The Benefits of Spermidine: A Full Breakdown

Jul 12, 2024

By Leslie Kenny

Skin cell rejuvenation | Oxford Healthspan

Spermidine is revered in the longevity world for its ability to target aging from within by activating cellular renewal, reducing inflammation, promoting gut health, and rejuvenating stem cells and mitochondria. But what are the mechanisms that make spermidine the perfect healthy aging tool?

The Hallmarks of Aging: A Root Cause Approach

Aging is characterized by several key processes that gradually impair our bodily functions. These "Hallmarks of Aging" include gut dysbiosis, chronic inflammation or “inflammaging”, stem cell and mitochondrial dysfunction, and telomere shortening [1]. One of the most critical root causes of aging, since it impacts them all, is impaired autophagy (cellular renewal).

Enhanced Autophagy: The Key Mechanism Behind it All

Autophagy is the body’s vital cellular “clean up” and recycling process. Essential for cellular health, when it slows down the whole body is negatively impacted, exacerbating age-related diseases and leading to the signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, gray hair, a dull complexion, poor gut health, and more.

By stimulating autophagy, spermidine helps to rejuvenate cells, ensuring they function and regenerate properly. This cellular renewal is foundational to overall health, as the vitality of our cells directly influences the functioning of our entire body [2].

What are the Benefits of Spermidine?

Mimics the Benefits of Fasting

Fasting has been shown to provide various health benefits, primarily through the activation of autophagy. However, not everyone finds fasting easy or sustainable, especially women and those with thyroid conditions. Spermidine acts as a calorie restriction mimetic, offering the benefits of fasting without the need to significantly reduce caloric intake. This makes it easier to harness the health-promoting effects of autophagy.

Improves Sleep Quality & Circadian Rhythm

Sleep is a critical component of health, and many individuals experience disruptions in their sleep quality as they age. Spermidine has been found to improve sleep and reduce age-related sleep disturbances by modulating some of the clock genes that regulate the circadian rhythm, which is our internal clock [3].

Users of Primeadine® have reported significant improvements in their Deep Sleep and Restfulness scores, as tracked by wearable sleep devices. Better sleep quality translates to improved overall well-being and cognitive function. Check out our 'Testimonials' page to read.

Additionally, you may see an uptick in your Heart Rate Variability (HRV). HRV is a key indicator of nervous system balance, resilience to stress, and overall health. A higher HRV is associated with better sleep and reduced stress.

Increases Energy & Vitality

In addition to enhancing autophagy, spermidine activates mitophagy – a process that clears out old and poorly functioning mitochondria. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of our cells, providing the energy needed for all cellular activities. When mitochondria are not functioning optimally, it can lead to low energy levels. By promoting the renewal of healthy mitochondria, spermidine helps to restore energy and vitality, leading to a renewed sense of stamina and vigor.

Enhances Hair, Skin & Nails

Spermidine offers visible benefits for hair, skin, and nails.

Promotes Hair Growth

In a human clinical trial, it was proven to promote hair growth by moving hair follicles from the shedding phase to the growth phase and keeping them in this phase longer [4, 5]. This is also when melanogenesis, the production of hair pigment, takes place, which is why some of our clients experience gray hair reversal.

Cell Renewal = Skin & Nail Rejuvenation

Additionally, enhanced cellular renewal as a result of spermidine contributes to strong, healthy nails and bright, glowing skin, helping you look as good as you feel.

Will it get rid of my gray hair?

Primeadine can help move hair follicles into the growth phase, potentially reversing gray hair as this is where melanogenesis takes place. However, gray hair is multifactorial and might require additional support like ensuring adequate thyroid function, vitamin D, iron, and B vitamins. It can also be caused by high stress levels, glutathione depletion, or the presence of an H Pylori infection in the stomach.

While low spermidine might not be the direct cause of your gray hair, you need enough of it in order to turn the hair back to its original color as your hair follicles must be in the growth phase for melanogenesis to occur.

Read our blog post on reversing gray hair naturally here.

