in nearly all living organisms using oxygen. As a highly potent antioxidant, it helps combat harmful free radicals in the body such as hydrogen peroxide, by converting them into harmless substances. Specifically, catalase breaks down millions of hydrogen peroxide molecules into water and oxygen in just one second, which is then reused by the body. As we age, our body produces less catalase, preventing the hydrogen peroxide from being broken down. Fortunately, we can restore catalase to its youthful levels by taking catalase supplements in the form of capsules and pills.

Benefits of Catalase

Because of its scientifically-proven powerful antioxidant properties, catalase can provide a wide array of health benefits, including:

Potential Cure for Gray Hair and Vitiligo

People’s hair goes gray because of massive build-up of hydrogen peroxide in hair follicles. Increased level of this harmful free radical causes hair to bleach itself from the inside out. In 2013, researchers from the United Kingdom and Germany reported that massive build-up of hydrogen peroxide can be reversed with PC-KUS, a modified pseudocatalase.[1] In addition, the researchers concluded that the treatment can also treat patients with vitiligo, a long-term skin problem in which white patches of skin appear on certain sections of skin. After the treatment period, researchers observed that PC-KUS treatment led to restoration of the patient’s original skin and hair color, suggesting that this catalase treatment is effective in combating free radicals.

Anti-Aging

An overwhelming body of clinical research strongly suggests that increased levels of free radicals known as reactive oxygen species (ROS) accelerates the aging process and that catalase has potent anti-aging properties.[2-5] According to these studies, catalase brings down the levels of ROS and hydrogen peroxide and neutralize their harmful effects on the body.

Increased Life Span

Numerous studies suggest that there is a direct link between the catalase enzyme, free radical damage and extending human life span.[6-8] Also, these studies suggest that the ability of catalase enzyme to reduce free radical damage may help ward off a wide array of degenerative diseases, therefore prolonging life span.

Improved Exercise Recovery

There is increasing evidence that higher levels of catalase in the body may help prevent exercise-induced muscle damage by combating free radicals.[9] A 2013 study investigated the changes in oxidative stress biomarkers and antioxidant status indices related to a 3-week high-intensity interval training regimen in 8 physically active males.[10] Researchers observed that training induced a marked elevation of antioxidant status indices, particularly catalase, which is believed to help counter the negative effects of oxidative stress on the muscles. This in turn can help accelerate exercise recovery after strenuous exercises.

Cancer Prevention

Numerous studies suggest that there is a strong link between high levels of free radicals, particularly hydrogen peroxide, and cancer development.[11-14] Because catalase is an important antioxidant enzyme that detoxifies hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and water, taking catalase supplements can help limit the deleterious effects of hydrogen peroxide and free radicals on the body, which ultimately lower one’s risk of cancer.

References:

1. Nordqvist, Christian. “Cure For Gray Hair And Vitiligo Found.” Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 5 May. 2013. Web. 13 Aug. 2017. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/260089.php
2. Miller RA. Biomedicine. The anti-aging sweepstakes: catalase runs for the ROSes. Science (New York, N.Y.). 2005; 308(5730):1875-6.
3. Poduslo JF, Whelan SL, Curran GL, Wengenack TM. Therapeutic benefit of polyamine-modified catalase as a scavenger of hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis transgenics. Annals of neurology. 2000; 48(6):943-7.
4. Li D, Duan D. Mitochondria-targeted antiaging gene therapy with adeno-associated viral vectors. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.). 2013; 1048:161-80.
5. Terlecky SR, Koepke JI, Walton PA. Peroxisomes and Aging. Biochimica et biophysica acta. 2006;1763(12):1749-1754. doi:10.1016/j.bbamcr.2006.08.017.
6. Imlay JA. Pathways of oxidative damage. Annual review of microbiology. 2003; 57:395-418.
7. Cutler RG. Oxidative stress and aging: catalase is a longevity determinant enzyme. Rejuvenation research. 2005; 8(3):138-40.
8. Van Zandycke SM, Sohier PJ, Smart KA. The impact of catalase expression on the replicative lifespan of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mechanisms of ageing and development. 2002; 123(4):365-73.
9. Oba T, Ishikawa T, Takaishi T, Aoki T, Yamaguchi M. Hydrogen peroxide decelerates recovery of action potential after high-frequency fatigue in skeletal muscle. Muscle & nerve. 2000; 23(10):1515-24.
10. Bogdanis GC, Stavrinou P, Fatouros IG. Short-term high-intensity interval exercise training attenuates oxidative stress responses and improves antioxidant status in healthy humans. Food and chemical toxicology: an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association. 2013; 61:171-7.
11. Pham-Huy LA, He H, Pham-Huy C. Free Radicals, Antioxidants in Disease and Health. International Journal of Biomedical Science : IJBS. 2008;4(2):89-96.
12. Florence TM. The role of free radicals in disease. Australian and New Zealand journal of ophthalmology. 1995; 23(1):3-7.
13. Rahman K. Studies on free radicals, antioxidants, and co-factors. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2007;2(2):219-236.
14. Ward JF, Evans JW, Limoli CL, Calabro-Jones PM. Radiation and hydrogen peroxide induced free radical damage to DNA. The British Journal of Cancer Supplement. 1987;8:105-112.