Spermidine is a biogenic amine in chemistry. The micronutrient is a beacon of hope for longevity research. For us, spermidine can be a way to healthy future into your own handsOf all the things that spermidine can be, one thing is not new. Quite the opposite. As early as 1870, Philipp Schreiner isolated the base spermine from male semen. This is where the molecule's somewhat bizarre name comes from. Even though we now know that spermidine occurs completely naturally in every cell and in every organism, the original name has stuck.
occurrence of spermidine
Our body can produce spermidine itself in moderation. When the metabolism speeds up (e.g. when exercising), the production of spermidine in the body is boosted. Conversely, when the metabolism slows down, the concentration decreases. However, the amount produced by the body is not enough to cover the need. The cells are dependent on the food supply. Spermidine is found primarily in whole grains or wheat germ, soybeans (about 200 mg/kg) or legumes. Mushrooms and mature cheese are also rich in the molecule. For comparison: the spermidine content in the eponymous human ejaculate is on average 31 mg/L.
The good news for all those who suspect something bad: spermidine-containing food supplements are not from human or animal sperm, but from wheat germ or soy products. In contrast to wheat germ, soy-based spermidine is also gluten-free.
What does spermidine do?
The effect attributed to the body's own substance is not only useful, but has even been Nobel Prize-winning for several years. In 2016, Japanese professor Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for basic research on autophagy.
What does this term, which has its origins in ancient Greece, mean?
Autophagy – the cell's own garbage disposal
When cells break down their own components, this is called autophagy or autophagocytosis. In everyday language, we like to talk about self-digestion. This should not be confused with phagocytosis, where substances from outside are taken into the cell (“eaten”) and digested.
Self-digestion is particularly important because cell metabolism constantly produces byproducts that are superfluous or damaged. With the process of autophagy, these can now either be disposed of or, even better, reused. However, not only metabolic products are autophaged, but also entire cell organelles - for example the mitochondriaBe it damage, aging, or even planned loss - sooner or later our cell power plants start to falter. To ensure that this does not have a negative impact on the performance of the entire cell, the mitochondrion is simply digested within the cell. The fact that new power plants are formed from the individual parts is all the more beneficial. Basically, autophagy is the cell's own garbage disposal and recycling station in one.
According to Prof. Ohsumi, the process is always stimulated when the conditions for our cells are unfavorable.If there is a lack of nitrogen or food, for example, this is a starting signal for the autophagy machinery. But even the best system runs out of steam at some point. As we age, both the spermidine concentration and the activity of our self-cleaning program decrease.
Studies have shown that such dysfunctions can lead to metabolic diseases, infections or even neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's). The latter cause disease-related protein deposits in cells. This underlines once again how important it is to maintain this ability.
Fasting is beneficial
In addition to spermidine, Fast 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 food is reused. In addition, 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 our cleaning in everyday life.
The benefits of fasting range from positive effects on cardiovascular diseases to increased performance. In this case, less is actually more. Unfortunately, this does not apply to cleaning the house.
Summary
Finally, we want to hit the nail on the head again. The theories surrounding spermidine can be summed up as follows: The molecule is supposed to suggest a fasting state to our body and thus make the benefits of fasting, i.e. increased autophagy, usable without actually abstaining from food. spermidine-rich diet has been associated with longer life expectancy in studies.
