Is Spermidine Just for Women? Spermidine Benefits for Men

Q: What is spermidine?

Spermidine is a powerful polyamine that promotes autophagy , the body’s cellular “clean-up” process, and inhibits 9 of the 12 scientifically identified root causes of aging, known as the “Hallmarks of Aging.” While two-thirds of the body’s spermidine is produced by the gut and body tissues, the remaining third comes from food. As we age, natural spermidine production declines, so maintaining youthful levels requires external sources, either from spermidine-rich foods or supplements like Primeadine.

May 8, 2025

By Georgia Pilling

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Primeadine Benefits for Men | Oxford Healthspan

Spermidine is rapidly gaining attention as a powerful longevity compound — and for good reason. One of the most common FAQs we're asked is if it's just for women, so we thought we'd devote a whole blog post to this topic. While it’s often spotlighted for its benefits to hair, skin, and nails (guilty as charged!), its value extends far beyond beauty — and far beyond just women. From age 35 onward, spermidine levels naturally decline in everyone, including men, leading to slower cellular renewal and diminished vitality. It’s time to shed the misconception: spermidine supports whole-body health across all genders.

What is Spermidine? A Quick Overview

Spermidine is a naturally-occurring polyamine found in all human cells. It plays a crucial role in various cellular processes, particularly in promoting autophagy - the body's cellular cleaning and recycling mechanism. As we age, our natural spermidine levels decline, which is why supplementation can be beneficial for longevity and overall health.

Spermidine's Key Benefits for Men's Health

Hallmarks of Aging

Out of the 12 recognized hallmarks of aging, spermidine has been shown to inhibit or positively influence 9 of them [1]. Spermidine's effects on these hallmarks of aging are not gender-specific, both men and women can benefit from its potential to support healthy aging. By addressing multiple aspects of the aging process at a cellular level, Primeadine works to improve overall vitality, cognitive function, and physical well-being in the later years of life. For those interested in maintaining peak health as they age, Primeadine's spermidine content can be a valuable addition to a comprehensive health strategy.

Brain Health and Cognitive Function

Research suggests that spermidine may have significant neuroprotective effects, boosting your brain health long term. For instance, a recent study found a compelling link between higher dietary spermidine intake and reduced risk for cognitive impairment in humans, highlighting its potential as a cognitive enhancer [2]. For men, who statistically face a higher risk of certain neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease (they are 1.5 times more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than women), spermidine's neuroprotective properties are especially relevant [3]. Studies have shown that spermidine can help maintain dopaminergic neuron function in the mitochondria, which is crucial for preventing Parkinson's disease progression.

Additionally, spermidine has been found to induce autophagy in brain cells, a process that clears out cellular debris and damaged proteins [4]. This "cellular cleaning" mechanism is critical for maintaining healthy brain function and may help stave off age-related cognitive decline. As men age, this autophagy-inducing effect could be instrumental in preserving cognitive abilities and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Research has also indicated that spermidine supplementation can improve memory performance in older adults. In a small clinical trial, participants who received spermidine showed moderate enhancement in memory performance compared to those who received a placebo [5]. This finding is particularly relevant for men in their middle and later years who may be experiencing early signs of cognitive changes.

Heart Health

Considering your heart health is of great importance with aging, especially as cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality in men. Spermidine has shown great cardiovascular benefits, with research showing that higher levels of spermidine in the blood are linked to better survival rates after heart attacks [6]. Spermidine helps support healthy blood pressure and improves overall heart function by preventing conditions like cardiac hypertrophy (increases in the size and thickness of the heart muscle), which can lead to heart failure. It also enhances the heart's ability to relax and fill with blood, crucial for maintaining good cardiovascular health [7]. Furthermore, it can promote healthier arteries by reducing stiffness and preventing the buildup of harmful plaques, which can lead to serious conditions like coronary artery disease. Many of these benefits are thought to be achieved through enhancing cellular energy production in heart cells.