Improves Brain Health, Memory & Cognition

Cognitive decline is a common concern with aging, but spermidine offers hope in this area as well. By stimulating autophagy, spermidine supports brain health and enhances cognitive function. A human clinical trial found that plant-derived spermidine can improve memory and cognition in older adults experiencing subjective cognitive decline [6]. Say goodbye to brain fog and welcome clearer, sharper thinking.

Promotes Gut Health

Gut dysbiosis, which is an imbalance between good and bad bacteria in the gut microbiome, is one of the root causes of aging and a key indicator of poor gut health. Spermidine helps to combat this by sealing the tight junctions in the gut lining. Since the gut lining is only one cell thick, these are prone to becoming leaky and require support in sealing them up [7].

Primeadine Original contains a unique prebiotic fiber called FOS that feeds the healthy gut bacteria in the gut microbiome and has been linked to improved brain function in older individuals [8].

Supports Hormonal Balance

Hormonal balance is crucial for maintaining health, especially as we age. Spermidine has been found to positively influence hormone regulation, helping to stabilize levels of key hormones.

Proven to reduce the stress hormone, cortisol, and increase the hormones that keep you youthful, fertile, and full of energy - progesterone, estradiol, DHEA, and pregnenolone for women, and testosterone for men - spermidine is a crucial tool for hormonal equilibrium. A recent study also dubbed it “ground-breaking” for the world of fertility, showing it to improve egg quality in older mice through the induction of autophagy [9].

Supports Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular health is another critical aspect of aging well. Spermidine has been shown to support heart health by improving the function of endothelial cells, which line the blood vessels [10]. This can lead to better blood flow and reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, spermidine's anti-inflammatory properties contribute to a healthier cardiovascular system, helping to maintain optimal heart function and reduce the risk of age-related cardiovascular issues.

Final Thoughts

As with most things, the key to real results is consistency. If you find it difficult to remember to take your supplements, we'd recommend checking out our blog post on 'How To Optimize Your Results with Primeadine'.

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Feel free to reach out with any questions or share your success stories with us. We’re here to support you on your journey towards radiant wellness.

You can find the answers to our most frequently asked questions here.

References

1. Lopez-Otin, C., Blasco, M.A., Partridge, L., Serrano, M. & Kroemer, G. (2023) Hallmarks of aging: An expanding universe. Cell, 186(2), 243-278.

2. Eisenberg, T., Knauer, H., Schauer, A., Büttner, S., Ruckenstuhl, C., Carmona-Gutierrez, D., … & Fussi, H. (2009). Induction of autophagy by spermidine promotes longevity. Nature cell biology, 11(11), 1305-1314.

3. Zwighaft, Z., Aviram, R., Shalev, M., Rousso-Noori, L., Kraut-Cohen, J.,Golik, M., … & Asher, G. (2015). Circadian clock control by polyamine levels through a mechanism that declines with age. Cell metabolism, 22(5), 874-885.

4. Rinaldi, F., Marzani, B., Pinto, D., & Ramot, Y. (2017). A spermidine based nutritional supplement prolongs the anagen phase of hair follicles in humans: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 7(4), 17.

5. Ramot, Y., Tiede, S., Bíró, T., Bakar, M. H. A., Sugawara, K., Philpott, M. P., … & Paus, R. (2011). Spermidine promotes human hair growth and is a novel modulator of human epithelial stem cell functions. PLoS One, 6(7), e22564.

6. Wirth, M., Benson, G., Schwarz, C., Köbe, T., Grittner, U., Schmitz, D., …& Flöel, A. (2018). The effect of spermidine on memory performance in older adults at risk for dementia: A randomized controlled trial. Cortex, 109, 181-188.

7. Ramos-Molina, B., Queipo-Ortuño, M. I., Lambertos, A., Tinahones, F. J., & Peñafiel, R. (2019). Dietary and gut microbiota polyamines in obesity-and age-related diseases. Frontiers in Nutrition, 6, 24.

