Recent studies have shown that spermidine can play a large role in helping our brains recover from injury. Researchers also believe that spermidine can protect our brains from injuries in the first place. Unfortunately, most Americans fail to get their recommended daily intake of spermidine. In this article, we will discuss what spermidine is, how it can positively impact the body, studies that show how it can help, and ways you can increase your spermidine intake.
What Is Spermidine?
Spermidine is a polyamine compound found in ribosomes and living tissues that has numerous health benefits. This polyamine can be found in many different types of foods and can also be obtained via supplements. It is a precursor to other polyamines, such as spermine and its structural isomer thermospermine.
Spermidine is a longevity agent in mammals due to various mechanisms of action, which are just beginning to be understood. Autophagy is the main mechanism at the molecular level, but evidence has been found for other mechanisms, including inflammation reduction, lipid metabolism, and regulation of cell growth, proliferation, and death.
What is Autophagy?
Scientists and researchers around the world have been working for decades to better understand autophagy and how to induce it. Autophagy explained may sound confusing, as there are many steps involved in the process and still many unknowns. However, we do know that the process is used as a mechanism through which the body can remove dysfunctional parts of cells and recycle them driving cellular repair, cleaning, and renewal.
The main purpose of the process is to remove debris and self-regulate back to optimal smooth function. It is believed that this process happens in the absence of external sources of food. The body begins to eat itself, replacing damaged cells in the process. Certain compounds, such as spermidine, can expedite this process.
Spermidine Can Help Protect Your Brain
Researchers and scientists are still trying to pinpoint exactly how spermidine and autophagy can help our bodies. Recent studies have shined a light on how spermidine can help protect our brain after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A recent study from the field of molecular and cellular neurobiology at Fujian Medical University has shown that spermidine has a protective regenerative effect on the brain. Here are some of the important and relevant findings from the study:
- This studied observed participants who suffered from a TBI
- The study tracked the effects spermidine had on recovery
- The study found improvements in brain swelling and the functioning of the blood-brain barrier in the spermidine-treated group
- Fewer neurons died as a result of the spermidine administration
- Researchers detected an increase in cognitive function after the brain injury was detected
- The brain was able to solve more tasks and work faster
- The spermidine content in the test group with severe brain injuries was significantly lower. This suggests that spermidine can prevent or minimize potential brain damage
The results of this study are very important as it’s one of the first studies that demonstrated that the administration of spermidine can be a treatment for craniocerebral trauma. Research regarding spermidines’ effect on the brain is still in its infancy. This can be a landmark study moving forward.
Other Benefits of Spermidine
Spermidine provides benefits that extend beyond recovery from a TBI. Again, it’s important to note that research regarding spermidine’s impact on the body is still in its infancy. With that being said, there are some benefits that we can point to with certainty. Here are some of the said benefits:
- Improved longevity - One of the biggest benefits of spermidine is that it can increase your longevity. This is because it induces autophagy in the body. We discussed the impact autophagy can have earlier in the article
- Reduced risk of liver cancer - Studies have found that spermidine leads to regeneration of the damaged liver tissue
- Increased weight loss
- The removal of toxic proteins from cells that are attributed to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease
- Recycling residual proteins
- Providing energy and building blocks for cells
There are many different ways that you can boost your spermidine count. Supplements help you get your recommended daily dosage without you having to worry about you getting it on your own through your diet. However, the easiest way to get your daily dosage of spermidine is through your diet.
What Foods Are High in Spermidine?
Spermine, which is a derivation of spermidine caused by spermine synthase, is normally found in millimolar concentrations in the nucleus. It functions directly as a free radical scavenger and forms a variety of adducts that prevent oxidative damage to DNA. The spermine synthase process is very important in the autophagy process. Here are some examples of foods high in spermidine:
- Potatoes
- Peas
- Soybeans
- Chicken
- Lentil soup
These foods will help replenish your body’s spermidine pool.
Supplements Can Help
It can be difficult to reach your recommended daily intake of spermidine simply by just consuming it in your diet. That’s why spermidine capsules and other supplements can help you do all you can to induce autophagy and reduce the unwanted effects of aging. spermidineLIFE® offers spermidine-rich capsules designed to promote cellular renewal.
We highly recommend taking your daily dose of spermidine supplements at the same time every day, preferably after you eat dinner. This makes it easy to remember to take your capsules so that you never miss a daily dose. These capsules are designed to promote autophagy, which gives your cells the ability to regenerate and rejuvenate.
