Spermidine C7H19N3
Once upon a time, there was a little molecule called spermidine. It wasn't well-known and often overlooked, but it had a big role to play in the world of cells and aging.
Spermidine was involved in many cellular processes, such as cell growth, differentiation, and autophagy. But what made spermidine so special was its ability to extend lifespan and improve healthspan in various model organisms.
As spermidine went about its business, it was often overlooked by other molecules, like proteins and lipids, which seemed to get all the attention. However, spermidine didn't mind. It knew that its role was important, even if others didn't recognize it.
Over time, researchers began to take notice of spermidine and its potential health benefits. They discovered that spermidine could prevent age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders, and improve cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Spermidine was also found to have neuroprotective effects, reducing the accumulation of toxic proteins in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. It seemed that spermidine was a key player in the fight against aging and age-related diseases.
As the word spread about spermidine, more and more people began to take notice. They began incorporating spermidine-rich foods into their diets, such as whole grains, legumes, and fermented foods. Some even started taking spermidine supplements to ensure they were getting enough of this important molecule.
Spermidine may have started out as an overlooked molecule, but it had become a superstar in the world of health and aging. And as more research is conducted on spermidine, who knows what other benefits it may hold for us in the future.
Spermidine is a naturally occurring organic compound that is found in all living cells, including animals, plants, and bacteria. It is a polyamine, a class of molecules that contain multiple amino groups and are involved in various cellular processes.
Our body can produce spermidine itself in moderation. When metabolism speeds up (e.g.: during sport), the production of spermidine in the body is boosted. Conversely, the concentration decreases when the metabolism slows down. However, the amount produced by the body is not sufficient to cover the demand. The cells are dependent on food supply here. Spermidine is found mainly in whole grains or wheat germ, soybeans (about 200 mg/kg) or vegetables. Mushrooms and mature cheese are also rich in this molecule.
What does Spermidine do?
Spermidine plays various roles in cellular processes. It is involved in cell growth and differentiation, and it has been shown to regulate gene expression by affecting chromatin structure. Spermidine has also been found to induce autophagy, a process by which cells remove damaged cellular components and recycle them for energy. Autophagy is an essential process for maintaining cellular homeostasis and is particularly important in aging cells.
So what is meant by this term, which has its origins in ancient Greece?
Autophagy - the cell's own waste disposal system
When cells break down their own components, this is called autophagy or autophagocytosis. Familiarly, we like to speak of self-digestion.
Self-digestion is important above all because cell metabolism constantly produces some kind of by-products that are superfluous or damaged. With the process of autophagy, these can now either be disposed of or, even better, reused. However, not only metabolic products are autophagised, but also entire cell organelles - for example the mitochondria. Be it damage, ageing or even planned loss - sooner or later our cellular power plants start to sputter. To prevent this from having a negative effect on the performance of the entire cell, the mitochondrion is digested internally. The fact that new power plants are formed from the individual parts is all the more healing. Basically, autophagy is the cell's own waste disposal and recycling station in one.
The process is always stimulated when conditions are unfavourable for our cells. If there is a lack of nitrogen or food, for example, this is a start signal for the autophagy machinery. But even the best system eventually runs out of steam. As we age, both the spermidine concentration and the activity of our self-cleaning programme decline.
Diseases associated with spermidine depletion
Spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine that is involved in various cellular functions, such as gene expression, protein synthesis, and cell growth. Depletion of spermidine has been associated with several diseases, including:
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Age-related diseases: Spermidine has been shown to have anti-aging properties, and its depletion has been linked to the development of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and cardiovascular disease.
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Cancer: Spermidine is involved in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation, and its depletion has been associated with the development and progression of cancer.
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Liver disease: Spermidine is involved in the regulation of liver function and its depletion has been linked to the development of liver disease, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver fibrosis.
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Inflammatory bowel disease: Spermidine has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, and its depletion has been associated with the development of inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
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Diabetes: Spermidine is involved in the regulation of insulin secretion and glucose metabolism, and its depletion has been linked to the development and progression of diabetes.
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Cardiovascular disease: Spermidine has been shown to have cardioprotective properties, and its depletion has been associated with the development of cardiovascular disease, including heart failure and atherosclerosis.
- Neurodegenerative diseases: Spermidine has been shown to have neuroprotective properties, and its depletion has been linked to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
It is important to note that while spermidine depletion has been associated with these diseases, it is not necessarily the cause of them.
Spermidine has been associated with a range of potential health benefits, including:
- Improving healthspan in various model organisms.
- Preventing age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders.
- Reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, improving cardiovascular health.
- Reducing the accumulation of toxic proteins in the brain, which are associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
- Promoting autophagy, the process by which cells break down and recycle old or damaged components, which may help to prevent age-related diseases.
- Enhancing the immune system and reducing inflammation.
- Promoting healthy metabolism and weight management.
- Supporting healthy liver function.
- Boosting energy levels and reducing fatigue.
- Improving cognitive function and memory.
- Protecting against DNA damage and oxidative stress.
- Regulating gene expression.
- Improving sleep quality and reducing the risk of sleep disorders.
- Supporting healthy skin, hair, and nail growth.
- Enhancing overall health and well-being.