Muscle Maintenance and Physical Performance

Spermidine offers exciting benefits for muscle maintenance and physical performance. As we get older, muscle mass naturally declines, leading to decreased strength and mobility. However, spermidine can act like a natural "muscle booster" by activating and regenerating muscle stem cells, which are crucial for repairing and building new muscle tissue [8]. How does it do this? Spermidine supports mitochondrial function in muscle cells—these tiny but mighty mitochondria produce the energy muscles need to perform well. Improved mitochondrial function helps combat age-related muscle fatigue and weakness and, in the long term, targets mitochondrial dysfunction (one of the 12 hallmarks of aging) [9]. It also supports muscle recovery after exercise, potentially reducing soreness and allowing you to bounce back faster from workouts [10]. By promoting muscle regeneration and supporting cardiovascular and cognitive health, spermidine helps to maintain strength, balance, and overall physical capabilities with age.

Sleep Quality and Recovery

As we age, we all may experience changes in sleep patterns, including difficulty falling asleep and achieving restorative deep sleep. Research suggests that spermidine may help improve sleep by supporting the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, working to regulate sleep patterns, enhance circadian function, and even provide a circadian reset [11].

Hair, Skin, and Nail Health

Spermidine offers exciting potential for hair, skin, and nail health. While these benefits are often marketed towards women, they're equally as valuable for men. Spermidine has been shown to stimulate human hair growth by extending the active growth phase of hair follicles [12] (check out our blog post on spermidine and hair growth). This means it could help men maintain thicker, healthier hair for longer. If you're noticing thinning hair or a receding hairline, it might help slow down that process and promote new growth.

Spermidine has also been shown to improve skin hydration and elasticity, which means your skin could look and feel healthier, with fewer wrinkles and a more youthful appearance [13]. This is great news for guys who want to maintain a fresh, energetic look without resorting to complicated skincare routines. Nail health is often overlooked in men's grooming, but strong, healthy nails are a sign of overall well-being. Spermidine's role in cellular renewal and growth could help strengthen brittle nails and promote faster, healthier nail growth.

Fertility and Reproductive Health

Unlike women, men don't experience a complete cessation of fertility with age, but they do still face a gradual decline in reproductive function. This process, known as male reproductive aging, typically begins around age 35-40 and accelerates after 50. It's characterized by decreased testosterone levels, reduced sperm production, and diminished sperm quality [14]. Specifically, aging men often experience lower sperm motility, decreased normal morphology, and increased DNA fragmentation in sperm cells. However, research on spermidine supplementation offers promising results for combating these age-related fertility issues. Studies have shown that spermidine can significantly improve sperm motility, which is crucial for successful fertilization [15]. Furthermore, spermidine has been shown to support the expression of genes related to spermatogenesis and improve the acrosomal reaction timing in sperm cells (the process that allows sperm to release enzymes needed to penetrate and fertilize an egg) [16]. These findings suggest that spermidine supplementation could be a valuable strategy for men to maintain their fertility as they age, potentially counteracting some of the natural declines in sperm quality and testicular function. You can read about this in more detail at our spermidine and fertility blog post here.

To conclude, spermidine is by no means just for women; it offers significant healthy aging benefits for men, targeting health from the inside out.

Why Choose Primeadine® Spermidine?

Unlike many spermidine supplements on the market, Primeadine® stands apart with its wholly food-derived formulation, sourced and manufactured in Japan to the highest safety and purity standards. While others use synthetic spermidine or unstandardized extracts, Primeadine® delivers a clinically proven 1mg dose, rich in natural polyamines like spermine and putrescine for a full-spectrum effect.

It’s also the only spermidine supplement with a prebiotic to nourish your gut’s own spermidine-producing bacteria — supporting your body’s production long after you take it.

With rigorous third-party testing, no fillers or additives, and endorsements from leading scientists, wellness experts, and health-conscious communities, Primeadine® is the gold standard in spermidine supplementation.

References:

[1] Madeo F, Bauer MA, Carmona-Gutierrez D, Kroemer G. Spermidine: a physiological autophagy inducer acting as an anti-aging vitamin in humans? Autophagy. 2019 Jan;15(1):165-168. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2018.1530929. Epub 2018 Oct 11. PMID: 30306826; PMCID: PMC6287690

[2] Schroeder S, Hofer SJ et al. Dietary spermidine improves cognitive function. Cell Rep. 2021 Apr 13;35(2):108985. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108985. PMID: 33852843

[3] Wooten GF, Currie LJ, Bovbjerg VE, Lee JK, Patrie J. Are men at greater risk for Parkinson's disease than women? J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2004 Apr;75(4):637-9. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2003.020982. PMID: 15026515; PMCID: PMC1739032

