Wheat Germ Extract · Polyamine · SPD
Triggers autophagy — the cellular cleanup process that declines with age.
FDA
Research Only
WADA
Not Listed
HALF-LIFE
~30 minutes (rapidly metabolized; effects via autophagy induction)
ROUTE
Oral
SCHEDULE
Daily
In Plain English
Triggers autophagy — the cellular cleanup process that declines with age.
Status & Legality
What do these mean?Autophagy induction
Mitochondrial quality control
Cardiovascular protection
Neuroprotection
Spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine found in highest concentration in wheat germ, soybeans, and aged cheese. It is the most potent nutritional inducer of autophagy — the cellular self-cleaning process where damaged organelles and misfolded proteins are recycled. Intracellular polyamine levels decline with age, correlating with reduced autophagy and increased cellular debris accumulation. Supplemental spermidine extends lifespan in yeast, flies, worms, and mice. Human observational data shows dietary spermidine inversely correlated with cardiovascular mortality.
GI discomfort at high doses
Mild nausea initially
Generally very well tolerated at standard doses
No significant adverse effects reported in human studies
Megadosing — spermidine is effective at 1–5 mg/day; high doses don't improve autophagy and cause GI side effects
Not timing during fasting windows — fasting potentiates autophagy; spermidine works synergistically with the fasted state rather than with a large meal
Confusing wheat germ extract serving sizes with spermidine content — 400 mg wheat germ extract ≈ 1 mg spermidine; read concentrations carefully on labels
mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin) — both induce autophagy via complementary pathways; potentially additive; limited human combination data
Alcohol — interferes with polyamine metabolism and reduces spermidine's autophagy-inducing effects
Polyamine-lowering medications — may reduce spermidine levels or compete with its effects if co-administered
Spermidine is the most potent nutritional inducer of autophagy — the cellular self-cleaning process that declines with age and drives many aspects of biological aging. The effective doses are small (1–5 mg/day) because spermidine works at a signaling level. Time it during your eating window if you practice intermittent fasting; the combined autophagy induction is significantly greater than either approach alone.
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Stats
Sources & Studies
Madeo F. et al., Science, 2018