Research Links Spermidine Intake to Cognitive Performance in Older Adults
Recent research indicates that consuming more spermidine could lead to better cognitive performance in older adults. This potential benefit appears to be particularly significant for men, those who are slightly overweight, and individuals with conditions like hypertension or high cholesterol. The study was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
Spermidine is a compound that occurs naturally in all living cells and plays a critical role in cellular growth and maintenance, as well as helping to eliminate damaged cellular components through a process called autophagy. It’s associated with cellular health and has been linked to anti-aging and heart health in some studies. Unfortunately, spermidine levels tend to decrease as we age, which might lead to cellular issues.
Good sources of spermidine include aged cheese, soy products (especially natto), mushrooms, whole grains, legumes, green peas, and certain fruits like grapefruit. Wheat germ and some fermented items are also rich in spermidine. Additionally, it’s available as a dietary supplement. Previous studies have hinted that higher spermidine consumption could lower cardiovascular disease risk and boost cognitive function, though there are still few human clinical trials on the topic.
Yifan Ma and her team aimed to explore how dietary spermidine relates to cognitive performance among older adults using data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2014.
NHANES, run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, uses a representative sample to analyze the health and nutritional status of the U.S. population. It involves interviews, physical examinations, and dietary assessments, creating a comprehensive dataset for public health research and policy.
For this analysis, participants aged 60 and above who completed cognitive tests during the 2011-2014 cycle were included. The final group consisted of 2,674 participants, 1,361 of whom were women. These individuals reported their food and drink intake over the previous day using two 24-hour recall interviews and filled out a survey regarding dietary supplements. This data helped estimate their spermidine intake, and cognitive abilities were evaluated through four standardized tests.
The findings highlighted that those in the top quartile for spermidine consumption (the highest 25%) performed better on cognitive tests compared to those with lower intakes. Further analysis showed that the link between spermidine and cognitive performance was particularly robust among men, non-Hispanic Whites, those with a body mass index in the 25-30 range, and individuals with elevated blood pressure or lipid levels.
The authors noted, “This study provides evidence supporting the association between higher dietary spermidine intake and better cognitive performance in older adults. The protective effect was notably stronger in specific groups, particularly men, non-Hispanic Whites, and individuals with certain chronic conditions. These results imply that spermidine could be an important component of dietary strategies targeting cognitive health in older adults and those with ongoing health issues.”
This research adds to the knowledge surrounding spermidine’s health impacts. However, it’s important to recognize that the study design can’t definitively establish causation. It’s possible that individuals with better cognitive abilities are simply more likely to follow healthier diets.
The paper titled “Association between dietary spermidine intake and cognitive performance in older adults: The U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–2014” was authored by Yifan Ma and several colleagues.
