Anti-Aging through nutrition – Spermidine makes it possible!

Anti-Aging through nutrition – Spermidine makes it possible!

What is spermidine?

Since this substance was first discovered in male seminal fluid in 1878, it was given the name spermidine. However, nowadays it is known that this polyamine is present in all living organisms and body cells. This natural substance is not only produced by our cells, but we also absorb it to a large extent through our diet.

Spermidine in food

Spermidine is a secondary plant substance found in a variety of foods – for example, legumes, wheat, mushrooms, cauliflower, aged cheese, or mangoes. Spermidine is formed during the germination process, so sprouts such as germinated wheat, buckwheat sprouts, and soybean sprouts are particularly good sources of it.

Spermidine food sources

Health promoting effects

Spermidine is involved in the production of nucleic acids and proteins, making it important for cell growth and tissue regeneration. In addition, spermidine can trigger and accelerate autophagy. This process is used for cellular “cleaning” and serves to keep the cells healthy and resistant. In the process, damaged and old cellular parts are broken down and disposed of, and the building blocks are recycled. This promotes cellular metabolism and self-healing, and higher levels of spermidine can counteract the cellular aging process.

Since the body’s production of spermidine decreases with age, it is important to consume spermidine through diet, or supplements if there is an increased need. Studies have shown that spermidine intake correlates with improved cognitive performance and has neuroprotective effects. Spermidine activates cell-protective processes and even has a life-prolonging effect.

For this purpose, at least 6 mg of spermidine per day should be consumed in the diet. Already 80 to 100g of germinated buckwheat are enough to reach the daily recommendation.

Autophagy by Elena Tomeva

 

 

Sprouted buckwheat at home

Buckwheat sprouts are not only an excellent source of spermidine, but you can grow them quickly and easily at home. All you need is buckwheat, water, a sieve, and a pot or a bowl. To prepare this superfood, soak a cup of buckwheat with two cups of water in a pot overnight. On the next day, strain the buckwheat, pour away the water and leave the buckwheat in the strainer over an empty pot/bowl so the air can circulate underneath. On day 2, the buckwheat in the sieve should be briefly “washed off”, this serves to add moisture to the sprouts. The buckwheat begins to germinate already on day 2. A total of 3 to 5 days is enough for sufficient spermidine to form (while the phytate content is significantly reduced). 
You can find a video on how to grow buckwheat sprouts at home and how to make a healthy breakfast out of them on our Instagram page.

Home sprouted buckwheat to the test

We had our germinated buckwheat sprouts tested in a laboratory for spermidine content. The most concentrated food supplement currently available – Tecsperm was used as a control. The results show that already 100g of sprouted buckwheat (3 days) contains the daily recommendation of 6mg of spermidine.

Test your biological age now with our Healthy Aging Panel! In addition to your telomere length, you will learn more about your epigenetic markers of inflammation and aging and get tips on how you can even improve your biological age.

Is your age just a number? Or rather two?

Is your age just a number? Or rather two?

Counting from the time we were born: 1 day, 1 month, 3 years, 11 years, 25 years, 36 years… old. Our calendar or chronological age is just a number over which we have no control. Many people feel older or younger than their chronological age, but how old are we? How old does our body and cells “feel”?

Life cycle by rambleron from vecteezy.com
Chronological vs biological age

Aging is a natural process, that is regulated by several factors. Not only genetics plays an important role but also external factors such as diet, habits and environmental factors can lead to an accelerated or slowed down aging. Consequently, your biological age can differ from your chronological age. This difference is decisive for life quality and life span. The biological age is a better indicator how vital and fit we actually are and can predict the risk for age related diseases more accurately.

But how can the biological age actually be measured?

A good indication for our biological age is the telomere length. Telomeres are repetitive sequences located on the ends of the chromosomes and have protective effect for the DNA. Think of telomeres as the hard plastic at the end of your shoelaces that keeps them from fraying. The telomeres become shorter with each cell division until the cell can no longer divide and stops functioning. However, this normal physiological process of aging is strongly influenced by our lifestyle and studies have shown that phytochemicals can slow down telomere shortening.

Cell and chromosome structure by Graphics RF from vecteezy.com

 

However, there are further aging mechanisms, that can not only be explained by telomere length but be epigenetically regulated. The epigenetic age includes additional aspects of the aging process and should be considered along with telomere length if the biological age is determined. The methylation of certain locations on our DNA provides information about cellular modifications and reflects our lifestyle and therefore biological aging processes.

In contrast to the chronological age, you can influence your biological age and even decrease it to rejuvenate your body. Generally accepted: healthy diet, more physical activity, less stress, no smoking and enough sleep.

DNA science by khan.zein554159 from vecteezy.com

Test your biological age now with our Healthy Aging Panel! In addition to your telomere length, you will learn more about your epigenetic markers of inflammation and aging and get tips on how you can even improve your biological age.