[4] Ni YQ, Liu YS. New Insights into the Roles and Mechanisms of Spermidine in Aging and Age-Related Diseases. Aging Dis. 2021 Dec 1;12(8):1948-1963. doi: 10.14336/AD.2021.0603. PMID: 34881079; PMCID: PMC8612618

[5] Wirth M, Benson G, Schwarz C, Köbe T, Grittner U, Schmitz D, Sigrist SJ, Bohlken J, Stekovic S, Madeo F, Flöel A. The effect of spermidine on memory performance in older adults at risk for dementia: A randomized controlled trial. Cortex. 2018 Dec;109:181-188. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2018.09.014. Epub 2018 Oct 4. PMID: 30388439

[6] Chen Y, Guo Z, Li S, Liu Z, Chen P. Spermidine Affects Cardiac Function in Heart Failure Mice by Influencing the Gut Microbiota and Cardiac Galectin-3. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021 Dec 2;8:765591. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.765591. PMID: 34926616; PMCID: PMC8674475

[7] Eisenberg T, Abdellatif M, Schroeder S, et al. Cardioprotection and lifespan extension by the natural polyamine spermidine. Nat Med. 2016 Dec;22(12):1428-1438. doi: 10.1038/nm.4222. Epub 2016 Nov 14. PMID: 27841876; PMCID: PMC5806691

[8] Galasso L, Cappella A, Mulè A, Castelli L, Ciorciari A, Stacchiotti A, Montaruli A. Polyamines and Physical Activity in Musculoskeletal Diseases: A Potential Therapeutic Challenge. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023; 24(12):9798. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24129798

[9] Li Y, Berliocchi L, Li Z, Rasmussen LJ. Interactions between mitochondrial dysfunction and other hallmarks of aging: Paving a path toward interventions that promote healthy old age. Aging Cell. 2024 Jan;23(1):e13942. doi: 10.1111/acel.13942. Epub 2023 Jul 27. PMID: 37497653; PMCID: PMC10776122

[10] Fan J, Yang X, Li J, Shu Z, Dai J, Liu X, Li B, Jia S, Kou X, Yang Y, Chen N. Spermidine coupled with exercise rescues skeletal muscle atrophy from D-gal-induced aging rats through enhanced autophagy and reduced apoptosis via AMPK-FOXO3a signal pathway. Oncotarget. 2017 Mar 14;8(11):17475-17490. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.15728. PMID: 28407698; PMCID: PMC5392263

[11] Dan YANG, Hideaki OIKE, Mitsuhiro FURUSE, Shinobu YASUO, Spermidine resets circadian clock phase in NIH3T3 cells, Biomedical Research, 2021, Volume 42, Issue 5, Pages 221-227, Released on J-STAGE September 21, 2021, Online ISSN 1880-313X, Print ISSN 0388-6107, https://doi.org/10.2220/biomedres.42.221, https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/biomedres/42/5/42_221/_article/-char/en

[12] Rinaldi F, Marzani B, Pinto D, Ramot Y. A spermidine-based nutritional supplement prolongs the anagen phase of hair follicles in humans: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2017 Oct 31;7(4):17-21. doi: 10.5826/dpc.0704a05. PMID: 29214104; PMCID: PMC5718121

[13] Ito D, Ito H, Ideta T, Kanbe A, Ninomiya S, Shimizu M. Systemic and topical administration of spermidine accelerates skin wound healing. Cell Commun Signal. 2021 Mar 22;19(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s12964-021-00717-y. PMID: 33752688; PMCID: PMC7986284

[14] Leslie SW, Soon-Sutton TL, Khan MAB. Male Infertility. [Updated 2024 Feb 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562258/

[15] Walke G, Gaurkar SS, Prasad R, Lohakare T, Wanjari M. The Impact of Oxidative Stress on Male Reproductive Function: Exploring the Role of Antioxidant Supplementation. Cureus. 2023 Jul 27;15(7):e42583. doi: 10.7759/cureus.42583. PMID: 37641770; PMCID: PMC10460465

