What is spermidine?
Spermidine is a polyamine compound found in ribosomes and living tissues that has numerous health benefits. This polyamine can be found in many different types of foods and can also be obtained via supplements. It is a precursor to other polyamines, such as spermine and its structural isomer thermospermine.
Spermidine is a longevity agent in mammals due to various mechanisms of action, which are just beginning to be understood. Autophagy is the main mechanism at the molecular level, but evidence has been found for other mechanisms, including inflammation reduction, lipid metabolism, and regulation of cell growth, proliferation, and death.
What is autophagy?
Scientists and researchers around the world have been working for decades to better understand autophagy and how to induce it. Autophagy explained may sound confusing, as there are many steps involved in the process and still many unknowns. However, we do know that the process is used as a mechanism through which the body can remove dysfunctional parts of cells and recycle them driving cellular repair, cleaning, and renewal.
The main purpose of the process is to remove debris and self-regulate back to optimal smooth function. It is believed that this process happens in the absence of external sources of food. The body begins to eat itself, replacing damaged cells in the process. Certain compounds, such as spermidine, can expedite this process.
Spermidine Can Help Protect Your Brain
Researchers and scientists are still trying to pinpoint exactly how spermidine and autophagy can help our bodies. Recent studies have shined a light on how spermidine can help protect our brain after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A recent study from the field of molecular and cellular neurobiology at Fujian Medical University has shown that spermidine has a protective regenerative effect on the brain. Here are some of the important and relevant findings from the study:
- This studied observed participants who suffered from a TBI
- The study tracked the effects spermidine had on recovery
- The study found improvements in brain swelling and the functioning of the blood-brain barrier in the spermidine-treated group
- Fewer neurons died as a result of the spermidine administration
- Researchers detected an increase in cognitive function after the brain injury was detected
- The brain was able to solve more tasks and work faster
- The spermidine content in the test group with severe brain injuries was significantly lower. This suggests that spermidine can prevent or minimize potential brain damage
- The results of this study are very important as it’s one of the first studies that demonstrated that the administration of spermidine can be a treatment for craniocerebral trauma. Research regarding spermidines’ effect on the brain is still in its infancy. This can be a landmark study moving forward.
The results of this study are very important as it’s one of the first studies that demonstrated that the administration of spermidine can be a treatment for craniocerebral trauma. Research regarding spermidines’ effect on the brain is still in its infancy. This can be a landmark study moving forward.
Other Benefits of Spermidine
- Improved longevity – One of the biggest benefits of spermidine is that it can increase your longevity. This is because it induces autophagy in the body. We discussed the impact autophagy can have earlier in the article
- Reduced risk of liver cancer – Studies have found that spermidine leads to regeneration of the damaged liver tissue
- Increased weight loss
- The removal of toxic proteins from cells that are attributed to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease
- Recycling residual proteins
- Providing energy and building blocks for cells
