Spermidine is a natural compound found in some foods (like wheat germ) and cells that may slow down aging. It creates autophagy, prevents cancer, improves healing, memory and slows cognitive decline.

Understanding how spermidine works to combat aging requires an understanding of how fasting slows down the aging process. When one fasts, after 72 hours, autophagy starts, which is the natural process where the body recycles and repairs damaged or dysfunctional cells. This healing process can have countless benefits which can include reduced pain, improved immune function, blood sugar, weight loss and much more. It is actually considered a key in disease prevention such as cancer, neurodegeneration, cardiomyopathy, diabetes, liver disease, autoimmune diseases and infections.

One of the ways it does this is by dissolving amyloid-beta proteins through autophagy. These plaques can build up in the brain and are thought to be related to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Indeed, a study showed early signs that spermidine could prevent memory loss in older people suffering from dementia.

Unfortunately, the cells in our body accumulate damage as we age, increasing our propensity for heath problems. Likewise, our natural spermidine levels gradually decline with age.

Spermidine creates autophagy without fasting!

Sounds fantastic, right? Obviously, not many people enjoy doing 3-day fasts on a regular basis!

Eating foods high in spermidine and taking spermidine supplements can correct this, and limit the impact of aging on longevity.


Spermidine is found in the following foods:

• Vegetables: Consuming your veggies can have additional benefits as spermidine is present in numerous whole foods (mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, and fresh green pepper.


• Cereals: A variety of cereals, in particular wheat germ, contain high amounts of spermidine and are a common source for spermidine supplements. Spermidine is also found in soybean products typical to Japanese food like natto, legumes, shitake mushroom, amaranth grain and durian.


• Aged cheeses, such as cheddar, parmesan, gruyere, etc.


• Fruit, such as mango and especially red wine.

Typical daily supplemental doses of spermidine are just 10 mg daily.


References

Fontana, L. The scientific basis of caloric restriction leading to longer life. Curr. Opin. Gastroenterol. 25, 144–150 (2009). Green, C. L., Lamming, D. W. & Fontana, L. Molecular mechanisms of dietary restriction promoting health and longevity. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell. Biol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41580-021- 00411-4 (2021).

Hofer, Sebastian J Mechanisms of spermidine-induced autophagy and geroprotection. Nat Aging . 2022 Dec;2(12):1112-1129. doi: 10.1038/s43587-022-00322-9. Epub 2022 Dec 22.

Pekar, Thomas, The positive effect of spermidine in older adults suffering from dementia, Weiner Klinische Wochenschrift, Nov. 19, 2020.