[16] Wang JY, Ma D, Luo M, Tan YP, Ou Zhong, Tian G, Lv YT, Li MX, Chen X, Tang ZH, Hu LL, Lei XC. Effect of spermidine on ameliorating spermatogenic disorders in diabetic mice via regulating glycolysis pathway. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2022 Mar 7;20(1):45. doi: 10.1186/s12958-022-00890-w. PMID: 35255928; PMCID: PMC8900360

Georgia Pilling, BSc, Physiological Sciences (Newcastle University); MRes, Neuroscience (Newcastle University)

Georgia Pilling is a researcher interested in enhancing human longevity through optimizing physiological health and cognitive function. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Physiological Sciences (BSc) and a Master of Research in Neuroscience (MRes) from Newcastle University. Her particular area of intrigue is cognitive neuroscience, passionate about sharing practical strategies for improving brain function and overall mental well-being. In her free time, Georgia enjoys yoga, running, and experimenting with cooking.

FAQs

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What is spermidine?

Spermidine is a powerful polyamine that promotes autophagy, the body’s cellular “clean-up” process, and inhibits 9 of the 12 scientifically identified root causes of aging, known as the “Hallmarks of Aging.” While two-thirds of the body’s spermidine is produced by the gut and body tissues, the remaining third comes from food. As we age, natural spermidine production declines, so maintaining youthful levels requires external sources, either from spermidine-rich foods or supplements like Primeadine.

What are the benefits of spermidine?

Studies link higher levels of spermidine with longevity. Human trials show that food-derived spermidine supports cognition, heart health, hormonal balance, hair growth, collagen production, and nail strength, with potential benefits for fertility and circadian rhythm. These effects stem from spermidine's ability to trigger autophagy—the body's cell renewal process—and inhibit nine of the twelve "Hallmarks of Aging," including inflammation, stem cell and mitochondrial dysfunction, and gut imbalance. Clients also report deeper sleep, increased energy, gray hair reversal, improved skin, and better gut health. Read this blog post to learn more.

What's the difference between food-derived and synthetic spermidine?

The key differences between food-derived and synthetic spermidine lie in their absorption, bioavailability, and overall effectiveness:

Bioavailability & Absorption

Food-derived spermidine comes with beneficial, naturally co-occurring polyamines, called spermine and putrescine, that are involved in the Polyamine Salvage Pathway - a virtuous recycling loop that helps your body make more spermidine. These additional polyamines also have unique benefits their own and play a role in many of the proven benefits of spermidine.
Synthetic spermidine is isolated and lacks these natural co-factors, reducing bioavailability.

Handedness

Humans have co-evolved with plants, and our bodies recognize the natural, 3-dimensional molecules from plants.
Synthetic spermidine is a flat, 2-dimensional chemical mimic, but molecules are 3-dimensional. While our bodies can identify some parts of synthetic versions, they aren't the same—like trying to fit a right hand into a left-handed glove.

Food Matrix Effect

In whole foods, spermidine interacts with other nutrients in a way that enhances its stability and uptake.
Synthetic versions do not have this advantage.

Gut Microbiome Interaction

Certain gut bacteria help metabolize spermidine from food sources, improving its utilization.
Synthetic spermidine does not engage gut bacteria in the same way, leading to less efficient absorption.

Purity & Safety

Food-derived spermidine is naturally sourced, making it a cleaner and safer option. It is the only kind to be tested for safety and efficacy in humans.
Synthetic spermidine has not been tested for safety and efficacy in humans, so we don’t know if it’s safe to take long-term. It is used by companies that don’t value quality and safety, so it typically comes with additional fillers, additives and other unhealthy ingredients.

Efficacy & Longevity Benefits

Because of its natural composition and bioavailability, food-derived spermidine is considered more effective in promoting autophagy and supporting longevity.

If a spermidine supplement claims to be food-derived but is cheap and offers a high dose, don't be fooled!

We've tested other spermidine products labeled as 'wheat germ with spermidine' and found that they often mix a small amount of wheat germ with large quantities of synthetic spermidine. These low-cost, high-dose options offer no guarantee of safety or effectiveness.

What makes Primeadine superior to other spermidine supplements?

While we can’t speak directly about the formulation of other spermidine products, here are some of the main differentiators of Primeadine®/Oxford Healthspan.

