Spermidine is considered a kickstarter for cell renewal and many other organic processes. Learn all about spermidine sources and their effects.
Table of contents
1. What is spermidine?
Spermidine, also known as monoaminopropylputrescine, is a biogenic polyamine . Polyamines are so-called " closely spaced amino groups ." They are therefore saturated, open-chain, or cyclic organic compounds .
Similar to amino acids, these chemical compounds exist in a kind of chain structure. Spermidine is formed as an intermediate in the formation of spermine and putrescine .
Spermidine is present in all living cells and plays a key role in cell growth . Although its exact physiological function is not yet understood , it is assumed that spermidine is involved, among other things, in the formation of proteins and nucleic acids, serving, for example, to stabilize membranes [1].
The amount of spermidine in our body increases with an acceleration of metabolism . The body's own production of spermidine decreases with age .
During pregnancy and in children, however, even during growth spurts , spermidine production is significantly increased . Spermidine requirements are also significantly higher after strenuous physical exertion, significant blood loss, and prolonged exposure to high altitudes.
High spermidine levels can also be an indication of certain diseases such as rheumatism, hepatitis or skin eczema.
2. Effects and side effects of spermidine
Spermidine has many important functions within the human organism. Among other things, the polyamine contributes to the normal function of our heart muscle cells [2].
Spermidine also has a significant effect on the general structure and function of mitochondria [3]. A study conducted by the Free University of Berlin on fruit flies has also shown that spermidine could prevent age-related dementia.
Professors at Berlin's Charité Hospital are currently experimenting with this phenomenon. They want to find out whether administering spermidine—for example, through a pill or supplement—has the potential to prevent Alzheimer's and dementia.
Neuropsychological tests showed significant improvements in memory performance with spermidine [4]. Although the outcome of the study is not yet set in stone, no significant side effects were observed.
Furthermore, spermidine enhances the process of autophagy , our natural cell renewal [5]. Since autophagy occurs after a controlled calorie restriction over 48 to 72 hours, you can take advantage of this mechanism, for example, during fasting.
The few meals you then eat should be very rich in spermidine for maximum cell regeneration potential.
3. Spermidine-rich foods
In addition to the body's own production of spermidine, we can also easily absorb the polyamine through food. At 243 mg/kg, wheat germ, for example, has the highest spermidine dose.
Also impressive and somewhat unexpected is the amount of spermidine in cheese : A very mature Cheddar contains 199 mg/kg. Other spermidine-rich foods include soybeans : in their dried state, they can provide up to 207 mg/kg of spermidine .
At a hefty 104 mg/kg, pumpkin seeds, which are already very nutrient-rich, can also keep up . Various mushrooms are also solid sources of spermidine.
Depending on the variety, mushrooms, porcini, and other mushrooms can boast very solid levels: 1 kg contains up to 90 mg of spermidine. Peas , beef , chicken liver , and rice bran also contain values between 40 and 60 mg/kg.
Foods such as broccoli , cauliflower , dill , hazelnuts , corn and mango contain smaller, but still significant, doses of spermidine ( 20 to 30 mg/kg) .
4. Spermidine currently - The connection to CoVid 19
Virologists at Berlin's Charité hospital are currently investigating whether spermidine could also play a role in the fight against the coronavirus. These are colleagues of Professor Agnes Flöel, who is currently investigating the polyamine in relation to dementia.
According to Flöel, the reason for spermidine's potentially beneficial effect is the enhancement of the autophagy process . Several virological studies have now shown that the new coronaviruses significantly impair this process, as well as the body's own production of spermidine.
This may be how the virus spreads so quickly. Based on this observation, cell cultures will now be used to test whether external addition of spermidine could potentially inhibit the spread of the virus. The outcome of this study, however, is still unclear [6].
5. Conclusion
Spermidine is a biogenic polyamine that forms as an intermediate in the synthesis of spermine. It is present in many human body fluids.
In our body, spermidine plays an important role in cell renewal, i.e., autophagy, but also in the general health of our heart muscles and mitochondrial function. Therefore, the role of this polyamine in our health should not be underestimated.
Since virologists at the Charité have found a connection between the new coronaviruses and an inhibition of the body's own spermidine production and autophagy, spermidine is currently being researched, among other things, with a view to mitigating or preventing infection.
Regardless of the outcome of this study, it can't hurt to boost your natural cell renewal with spermidine. Simply make sure you eat a nutrient-rich diet that includes spermidine from time to time.
Foods particularly rich in spermidine include wheat germ, soybeans, very mature cheeses, as well as some mushrooms and pumpkin seeds.
6. Sources
[1] Depletion of cellular polyamines, spermidine and spermine, causes a total arrest in translation and growth in mammalian cells, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 110, Issue 5, p. 2169-2174, https://www.pnas.org/content/110/6/2169.
[2] de Cabo, R.; Navas, P. (2016), Spermidine to the rescue for an aging heart, Nature Medicine, Volume 22, Issue 12, p. 1389-1390, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5853099/.
[3] Wang, J.; Li, S.; [...]; Zhao, Y. (2020), Spermidine alleviates cardiac aging by improving mitochondrial biogenesis and function, Aging, Volume 12, Issue 1, p. 650-671, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31907336/.
[4] Gupta, VK; Scheunemann, L.; [...]; Madeo, F. (2013): Restoring polyamines protects from age-induced memory impairment in an autophagy-dependent manner, Restoring polyamines protects from age-induced memory impairment in an autophagy-dependent manner, Nature Neuroscience, Volume 16, p. 1453–1460, https://www.nature.com/articles/nn.3512.
[5] Eisenberg., T.; Knauer, H.; [...]; Madeo, F.; (2009), Induction of autophagy by spermidine promotes longevity, US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health (Publ), Natural Cell Biology, Volume 11, p. 1305-1314, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19801973/?dopt=Abstract.
[6] Leppert, B. (2020), Spermidine: New hope for Corona, Apothekenumschau, published online: https://www.apotheken-umschau.de/Coronavirus/Spermidin-Neuer-Hoffnungstraeger-bei-Corona-558501.html.
