Spermmidine-rich diet holds
to the people young longer
Background
Der Wunsch, alt zu werden und dabei jung zu bleiben, ist wohl so alt wie die Menschheit selbst. The desire to grow old and stay young is probably as old as humanity itself. In the past, people dreamed of the mythical fountain of youth, while researchers are working today to scientifically explore the various aspects of the aging process. Research on spermimidine and its effect on aging is attracting great attention. This natural pulp could lead to the goal of enabling a healthy and long life within reach. First discovered in the 1870s, sperm got its name because it was detected in seminal fluid. Today it is known that the vital substance is not only found in male organisms, but can be found in all body cells. Also, plant-based foods contain spermide.
Objective
Spermidine plays a central role in autophagy, a natural process responsible for the “self-cleaning” of the cells. In this process, damaged or unnecessary cell components are broken down and recycled. However, with age, the spermidine concentration decreases and thus the ability of the cells to cleanse self-cleaning. This imbalance can lead to deposits, which in turn increase the risk of various diseases. Studies in animals have shown that an increased spermidine supply is associated with a longer lifespan and a reduction in age-related mortality. A recent, highly acclaimed study by Kiechl and Kolleg investigates whether there is also a connection between the spermidine intake of food and mortality in humans – and provides exciting results.
Method
An international researcher from the Medical University of Innsbruck conducted a long-term study in the South Tyrolean community of Brunico. This region is particularly suitable for such studies, as the mobility of the population is low and many inhabitants maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. Over a period of 20 years, 829 people aged 45 to 84 were systematically examined for age-related diseases. Every five years, the scientists conducted comprehensive investigations, including the survey of food intake using a specially developed nutrition questionnaire. This allowed conclusions to be driven into the spermidine set, which the participants naturally ate.
Spermidine sources and its possible effects
In which foods is spermmidin particularly abundant? In addition to the body’s own production, spermidine is also produced by certain bacteria in our intestinal flora.
About one third of the spermidine comes from self-production, while the rest is absorbed through the food. The spermidine-rich foods include mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, legumes, certain cheeses, whole grains and wheat germ, with soybean products having particularly high amounts. However, the spermidine quantities in natural sources can vary greatly.
Results
The results of the study provide interesting insights: women tended to have higher spermide content in their diet than men, with values falling with age. Participants’ most important spermidine sources included whole grains, apples, pears, salads, shoots vegetable sprouts and potatoes. The subject was divided into three groups based on their spermidine intake: low (below 9 mg), medium (9-11.6 mg) and high (over 11.6 mg) spermidine image. The analysis showed that individuals with a spermidine-rich diet had a significantly lower mortality rate. Specifically: the higher the daily spermidide intake, the lower the mortality risk. People in the group with the highest spermidine intake lived on average 5.7 years longer than those in the group with the lowest recording.
Discussion and conclusion
A move to Bruneck is not necessary to benefit from these findings. The results are transferable and show that a spermidine-rich diet may contribute to a longer and healthier life. This study provides the first evidence of a relationship between a spermidine-rich diet and an extended lifespan in humans. The epidemiological data are in line with animal studies that have been able to demonstrate similar effects. To confirm these results, however, further intervention studies are required, some of which are already underway. We can be curious about future results!
The study was published online in July 2018 in the scientific journal American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN).
Sources: Kiechl, S., Pechlaner, R., Willeit, P., et al. (2018). Higher spermidine intake is linked to lower mortality: a prospective population-based study.
The American journal of clinical nutrition, 108(2), 371–380. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqy102
The American journal of clinical nutrition, 108(2), 371–380. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqy102