8. Ni Lochlainn, M., Bowyer, R. C., Moll, J. M., García, M. P., Wadge, S., Baleanu, A., Nessa, A., Sheedy, A., Akdag, G., Hart, D., Raffaele, G., Seed, P. T., Murphy, C., Harridge, S. D., Welch, A. A., Greig, C., Whelan, K., & Steves, C. J. (2024). Effect of gut microbiome modulation on muscle function and cognition: The PROMOTe randomised controlled trial. Nature Communications, 15(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-46116-y

9. Zhang, Y., Bai, J., Cui, Z., Li, Y., Gao, Q., Miao, Y., & Xiong, B. (2023). Polyamine metabolite spermidine rejuvenates oocyte quality by enhancing mitophagy during female reproductive aging. Nature Aging, 3(11), 1372-1386. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-023-00498-8

10. de Cabo R, Navas P. Spermidine to the rescue for an aging heart. Nat Med. 2016 Dec 6;22(12):1389-1390. doi: 10.1038/nm.4243. PMID: 27923032; PMCID: PMC5853099.

Leslie Kenny, MBA (Harvard), BA East Asian Studies (Berkeley), Dip. Health Coach (IIN)

Leslie Kenny is an Oxford-based entrepreneur from Southern California and a graduate of Berkeley and Harvard Business School. In her 30s, her life changed dramatically when she was diagnosed with an array of autoimmune conditions - lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism. This led her on a quest to heal herself, re-educating herself on health at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York and becoming a Bulletproof health coach under Dave Asprey. She is now the Founder of Oxford Healthspan and Co-Founder of the non-profit organization, Oxford Longevity Project.

FAQs

See all FAQs or contact us!

What is spermidine?

Spermidine is a vital, naturally-occurring molecule called a polyamine, which is a type of protein. It is known for inducing autophagy, the body's cellular "clean up" and recycling process, and targeting the root causes of aging.

We naturally produce spermidine when we are young, but this declines with age, making us much more reliant on food-derived sources of spermidine, like Primeadine.

What are the benefits of spermidine?

Human clinical trials using food-derived spermidine have shown it to support cognition and heart health, promote hormonal balance, improve hair growth and fullness (including eyelashes and brows), increase collagen synthesis, and strengthen nails.

Studies have correlated higher plant-derived spermidine levels with a longer life. They have also shown its potential in improving fertility and restoring sleep by regulating the body's internal clock (aka circadian rhythm).

Other benefits noticed by our clients include deeper, sounder sleep, gray hair reversal, enhanced energy levels, brighter, more supple skin, and improved gut health. Read our Reviews to find out more.

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.

Why is Primeadine more expensive than other spermidine supplements?

We take great care to use the highest quality ingredients available and to keep out the 'nasties' commonly found in the supplement manufacturing process. We take the same approach that we do when baking a birthday cake for our children: we use the highest quality ingredients - no industrial seed oils such as wheat germ oil that oxidizes rapidly and wreaks havoc in our cells, no magnesium stearate to make the powder flow faster through automated encapsulation equipment (approximately 80% of all magnesium stearate used as 'flow agents' contain hydrogenated industrial seed oils), and no talc to make the powder denser and fit more compactly into fewer capsules.
We also do not use synthetic spermidine, which is very cheap and often 'cut' into products stating they contain 'wheat germ with spermidine.'
We choose food-derived spermidine, sourced and manufactured in Japan, which has one of the strictest food and supplement regulatory regimens in the world. Our products undergo rigorous third party lab testing to ensure they are of the purest and most effective quality. Yes, it is more costly, just as the best cake ingredients for your child's birthday cake would be too. It's a choice and philosophy we wholeheartedly believe in and follow every step of the way.

What is the best spermidine dose to take?

To date, most studies have been conducted using a daily dose of 1mg of food-derived spermidine, which is the amount present in Primeadine.

The US FDA has not ruled on a safe upper limit for food-derived spermidine, but the European Union's European Food Safety Authority has deemed 6mg of supplemental food-derived spermidine to be the safe upper limit.

Synthetic spermidine has not been tested for safety in humans.

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