Stay fit with spermidine

With each passing day, we grow older - and our cells with us. Science has always strived to delay the ageing process as long as possible. A new superfood is now delivering promising results. The natural polyamine "spermidine" was able to show a life-prolonging effect in laboratory experiments with threadworms and yeasts. Initial studies have also provided evidence of an improvement in cognitive function and a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. A reduced risk of dementia and an increased memory performance could also be associated with spermidine. Spermidine is an endogenous substance found in all living organisms, but it can also be ingested through food or produced by intestinal bacteria. With increasing age, as well as with a slowing down of the metabolism due to various diseases, the spermidine content in the body decreases, what is supposed to favour the ageing process. This is where a spermidine-rich diet could be used to improve the limitations. But what does science have to say on the subject?

How does spermidine work?

As part of the ongoing process of cell ageing, the human body has to break down damaged cell components every day in order to reuse these components if necessary. This recycling process of the body's own cell cleansing is also called autophagy. This process helps to keep our cells young and to ward off pathogens. As spermidine concentration decreases with age, this also impairs the autophagy process, which promotes ageing processes and the risk of infections. Increased intake of spermidine - so the idea - should keep the cell's own cleansing system going and thus delay cell ageing. Indeed, such effects could be observed in mouse studies: The aforementioned cardio-protective effect seems to be related to a reduced telomere shortening. Since telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes, i.e. our genetic material, from damage and degradation, they play a central role in our ageing process.

So should everyone eat a diet rich in spermidine?

Initial research results indicate that an increased spermidine intake could have a positive effect on health. Thus, a diet with foods that have a high sperimidine concentration, such as wheat germ, cheese, soy products or legumes, can have a positive influence. However, the intake of active substance concentrates must be discouraged at the present time. On the one hand, there are only a few human studies available so far that confirm the effectiveness in humans - because results from animal experiments cannot be directly transferred from animals to humans. Secondly, the bioavailability of externally supplied spermidine has not yet been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, no reliable statements can yet be made about the actual absorption of spermidine into our bodies. Until conclusive study results are available, the advice is, as always, that a balanced, varied diet - if necessary in consultation with a nutrition expert - and regular exercise should be the preferred strategy for healthy ageing.

The topic "Personalised Nutrition" concerns everyone! Take the chance to engage intensively with this multifaceted topic, get inspired and network at the third NEWTRITION X. Innovation Summit on Personalised Nutrition. On October 12, 2021 live in Cologne and as a livestream. Learn more at www.newtritionx.com.

Click here to access the German version.