Holistic health is one of the most promising avenues to explore in order to create a more enriching life and to be the best versions of yourself that you can be. The addition of supplements in your daily life can be a huge step in the right direction for that. Spermidine is a supplement that can be extremely beneficial for people as they age.
Polyamines, such as spermidine, have several primary amino groups. It can be found in living tissues and ribosomes, and it plays a vital role in the survival and function of cells.
In 1678, Anton Van Leeuwenhoek, a scientist from the Netherlands, discovered spermidine in a human semen sample. It is produced in the body through the putrescine, and is the precursor of another substance called spermine, which plays a vital role in cellular functions.
Recently, Dr. Emil has launched his very own anti-aging line, and spermidine is one of the many supplements he has formulated. Since the spermidine levels in our bodies naturally decrease as we age, a supplement can replenish some of those levels, which could lead to cell regeneration and renewal.
Research suggests that spermidine can have a number of benefits for our health, which can impact our aging and lead to longevity. In this article, we will be covering some in depth information related to spermidine that includes:
- Science behind spermidine
- Benefits of spermidine
- Potential side effects of spermidine
Science Behind Spermidine
What the Research Says About The Anti-Aging Benefits
Instead of just a supplement that can help maintain a healthy aging, longevity supplements like Spermidine have active ingredients that can help control how our bodies age as well.
As people get older, their cellular and molecular damage accumulates, which can lead to various signs of aging. Prolonged exposure to longevity supplements can help manage the pathways involved in aging.
One of the most important pathways that can help manage the effects of aging is through the development of cellular rejuvenation, which is triggered by the TOR kinase pathway. This process can be triggered by various factors such as stress and fasting.
Spermidine can also trigger a process known as autophagy, which involves the reuse of damaged or old organelles in order to achieve cellular renewal. It is believed that this process could even help limit the damage caused by aging and other conditions.
Foods with Spermidine
There Are Tons of Ways to Incorporate it Into Your Diet
In the quest for optimal health and longevity, it's essential to pay attention to our dietary choices. Healthy food choices can fuel your body with all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients it needs – which is why when you want to increase your intake of a nutrient like spermidine, the first place you should look is your plate.
Setting yourself up for a healthier and more vibrant future can be as simple as incorporating some nutritious fruits and veggies into your weekly meals. Not only are these spermidine-rich foods a good way to give your longevity a boost, but many of them are also packed with other powerful compounds that help every body feel its best.
Remember: A diverse diet is the cornerstone of overall well-being, no matter what your age or stage in life!
So consider adding some of these delicious and nutritious foods to your diet to increase your spermidine intake:
- Grapefruit
- Corn
- Peas
- Peppers
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Mature cheeses
- Wheat germ
- Hazelnuts
- Mangoes
- Beef
- Chicken liver
- Mushrooms
- Soy beans (tempeh, tofu, miso, etc)
- Legumes
- Almonds
- Chestnuts
- Pistachios
- Spinach
- Potatoes
- Avocado
- Cherries
- Kiwi
- Pineapple
Unfortunately, some people may not be able to reap all of the benefits of spermidine by including it in their diet alone.
It’s always important to try to get your vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from food sources before choosing a supplement. But since not everyone is able to do so, supplements can be a huge help for people looking to round out their nutrient intakes and keep their levels of key nutrients consistent.
Spermidine Supplements + Increasing Spermidine Levels
As we age our bodies accumulate damage, which increases our risk for disease. Sure, that old soccer injury flaring up and increasing joint pain are common complaints as we get older, but our bodies also take damage on a cellular level that can leave us looking and feeling older than we would like to.
But beyond our cells working harder to pump blood and replenish muscles, our natural levels of spermidine also begin to decline.
Luckily for those of us who aren’t quite ready to start slowing down, this process can be prevented or slowed by taking supplements that contain high levels of the nutrient. Although it's generally beneficial to eat a varied diet that's rich in whole food, taking supplements for longevity is the best way to reduce the effects of aging on our bodies.
