What Is Spermidine?
The body contains unique combinations of cells and organs that work together 24/7. Spermidine itself is a unique makeup of molecules known as polyamines. These molecules help with cellular growth, metabolic functions, and even gut health. Its natural occurrence in the body works alongside another polyamine, putrescine. Together they work to rid the body of waste and other toxins. This elimination process is called autophagy.
Spermidine is primarily found in all living tissues of plants and animals. Our bodies naturally produce spermidine to aid in cellular health and maintenance. Our natural production of spermidine however declines with age.
What Is Spermidine Used For?
Spermidine plays a vital role in our cellular health. One of spermidine's biggest and most profound functions, from which other functions stem from, is the ability to counteract aging and promote autophagy.
Our bodies are made up of cells. As we age, our cells age as well. When these cells become old or damaged, it can cause build up of dead or toxic organelle matter in our bodies, potentially leading to age-related disease and injury. Spermidine in our cells optimizes autophagy and cellular renewal. Some of the processes spermidine helps regulate are:
- DNA stability
- Cellular growth
- Cellular differentiation
- Apoptosis (Cellular death as a normal part of growth and development in organisms)
What Benefits Does Spermidine Have?
Now that we’ve looked at what spermidine is and what it’s used for, let's talk about the numerous benefits of taking this supplement.
- Reduces Inflammation - spermidine helps reduce inflammatory markers throughout the body. Reduction in inflammation contributes to healthier immune systems, aids in neurodegeneration and increases heart function
- Reduces Age-related complications - By rebuilding cells and balancing metabolic functions spermidine helps lower the risk of age-related illnesses and diseases.
- Improves Cardiovascular Health - spermidine reduces inflammation and other stressors that trigger heart problems. Spermidine supports cellular respiration, which leads to increased mitochondrial content in heart cells. Spermidine acts through autophagy to prevent age-associated cardiovascular diseases.
- Cognitive function - spermidine reduces inflammation factors, increases the formation of memory cells, and triggers the preventive removal of toxic protein aggregates in cells, which may be responsible for neurodegeneration, the cause of dementia and diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Is Spermidine Used For Weight Loss?
Many supplements on the market today include minerals that aid in weight loss. Obesity can cause multiple health problems such as impaired cognitive function, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Extra body weight also prevents the microbiota in the gut from filtering out toxins, which contributes to these issues.
While research shows that spermidine can help with metabolic functions, it’s not specifically used in targeting weight loss. Adding spermidine to your supplement provides several benefits and those benefits may result in weight loss.
Can Spermidine Delay Aging?
The body is an amazing powerhouse of muscles, neurons, organs, and tissues that work in conjunction with one another. Our cellular health partly dictates how well these systems function. Research has shown that polyamine molecules play several roles in the body, including metabolic regulation. Since spermidine is a natural polyamine molecule, it also boosts the body’s ability to regulate metabolism and the aging process.
Studies have shown that spermidine consumption can increase heart health and lower cancer risk. In a way, spermidine may delay aging by preventing various forms of illness and diseases, helping to increase longevity. A 20-year, epidemiological study in humans has shown that higher consumption of spermidine-rich foods correlates with reduced mortality and a life expectancy prolonged by 5 years.
Is Spermidine Beneficial To Brain Function?
The foods we eat and supplements we take have a huge impact on every part of our bodies, including brain function. Certain vitamins and minerals have powerful benefits for the brain, such as Vitamin B, C, E, magnesium, and beta-carotene. Rich food and minerals like omega-3’s and antioxidants help optimize brain function and prolong the onset of dementia.
Spermidine has powerful anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular properties, which can protect brain function by reducing overall toxins. Recent studies on spermidine and its effect on brain health have found that spermidine supplementation led to increased hippocampal volume, an area largely associated with learning and memory. Furthermore, there was also a positive association found between spermidine intake and cortical thickness in the temporal and parietal regions, as well as brain regions thought to be high-risk areas for Alzheimer's disease. Increased spermidine levels also help maintain healthy autophagy levels in the brain which leads to improved plasticity and prevents demyelination of axons within the brain.
What Are The Effects Of Spermidine On Dementia?
Many studies show that spermidine slows down the aging process, improves brain function, and may even reduce memory loss in cases like dementia. As people age, dementia becomes a more serious concern. This disease impairs cognitive ability as the brain’s neuron functions start decreasing. The severity of the disease depends on the person.
There are positive effects of spermidine on dementia. As we noticed with the above research studies, spermidine can improve the autophagy process, which helps dissolve plaque and other harmful toxins. In a memory test case study, elderly individuals who took spermidine supplements had improved memory function compared to the elderly individuals who did not take it.
Should I Take A Spermidine Supplement?
Spermidine is a powerful polyamine in the body that regulates metabolism and has a wide range of benefits. While you certainly can get the recommended amount of spermidine through your diet, the amount of spermidine content varies widely between foods. In addition, your natural spermidine levels decline with age, making it more and more important to supplement spermidine through your diet. Like most supplements, spermidine supplements help you reach your daily intake of spermidine by ensuring a standard amount of spermidine daily.
