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.

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.

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.

Synthetic spermidine is a 2D mimic, lacking the full 3D structure our bodies naturally recognize from plant-derived molecules. We’ve tested products labeled “wheat germ with spermidine” and found they often contain minimal wheat germ mixed with synthetic spermidine—high dose, low cost, but unproven in safety or efficacy.

Unlike synthetic versions, food-derived spermidine has been clinically tested for safety and effectiveness. It naturally includes polyamines like spermine and putrescine, which support the body’s spermidine recycling process, allowing for effective results at lower doses.

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.

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.

Since our natural ability to produce spermidine declines with age, we recommend taking Primeadine® on a consistent, long-term basis. Spermidine works on a cellular level, activating autophagy (the body's cell renewal and recycling process) and targets key aging pathways, reducing inflammation, rejuvenating stem cells and mitochondria, and protecting telomeres. Most people are able to tell a difference after 3-6 months of taking it, but not everyone experiences physical changes. You can read more about the benefits here.

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.

With respect to food sources, spermidine is found in the greatest amounts in concentrated wheat germ, found in Primeadine® Original, and the Japanese fermented soybean dish known as natto. It is also found in the endosperm of all seeds and legumes, signaling its importance to the survival of the next generation of the plant. A unique sub-strain of the algae chlorella, found in the longevity islands of Okinawa, Japan, is also rich in spermidine and what we use in Primeadine® GF.

Shiitake mushrooms, peas and long matured cheeses, including Cheddar and Parmesean, also contain spermidine, but the amounts will vary from batch to batch and depend on growing, soil and harvesting conditions. 

Yes, all of our Primeadine® bottles are made of recycled grade 1 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE). PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles are widely used in the supplement industry and offer some sustainability benefits:

• They are lightweight, reducing transportation emissions.
• PET is widely recyclable.
• PET bottles can be made with 100% recycled content (which ours are).
• Plastic bottles generally have a lower carbon footprint than glass bottles, despite common misconceptions!

No. Primeadine® spermidine is a naturally-occurring compound that is wholly derived from food sources. It is not classed as medical treatment.

•Primeadine® GF does not contain any FODMAPs and is appropriate for those on a low FODMAP diet. 

•Primeadine® Original is a concentrated wheat germ supplement and, like all wheat germ, contains FODMAPs.

•Primeadine® GF does not contain any FODMAPs that might make SIBO worse. However, we recommend checking with your healthcare practitioner if you are on a special diet.

•Primeadine® Original is a source of FODMAPs and may not be suitable for individuals with SIBO. 

•Primeadine® GF is suitable for celiacs as it does not contain any wheat, barley, rye or gluten.

•Primeadine® Original is not suitable for celiacs. It contains wheat and gluten. 

•Primeadine® GF does not contain any wheat, gluten or soy.

•Primeadine® Original contains wheat and gluten, but no soy. The amount of gluten per serving size is <40mgs. A standard slice of American bread will have between 1,000 - 2,000mgs of gluten. Primeadine® Original contains 1/50th to 1/100th the amount of gluten in a single slice of bread.

Orders are available from our website, which offers secure payment through Shopify and select wholesalers.

Primeadine® is manufactured in Japan in a GMP-compliant, ISO22000-certified facility, with regular FDA inspections. Quality and purity are verified by the independent Japan Food Research Lab (JFRL). Once in the U.S., the product undergoes further testing for heavy metals, molds, and impurities before encapsulation and bottling in a U.S. FDA-registered GMP facility. Learn more here.

Spermidine works on a cellular level, activating autophagy (the body's cell renewal and recycling process) and targets key aging pathways, reducing inflammation, rejuvenating stem cells and mitochondria, and protecting telomeres. Most people are able to tell a difference after 3-6 months of taking it, but not everyone experiences physical changes. Read more about the benefits and what to expect in this blog post.

Contraindications/Side Effects of Primeadine Original:

Contains concentrated wheat germ, so it's unsuitable for those with Celiac disease, wheat allergies, or those on Low-Fodmap, Autoimmune Paleo, Carnivore, or Lectin-free diets. Consult your healthcare provider if unsure.

It also contains a prebiotic fiber, which may not be well-tolerated by those with SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or that find it difficult to digest legumes. For these individuals, it may cause bloating.

Allergens: Wheat and gluten.

In these cases, we recommend opting for Primeadine GF. Primeadine GF is gluten-free and gentler on the stomach as it does not contain an added prebiotic fiber.

Contraindications/Side Effects of Primeadine GF:

• The formula contains natural Vitamin K2, a coagulating agent, so avoid it with blood thinners.
• If you have hemochromatosis (iron overload), consult your healthcare provider due to the iron content.
• Do not take if allergic to chlorella, citrus, or turmeric. Discontinue use if you experience any negative reactions. Signs of an allergic reaction may include nausea and vomiting.

Yes! You can register on this page where you can apply to become an affiliate for us. If you would like to stock Primeadine in your clinic or shop, please apply to become a stockist here.

Yes! Please fill out our wholesaler application form and then we will contact you to discuss suitability and next steps.

One serving of Primeadine contains 1mg of spermidine, which is the dose proven effective in studies and clinical trials. However, since everyone is bio-individual, some people may need to increase their dose. If you have been taking Primeadine for 6 months and can't tell a difference, we recommend experimenting with doubling your dose.

While there are no FDA guidelines, the European Food Safety Agency deems up to 6mg from wheat germ-derived spermidine supplements safe.

We haven't tested Primeadine® for safety in pregnant or breastfeeding women, so please consult your ob/gyn before use.

It is worth noting that spermidine is naturally abundant in babies and breast milk to support growth and gut health. Primeadine is also wholly food-derived, rigorously tested for purity, free from fillers and flow agents, and defatted to eliminate potentially rancid PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids).

We suggest taking Primeadine® with water at your last meal to kickstart autophagy before bed, or with your breakfast to extend those benefits.

If well tolerated with food, you may experiment with taking it just before bed or first thing in the morning.

Please store your bottles in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.

Yes! You can cancel your subscription at any time after creating it from your account via this link.

In your account portal via this link. Please use the email address you used to create your subscription.