Even though the Food and Drug Administration may not monitor longevity supplements, they usually contain ingredients that are already found in the body and food. This ensures that they have low toxicity, which means you generally don’t have to worry about whether they’ll have a negative impact on your health.
The most common type of spermidine supplements are those that are extracted from wheat germ. Wheat germ oil is one of the few antioxidants that’s truly effective in promoting anti aging effects in humans, preventing the production of oxidized lipids, inhibiting free radicals, protecting against inflammation, lowering cholesterol, and even treating some circulatory and cardiac disorders and weaknesses. On top of the benefits of wheat germ oil, wheat germ protein contains the essential amino acids your body needs to thrive.
But nowadays there are so many anti aging supplements on the market that claim to have miraculous benefits, it can be hard to sort out which ones really work.
Despite being widely available at wellness stores and online marketplaces like Amazon, it’s important to avoid non-food-based versions of spermidine supplements. These might contain ingredients that are not approved for use, which means they could actually do more harm than good.
Beyond that, some of these non-food-based supplements contain spermidine HCl, which still hasn’t been proven to be safe or effective.
If you ever have questions about a supplement – whether its a longevity support nutrient like spermidine or something else – be sure to consult with your doctor to make sure it will be a safe, effective addition to your wellness routine before you start taking it.
Dr. Emil’s Spermidine Supplement
A Guide to the Ingredients + Benefits of a Spermidine Supplement
Dr. Emil’s anti-aging line brings the high quality you expect from Dr. Emil’s experts formulate supplements to address your longevity concerns. With his deep knowledge of exercise and nutrition, Dr. Emil’s formula is sure to get you on a path to healthy aging and increased longevity!
Derived from wheat germ, Dr. Emil’s Spermidine supplement is designed to assist in cell regeneration. Translation? Looking and feeling healthier as you age.
Health Benefits
For people who want to extend their lifespan, regular exercise and a balanced diet can help them achieve it. Supplements that contain spermidine can help lower the risk of various age-related illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, and neurodegeneration.
In addition to improving memory and cognition, spermidine can also protect neurons from damage caused by oxidative stress, inflammation, and ischemia. One of the ways that this can occur is through autophagy, which is a process that involves breaking down amyloid-beta proteins. These are believed to be linked to Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. A study revealed that older individuals with dementia had a reduction in their memory loss after taking spermidine. It is also known that spermidine can benefit the respiratory system, and increase metabolism.
Longevity Benefits
Spermidine might be able to imitate the effects of certain life-enhancing interventions, such as calorie restriction, which can promote cellular renewal.
It can also help protect DNA from damage caused by the effects of oxidative stress. Studies have shown that spermidine can stabilize the DNA in the mitochondria, which helps prevent aging. It can also protect the end caps of chromosomes from getting damaged, which can affect one's longevity.
The effects of aging, such as telomere shortening and genomic instability, are known to be some of the changes that can happen in organisms as they grow older. According to studies, spermidine can limit these effects.
Spermidine works to primarily reduce the physical aspects of aging. One of the earliest signs of aging are the appearance of deep wrinkles and fine lines. The fear of looking older in people has led to the development of these anti-aging products like spermidine.
Improvement in Reproductive Fertility with Women
The use of spermidine can improve the reproductive fertility of both men and women. Due to the rising cost of living and professional pressures, many people are postponing having children. This can lead to various problems later on.
When women reach the age of 45, menopause can occur. The ovaries can also age five times faster than other organs.
There are various methods for improving one's reproductive health, but spermidine is one of the most promising options. Over time, the development of reactive oxygen species can damage the eggs and lead to cellular senescence, which can cause menopause.
When ROS causes the development of abnormal stem cells in the ovaries, it can limit one's chances of having children. A study hypothesized that treating these cells with spermidine could help decrease the damage caused by oxidative stress. The results of the study revealed that the treatment improved both the stem cell production and autophagy.
