Spermidine
Spermidine
A natural polyamine that induces autophagy, linked in population studies to lower mortality and studied for cardiovascular and cognitive aging.
Overview
Spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine found in foods such as wheat germ and aged cheese that promotes autophagy, the cell's self-cleaning process. Observational studies link higher dietary spermidine to lower cardiovascular and overall mortality, and small human trials have examined memory and heart health. It is a supplement, and while the mechanistic case is strong, causal human longevity evidence is still preliminary.
Mechanism of action
Induces autophagy by inhibiting acetyltransferase activity, helping cells clear damaged components associated with aging.
Key studies & citations
- Animal2009
Induction of autophagy by spermidine promotes longevity
Spermidine extended lifespan in yeast, flies, worms and human immune cells by inducing autophagy.
Nature Cell Biology - Animal2016
Cardioprotection and lifespan extension by the natural polyamine spermidine
Oral spermidine extended mouse lifespan and preserved cardiac function through enhanced cardiac autophagy and mitophagy.
Nature Medicine - Human2018
Higher spermidine intake is linked to lower mortality: a prospective population-based study
Bruneck cohort: hazard ratio for all-cause death 0.76 per 1 SD higher dietary spermidine after adjustment; observational.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Frequently asked questions
Does spermidine extend lifespan in people?
It reliably induces autophagy and is linked to lower mortality in observational data, but that is not proof of cause. Human longevity evidence remains preliminary.