Spermidine

Spermidine is a polyamine naturally produced in every human cell and found in high concentrations in fermented foods like natto, aged cheese, and wheat germ — and it may be one of the most compelling longevity compounds you've never heard of. Its primary mechanism is autophagy induction: spermidine inhibits the acetyltransferase EP300, shifting cellular metabolism toward the breakdown and recycling of damaged proteins and organelles rather than accumulation. Spermidine supplementation has extended lifespan in yeast, roundworms, flies, and mice, with mouse studies showing approximately 10% longer lifespan and suppressed age-related cardiovascular decline. In humans, epidemiological data published in the journal Aging found higher dietary spermidine intake associated with reduced overall, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. A 2020 study in eLife demonstrated that spermidine levels in human T-cells decline with age and that supplementation restored autophagy function in T-cells from older donors to levels comparable to young donors — a meaningful cellular finding. People in midlife or beyond, or those interested in immune aging and cellular maintenance, are the most relevant audience. Safety appears favorable in short-term studies; longer-term human RCT data is still accumulating. The longevity supplement that gets less attention than it deserves, largely because it's hard to pronounce.

Also known as: Wheat Germ Extract, Polyamine