Fertility + Men
The finding just mentioned supports the use of spermidine in fertility therapies for women. Men on the other hand don't experience the same decline in fertility as women. In fact, spermidine may actually be important in the production of sperm. Male fertility is also affected by how much spermidine is in the body.
Sexual reproduction is mainly controlled by hormones, and a study conducted with men revealed that taking a supplement containing spermidine can affect the levels of certain hormones.
For 30 days, the participants took a supplement that contained spermidine. It was able to reduce the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, which can negatively affect fertility. It also decreased the levels of an estrogen known to cause sexual dysfunction in men.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Although it is known that spermidine can support longevity by autophagy, it is also believed that it can help with other aspects of health. Some studies suggest that spermidine can help limit the development of cancer cells and the maintenance of lipid metabolism. This can be beneficial for those who are prone to illness, and people who have autoimmune diseases, such as Fibromyalgia or Lupus.
Although inflammation can help in the healing and repelling of wounds, it is also harmful when it persists, often referred to as inflammaging. This condition can prevent healthy tissues from regenerating, and it can trigger the development of dysfunctional immune cells. Inflammaging can accelerate the aging process by causing cells to become senescent. One way that spermidine can help slow down the progression of aging is by reducing inflammation. This can also give a person more stamina to do every day things that may get more difficult with aging, as well as more general energy overall.
Cancer + Cardiovascular Health
In 2016, a study revealed that spermidine can help reverse the aging process and improve cardiovascular health in older mice. At the organ level, the condition of the heart and its function were significantly improved in the treated animals. The same animals also showed improvements in their metabolism due to the restoration of their mitochondria. Inflammation is the main culprit of cancer in the body, which in turn, symptoms can be improved by reducing inflammation in the body.
Other population-based studies conducted in humans revealed that spermidine consumption can reduce cancer-related and cardiovascular causes of death. Studies have shown that spermidine supplementation has been known to interfere with the tumor cell cycle, and therefore suppressing the growth of tumors.
Thanks to a few different studies, the results regarding spermidine supplementation have shown that there are no major side effects, which is great news for anyone who wants to add spermidine to their wellness regimen.
In particular, a study conducted by Wien Klin Wochenschr found that participants who had taken a 3.3 mg dose of spermidine for over 3 months did not have any major side effects. The second group in the study took a lower dose at 1.9 mg for 3 months, but still did not encounter any issues. The presence of spermidine in various plant sources also helps with safety assurances.
The only major concern when it comes to spermidine is allergic reactions. People with a sensitivity to algae like chlorella or spirulina can experience anything from a mild to a severe reaction to spermidine supplement thanks to their allergy. The good news is, spermidine is well-tolerated in most people. So if you’ve had a blue spirulina smoothie from the fancy juicery down the street and felt just fine, you’re unlikely to experience any adverse side effects from taking spermidine.
When it comes to choosing the appropriate dose for your spermidine supplement, it really comes down to your goals and the type of spermidine supplement you’ll be taking.
If you are taking oral supplements, for example, you should take a higher dose due to the lower level of bioavailable nutrients. However in smaller doses, liposomal supplements can be more effective.
As with any supplement or medication you are taking, it’s important to take side effects seriously. If you notice any, you should consult with your doctor and quit taking it immediately.
Remember that everyone’s body is different and although there are no known side effects, that does not mean your body will react perfectly to it. However, this can also mean that your body just needs adjusting to a new supplement, as with any new routine!
Take the first steps on your journey towards healthy aging when you pick up a spermidine supplement today.
With so many supplements on the market promising to promote “anti-aging” you may be wary when it comes to finding the right kind. Additionally, you may be swayed, like many, to start on the outside when thinking about anti-aging products. However, starting with what you put into your body can make all of the difference. Like Dr. Emil’s own spermidine supplements, it’s important to look for products that are third party tested so make sure you are grabbing it from a quality source. Try spermidine out today and begin the journey to a healthier version of yourself as you age– your future self will thank you!
You should consult a licensed health care professional before starting any supplement, dietary, or exercise program, especially if you are pregnant or have any pre-existing injuries or medical conditions.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