We source our raw materials from Japan, which is known for its Nobel Prize-winning scientific leadership on autophagy, or cell renewal. Japan has the most rigorous quality control and testing policies in the world, meaning our ingredients have the most advanced extraction process and meet the incredibly high standards of the Japan Health Food and Nutrition Food Association. They are tested for heavy metals, mold, fungi, and bacteria at the Japan Food Research Lab (JFRL), a third party independent testing lab.
Every single batch is tested for its amount of food-derived spermidine so we ensure it contains the minimum effective dose of 1mg stated on our labels.
Primeadine® is manufactured in Japan in an FDA-registered and -inspected facility with ISO22000 standards, the highest in food quality control. It is then encapsulated in an FDA cGMP facility in the USA and undergoes purity testing there as well at Eurofins or Delta.
Our capsules and tablets do not contain any synthetic ingredients, whereas other supplements typically contain magnesium stearate (of which circa 80% has hydrogenated fats in it; the supplement industry is not legally required to get rid of hydrogenated oils the way the processed food industry has been mandated by law to), shellac, talc and glycerin. Our products are all suitable for vegans. Learn more about our sourcing, quality, and testing standards.
The Primeadine® Original formulation includes a special type of prebiotic fiber, called FOS (fructooligosaccharide), that selectively feeds the friendly, spermidine-producing bacteria in the gut microbiome. The idea is to increase both supplemental, or 'exogenous' spermidine, as well as encourage your own body's natural ability to produce spermidine in your gut microbiome.
Primeadine® GF comes from a sub-strain of chlorella singled out from over 100 others because it alone contains a high level of spermidine and also contains putrescine, the precursor polyamine to both spermine and spermidine. Our chlorella is grown in the nutrient-abundant longevity islands of Okinawa, Japan, and exposed to sunlight to increase the chlorophyll and other nutrient content, such as vitamins D and K, which together help drive calcium to the bones. We combine the chlorella with two other anti-inflammatories and autophagy inducers, Okinawan turmeric and nobiletin (from Okinawan "Shikuwasa" citrus lime peel).
We do not use liposomes in Primeadine® because this is unnecessary for absorption and would prevent the benefits that happen when spermidine is exposed directly to the gut lining. There is no evidence that spermidine cannot be taken up by the cells on its own. Similar to amino acids, polyamines do not need a liposome to cross into the cell or to be taken up with epithelial cells. The process of creating a liposomal version also creates unnecessary expense.
We do not synthetically enrich our product with synthetic spermidine. Be wary of labels that say "wheat germ with spermidine" as this indicates that the wheat germ has been soaked in synthetic spermidine, thereby increasing the overall amount of spermidine but meaning it is no longer a natural source.
We do not use doses beyond what the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has mandated as safe for human consumption, which is 6mg daily. Please note that this is related to food-derived spermidine. Synthetic spermidine and synthetically enriched spermidine have never been tested in humans for safety or efficacy and are being sold without regulatory oversight.
We work closely with our scientific and clinical advisers at the University of Oxford and abroad, all of whom take our product and share it with their loved ones. Learn more about our scientific advisory board here.
We are also the only non-Japanese member of the Japan Autophagy Consortium, whose Senior Adviser is the 2016 Nobel Prize Winner in Medicine or Physiology, Prof Yoshimori Ohsumi, and whose Director is Prof Tamotsu Yoshimori, Osaka University. Prof Yoshimori conducted all of the mammalian research in autophagy that helped underpin Prof Ohsumi's work in yeast cells. Find out more about our story here.

What is the best spermidine dose to take?

The US FDA has not set a safe upper limit for food-derived spermidine, but the European Food Safety Authority considers up to 6 mg safe. Most studies use a daily dose of 1 mg of natural spermidine, along with spermine and putrescine, which are absent in synthetic versions. Synthetic spermidine has not been tested for human safety or efficacy.

Why is your spermidine supplement more expensive compared to other products I see on the internet?

We prioritize the highest quality, avoiding common additives like industrial seed oils, magnesium stearate, and talc often used in supplements. Unlike cheap synthetic spermidine often "cut" into products, we use food-derived spermidine sourced and manufactured in Japan under strict regulatory standards. Our products undergo rigorous third-party testing to ensure purity and effectiveness. This commitment to quality, like choosing the best ingredients for a child’s birthday cake, is our guiding philosophy.

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