Natural Auto-Rejuvenation Factor
15 May 2023

Spermidine... Natural Auto-Rejuvenation Factor

Why I want to write about this supplement? Well, because I've just started a cycle of it. Spermidine interestingly named right, anyway it's a polyamine compound found in all living cells and has gained much attention due to its potential anti-ageing benefits. It is abundant in foods such as soybeans, wheat germ (where the supplement we have gets it from), and mushrooms, as well as in the human body. Originally discovered in the 17th century, spermidine's potential benefits have been of interest in the fields of biochemistry and cell biology. It was initially found in large amounts in human semen. Spermidine has been shown to have multiple biological effects, including autophagy induction, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Autophagy is the natural process by which cells eliminate damaged or dysfunctional components to maintain their health and function.

In ageing and age-related diseases, autophagy declines, leading to cellular dysfunction and damage. Spermidine has been shown to promote autophagy by inhibiting mTOR, a protein that regulates cell growth and division. This in turn leads to the removal of damaged cellular components and promotes cell turnover, a process essential for rejuvenation and longevity. Spermidine has also been found to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Inflammation is a major factor in ageing and age-related diseases. By reducing inflammation, Spermidine can protect against tissue damage and promote tissue repair. Additionally, Spermidine has been shown to increase the activity of SOD, an antioxidant enzyme that protects cells from oxidative stress and damage. Research on Spermidine supplementation has shown promising results. A study published in the journal Nature Medicine found that oral supplementation of Spermidine in mice improved cardiac function and increased lifespan. In human studies, spermidine supplementation has been shown to improve cognitive function, memory, and sleep quality.

Hair

I've been reading also about its use to thicken and grow hair and I discovered interesting things. There are the studies conducted at the Rinaldi Dermatologic Clinic in Milan, Italy. The first study conducted on the impact of Spermidine on the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle in humans. To investigate this, a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled experiment was performed on 100 men and women who were divided into two groups, a placebo group and a treatment group. Participants in the treatment group were given oral Spermidine supplements daily after their main meal for a total of 90 days. The focus was on the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle, which is the period of hair growth. The researchers assessed hair growth at T0 (beginning of the study), T1 (3 months after the start of the study), and T2 (6 months after the study began). The study found that the number of anagen hair bulbs increased by more than 50% in the Spermidine group, while the placebo group saw a 20% decrease.

Furthermore, the Spermidine group saw an increase in proliferation levels which can be attributed to a reduction of apoptosis in the follicular cells. Although the exact pathway through which Spermidine promotes hair growth is not completely understood, it has been found that the gene expression-modulation effects combined with its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties are key factors. Spermidine's role in human longevity is also evident in hair follicles, promoting healthier hair growth that lasts longer. Additionally, the study observed the benefits of Spermidine treatment for up to 3 months after the study ended. Consequently, this research demonstrates that oral supplementation of Spermidine can beneficially impact human hair follicles and treat hair disorders such as telogen effluvium and patterned hair loss. Now, you know what I mentioned in the opening paragraph? Remember where Spermidine is found abundantly? The clue is in the name, haha! Anyway, now imagine how much of this you lose as a man over time. Can you correlate this with your hair loss? Ok, every man loses semen through regular sex or ejaculation and not all men lose hair, but it could be a factor. So, perhaps Spermidine might be the one for you.

Fertility

Spermidine is also believed to have potential benefits for male fertility, no surprise again. It plays a crucial role in sperm production, and fertile men typically have higher Spermidine levels than infertile ones. Spermidine may improve fertility by optimising hormonal levels and reducing stress and oestradiol levels while increasing testosterone for better sexual function. Wrinkles and aged skin are among the first signs of ageing, which prompts a significant part of the multi-billion dollar beauty industry. Spermidine has been the subject of clinical research on anti-ageing benefits for the skin. The studies found that Spermidine can improve skin structure, barrier function, and stimulate collagen production, elastin, and lipid levels in aged skin cells. In women, ageing can lead to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage eggs in the ovaries. This damages female germline stem cells (FGSCs) in the ovaries, affecting fertility. Spermidine has been shown to reduce oxidative stress in FGSCs, boost autophagy, and increase stem cell production, leading to better fertility.

Ageing can cause cognitive function to decline, which can lead to memory loss and dementia. Scientific research has shown that decreased inflammation due to ageing corresponds to improved verbal memory in some cases. Preliminary evidence suggests Spermidine supplementation can support cognitive health, and studies have observed memory improvement in people with subjective cognitive decline. Autophagy plays a pivotal role in this process by eliminating harmful cell compounds and promoting healthy cells, slowing down degenerative cognitive processes. In closing on this incredible supplement that I've just started taking (I'll update in 3 months) Spermidine clearly plays a crucial role in several biological processes, including cell growth and division, gene expression, and autophagy. Additionally, it has been linked to several health benefits, including increased lifespan, hair health, improved cardiovascular health, and protection against neurodegenerative diseases. The research available on it as a food supplement is growing, however, more is needed to determine the optimal dose and protocol of Spermidine supplementation. I can talk about my plan based on research and I read a lot before I collated it all here. I'm taking 3 of the capsules daily with food I also I must say that the ones we have are quite high strength at 3mg a day, so you could totally do 1 or 2 instead. But, as most of our clients and friends know, I like to drive fast and reach my destination quickly.