Quick facts

Safety: 

Dietary Consumption: Spermidine consumed through dietary sources is generally considered safe. The levels of spermidine in foods are not associated with adverse effects in healthy individuals, and consuming a balanced diet that includes spermidine-rich foods can be part of a healthy lifestyle.

Supplementation: The safety of spermidine as a dietary supplement is also considered to be good, with studies showing it to be well-tolerated at the dosages used in research. However, as with any supplement, there can be potential side effects, especially when taken in doses much higher than those typically found in the diet. Most research on spermidine supplementation has reported only mild side effects, if any.

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ITP results: not tested

(The Interventions Testing Program (ITP) is a peer-reviewed program designed to identify agents that extend lifespan and healthspan in mice)

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Key trials: 

Spermidine Anti-Hypertension Study (SMARTEST) :This study is investigating the effects of spermidine supplementation on blood pressure in people with hypertension. The study is being conducted at the Medical University of Graz in Austria.

Effects of Spermidine Supplementation on Cognition and Biomarkers in Older Adults With Subjective Cognitive Decline :This study is investigating the effects of spermidine supplementation on cognition and biomarkers of aging in older adults with subjective cognitive decline. The study is being conducted at the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin in Germany.

An Exploratory Clinical Study on Autophagy and Multi-level Molecular Profiling During Spermidine Supplementation:This study is investigating the effects of spermidine supplementation on autophagy and other molecular pathways in healthy individuals and people with depression. The study is being conducted at the University of Greifswald in Germany.

Schroeder, S., Hofer, S.J., Zimmermann, A., et al. (2021). "The effect of spermidine on memory performance in older adults at risk for dementia: A randomized controlled trial." Cortex. This clinical trial investigated the effects of spermidine supplementation on memory performance in older adults, showing a positive impact on cognitive function.

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Some studies and publications: 

"Spermidine: A Novel Therapeutic Target for Age-Related Diseases” Published in the journal "Aging" in 2023. 

Eisenberg, T., Knauer, H., Schauer, A., et al. (2009). "Induction of autophagy by spermidine promotes longevity." Nature Cell Biology. This foundational study demonstrated that spermidine supplementation extends the lifespan of yeast, flies, worms, and human immune cells by inducing autophagy.

Madeo, F., Eisenberg, T., Pietrocola, F., et al. (2018). "Spermidine in health and disease." Science. This review discusses the broad biological effects of spermidine, including its role in promoting longevity through the induction of autophagy, and highlights spermidine's potential therapeutic applications for aging and age-related diseases.

Sigrist, S.J., Carmona-Gutierrez, D., Gupta, V.K., et al. (2014). "Spermidine-triggered autophagy ameliorates memory during aging." Aging (Albany NY). This study suggests that spermidine can ameliorate age-related memory decline in fruit flies by inducing autophagy, pointing to its potential benefits for cognitive health.

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Overview: Research suggests that spermidine intake is associated with cellular autophagy, a process that helps recycle cellular components and remove damaged or dysfunctional proteins and organelles, which is beneficial for cellular health and longevity. Anti-inflammatory effects, mitochondrial function, and anti-aging gene regulation are also being studied.

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Type of substance: Spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine found in a wide range of foods, including wheat germ, soybeans, and aged cheese.

‍Other related: quercetin, resveratrol