Spermidine is a biogenic amine for chemistry. For longevity research, this micronutrient is a bearer of hope. For us, Spermidine can be a way to take a healthy future into our own hands. Among all the things that spermidine can be, one thing it is not: new. On the contrary. As early as 1870, Philipp Schreiner isolated the base spermidine from male semen. This is also where the somewhat quirky name of the molecule comes from. Even though it is now known that spermidine occurs completely naturally in every cell and in every organism, the original name has persisted.
What is spermidine?
Occurrence of spermidine
Our body can produce spermidine in moderation. With an acceleration of metabolism (z.B.: during exercise), the production of spermidine in the body is stimulated.Conversely, the concentration decreases with a slowdown in metabolism. However, the amount produced by the body is not sufficient to meet the demand. The cells rely on food intake here. Spermidine is primarily found in whole grains or wheat germ, soybeans (about 200 mg/kg) or legumes. Mushrooms and aged cheese are also rich in the molecule. For comparison: the spermidine content in the eponymous human ejaculate averages 31 mg/L.
The good news for everyone who is now fearing the worst: Spermidine-containing dietary supplements are not produced from human or animal sperm, but from wheat germ or soy products. Spermidine based on soy is, unlike the wheat germ source, also gluten-free.
What does spermidine do?
The effect attributed to this endogenous substance is not only useful but has even been considered Nobel-worthy for several years. In 2016, Japanese Professor Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for fundamental research on autophagy.
What do we understand by this term, which has its origins in ancient Greece?
Autophagy – the cell's own waste disposal
When cells break down their own components, this is called autophagy or autophagocytosis. Colloquially, we like to refer to this as self-digestion. This should not be confused with phagocytosis, where substances from outside are taken up ("eaten") and digested by the cell.
Autophagy is particularly important because, as part of cellular metabolism, various by-products are constantly produced that are unnecessary or damaged. With the process of autophagy, these can either be disposed of or, even better, reused. Not only metabolic products are autophagized, but also entire cell organelles – for example, the mitochondria. Whether due to damage, aging, or planned loss – sooner or later, our cellular power plants start to stutter. To prevent this from negatively affecting the performance of the entire cell, the mitochondrion is simply digested internally. The fact that new power plants are formed from the individual parts is all the more healing. Essentially, autophagy serves as the cell's own waste disposal and recycling station in one.
The process is being studied by Prof.According to Ohsumi, it is stimulated whenever the conditions for our cells are unfavorable. For example, when there is a lack of nitrogen or nutrients, this serves as a starting signal for the autophagy machinery. But even the best system eventually runs out of steam. With aging, both the spermidine concentration and the activity of our self-cleaning program decrease.
Such dysfunctions, according to studies, can lead to metabolic diseases, infections, or even neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's). In the latter, there are disease-relevant deposits of proteins in cells. This once again underscores how important it is to maintain this ability.
Fasting brings it
In addition to spermidine, fasting can also fasting get our recycling system going. The most common rule of thumb here is 16:8 – fast for 16 hours and eat for 8 hours. The principle behind it is as simple as it is logical: if nothing new comes in, old is reused. Furthermore, the body is not constantly busy breaking down new food, but can use the time to clean up. If only we were just as consistent with cleaning in our daily lives.
The benefits of fasting range from positive effects on cardiovascular diseases to increased performance. In this case, less is indeed more. Unfortunately, this does not apply to apartment cleaning.
Summary
In the end, we want to hit the nail on the head once again. The theories surrounding spermidine can be summarized as follows: The molecule is said to suggest a fasting state to our body and thus make the benefits of fasting, such as increased autophagy, usable without actual food deprivation. A spermidine-rich diet has been associated with a longer lifespan in studies.
