What is spermidine?
Spermidine, first isolated from semen or sperm, is a water-soluble polyamine ingredient that occurs naturally in all tissues of our human bodies and is also found in many other organisms like animals, plants, and typical dietary foods. Spermidine is able to penetrate biological membranes and is believed to be beneficial to cell renewal and anti-aging purposes.
Spermidine is a small molecule with a molecular weight of 145.25, and a unique CAS Registry Number of 124-20-9. It’s stable at room temperature. The color of Spermidine-rich wheat germ extract is white to yellowish powder, while for synthetic spermidine powder, the color is white to off-white. Spermidine is also available in the chloride form as spermidine trihydrochloride or spermidine 3 HCL (CAS 334-50-9).
What is the difference between spermine and spermidine?
Both spermine and spermidine are polyamines involved in cellular metabolism. Popular polyamines include agmatine (AGM), putrescine (PUT), cadaverine (CAD), spermine (SPM), and spermidine (SPD). Spermine is a crystalline powder compound and is related to spermidine, but is not the same.
Spermidine is a precursor to other polyamines, like spermine and thermospermine. The chemical name of spermidine is N-(3-aminopropyl) butane-1,4-diamine while the CAS number of spermine is 71-44-3 (free base) and 306-67-2 (tetrahydrochloride).
Spermidine sources
There are two main ways for obtaining bulk spermidine, one is from natural foods, and the other is from chemical synthesis.
There are several foods high in spermidine, such as wheat germ extract, fruits, grapefruit, yeast, mushrooms, meat, soybeans, cheese, Japanese Natto (fermented soybeans), green peas, rice bran, cheddar, etc. That’s why the Mediterranean diet is so popular since a high polyamine content in it. Below is the amount of spermidine content in foods from Wikipedia:
According to the literature, wheat germ is the best food that has the highest spermidine.
How does spermidine work?
When we talk about spermidine, we need to mention autophagy first. Autophagy is the body’s own way of cleaning out damaged cells, in order to regenerate newer, healthier cells. “Auto” means self and “phagy” means eat.
Spermidine is best known for its ability to trigger the cellular process of autophagy, mimicking one of the key benefits of the popular health practice of fasting and caloric restriction. Autophagy is the most powerful benefit of fasting. The best part is that spermidine is able to trigger autophagy without fasting.
Various mechanisms of action of spermidine are under research for its longevity benefit in mammals. Autophagy is the main mechanism, while other pathways, including inflammation reduction, lipid metabolism, and regulation of cell growth, proliferation, and death are also studied by scientists.
Spermidine Benefits
The proven main health benefits of spermidine supplements are anti-aging and hair growth.
Spermidine for anti-aging and longevity
Spermidine levels decrease with age. Supplementation can replenish these levels and induce autophagy, thus renewing cells and extending lifespan.
Spermidine works to support brain and heart health. Spermidine is believed to help reduce the onset of neurodegenerative and age-related diseases. Spermidine can support cellular renewal and help cells stay young and healthy.
Spermidine for human hair growth
A spermidine-based nutritional supplement can prolong the anagen phase in humans, and therefore might be beneficial for hair loss conditions. Further studies are needed to evaluate its effects in specific different clinical settings.
For more info, please read the study here: A spermidine-based nutritional supplement prolongs the anagen phase of hair follicles in humans: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study
Other possible benefits may include:
- Promote fat loss and healthy weight
- Normalize bone density
- Reduce age-dependent muscular atrophy
- Enhance the growth of hair, skin, and nails
Supplements containing spermidine
The majority of spermidine supplements on the market are spermidine-rich wheat germ extract. spermidine tablets and spermidine capsules are available.
SpermidineLIFE® Dietary Supplement by Longevity Labs, Inc.
spermidineLIFE® is the first dietary supplement containing lab-verified, spermidine-rich wheat germ extract. The main ingredients in it include Spermidine-rich wheat germ extract, zinc gluconate, and vitamin B1 (Thiamine Hydrochloride).
Primeadine by Oxford Healthspan
The main ingredient in it is concentrated wheat germ extract, with a branded spermidine ingredient-Primeadine.
Spermidine Dosage
Spermidine is new to the market, and not recommended dose for the time being. One supplement has a max daily intake of 2 grams of spermidine extract, equivalent to 12 mg pure spermidine a day.
Spermidine Side effects
Spermidine-rich wheat germ extract is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), consistent with Section 20l(s) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
However, Spermidine-rich wheat germ extract may contain allergens like gluten and wheat. If you’re allergic to any compound in it or have gluten problems from wheat-based foods, please consult your doctor. Maybe pure synthetic spermidine will have no such problem.
Where to buy Spermidine powder in bulk?
Cima Science is a manufacturer and supplier of bulk spermidine for sale. SpermidinePURE is its branded trademark of spermidine ingredients in tablets, powders, capsules, etc. Custom spermidine supplement formulas are all available upon your specific request. If you want to buy spermidine powder in large quantities, please send an inquiry to us directly.
