Autophagy

Will Spermidine Support My Gut Health?

woman with hands on stomach | Oxford Healthspan

When it comes to gut health, the conversation often revolves around probiotics, fiber, and fermented foods. But there’s a lesser-known compound making waves in the scientific community for its impact on the gut microbiome: spermidine. This naturally occurring polyamine, found in various foods, has shown promising potential in promoting gut health and overall well-being.

What is Spermidine?

Spermidine is a polyamine that occurs naturally in all living cells. It plays a crucial role in cellular processes, including autophagy, which is the body's way of cleaning out damaged cells and regenerating new ones. As we age, the levels of spermidine in our bodies decline, making dietary intake increasingly important.

How Spermidine Benefits Gut Health

Promotes Autophagy

Autophagy is essential for maintaining cellular health by removing dysfunctional cellular components and recycling them. Spermidine's ability to enhance autophagy helps maintain the integrity of gut cells, leading to a healthier gut lining and improved gut function. A study published in Science [1] highlighted spermidine's role in autophagy and its potential in promoting longevity and healthspan.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Chronic inflammation is a common issue in gut disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). It is also one of the most significant root causes of aging. Spermidine has been shown to reduce inflammation, potentially alleviating symptoms and improving gut health. Research published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine [2] demonstrated spermidine's anti-inflammatory effects and its potential in mitigating inflammation.

Supports The Gut Microbiome

A balanced gut microbiome is crucial for digestive health, immune function, and even mental health. Spermidine can influence the gut microbiome, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria while inhibiting harmful ones. This balance is key to preventing and managing gut-related diseases. A study in Nature Medicine [3] explored how dietary spermidine affects the gut microbiome composition, highlighting its potential benefits.

Enhances Gut Barrier Function

The gut barrier protects against harmful substances entering the bloodstream. Spermidine strengthens this barrier by promoting the health of epithelial cells lining the gut, reducing the risk of leaky gut syndrome. Findings in the Gut Microbes [4] suggest that spermidine can enhance the integrity of the gut barrier, offering protection against various gastrointestinal disorders.

Incorporating Spermidine Into Your Daily Routine

The highest sources of spermidine in food are wheat germ (which is what we use in Primeadine Original in a concentrated form to achieve the 1mg minimum effective dose of supplemental spermidine as used in clinical trials), soybeans, aged cheeses like cheddar and parmesean, shiitake mushrooms, and green peas.

The Power of Prebiotics: 

We also add a unique prebiotic fiber, called FOS, to Primeadine Original, to support natural spermidine production in your gut microbiome. As well as increasing your own ability to produce spermidine, this prebiotic fiber has a wide range of other gut-loving benefits.

Prebiotics are natural plant fibers found in fruits and vegetables that consist of complex carbohydrates, which serve as nourishment for your gut bacteria. Once consumed, they pass through the digestive system intact and reach the colon, where they are metabolized and fermented by the gut microbiome into various short-chain fatty acids. This not only boosts the production of beneficial bacteria but also supports several bodily functions, including energy production, inflammation control, and immune response.

The benefits of prebiotics are diverse and intricate, with ongoing research exploring their precise mechanisms. Currently, they are known to regulate bowel movements, stimulate neurotransmitters involved in the gut-brain axis to manage mood and stress, enhance immune and anti-inflammatory responses, and improve bone density.

Read more in this blog post.

Spermidine is a fascinating compound with significant potential benefits for gut health. By promoting autophagy, reducing inflammation, supporting a balanced microbiome, and enhancing gut barrier function, spermidine can play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut. As research continues to uncover more about this polyamine, incorporating spermidine-rich foods into your diet and taking a food-derived spermidine supplement, like Primeadine, could be a simple yet powerful way to boost your gut health and overall well-being.

References

1. Madeo F, Eisenberg T, Pietrocola F, Kroemer G. Spermidine in health and disease. Science. 2018 Jan 26;359(6374):eaan2788. doi: 10.1126/science.aan2788. PMID: 29371440.

2. Liu, R., Li, X., Ma, H., Yang, Q., Shang, Q., Song, L., Zheng, Z., Zhang, S., Pan, Y., Huang, P., Fang, J., Li, Y., Liu, Z., Cao, L., Feng, C., Gong, Z., Chen, Y., Wang, Y., Melino, G., . . . Shi, Y. (2020). Spermidine endows macrophages anti-inflammatory properties by inducing mitochondrial superoxide-dependent AMPK activation, Hif-1α upregulation and autophagy. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 161, 339-350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.10.029

3. Puleston DJ, Baixauli F, Sanin DE, Edwards-Hicks J, Villa M, Kabat AM, Kamiński MM, Stanckzak M, Weiss HJ, Grzes KM, Piletic K, Field CS, Corrado M, Haessler F, Wang C, Musa Y, Schimmelpfennig L, Flachsmann L, Mittler G, Yosef N, Kuchroo VK, Buescher JM, Balabanov S, Pearce EJ, Green DR, Pearce EL. Polyamine metabolism is a central determinant of helper T cell lineage fidelity. Cell. 2021 Aug 5;184(16):4186-4202.e20. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.06.007. Epub 2021 Jul 2. PMID: 34216540; PMCID: PMC8358979. 

4. Ma L, Ni Y, Wang Z, Tu W, Ni L, Zhuge F, Zheng A, Hu L, Zhao Y, Zheng L, Fu Z. Spermidine improves gut barrier integrity and gut microbiota function in diet-induced obese mice. Gut Microbes. 2020 Nov 9;12(1):1-19. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2020.1832857. PMID: 33151120; PMCID: PMC7668533.

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