--- title: "Higher spermidine intake is linked to lower mortality: a…" description: "Higher dietary intake of spermidine is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in humans." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sperm_mort.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sperm_mort.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sperm_mort.html" type: "study" study_key: "sperm_mort" journal: "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" year: 2018 pmid: "29955838" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Higher spermidine intake is linked to lower mortality: a prospective population-based study [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Higher spermidine intake is linked to lower mortality: a… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sperm_mort.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/sperm_mort ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition | | Year | 2018 | | PMID | [29955838](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29955838/) | | DOI | — | | Study key | sperm_mort | ## Takeaway Higher dietary intake of spermidine is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in humans. ## The question Is there an association between dietary spermidine intake and mortality in humans? ## Hypothesis Spermidine administration is linked to increased survival in several animal models, suggesting a potential association between dietary spermidine content and mortality in humans. ## Methods This prospective community-based cohort study included 829 participants aged 45-84 years, with diet assessed by repeated dietitian-administered food-frequency questionnaires in 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010. All-cause mortality was tracked between 1995 and 2015, during which 341 deaths occurred. The association was also independently validated in the Salzburg Atherosclerosis Prevention Program in Subjects at High Individual Risk (SAPHIR) Study. ## Results All-cause mortality (deaths per 1000 person-years) decreased across thirds of increasing spermidine intake from 40.5 to 23.7 and 15.1. The age-, sex-, and caloric intake-adjusted 20-year cumulative mortality incidence was 0.48, 0.41, and 0.38 for the lowest, middle, and highest thirds of spermidine intake, respectively. The age-, sex-, and caloric ratio-adjusted HR for all-cause death per 1-SD higher spermidine intake was 0.74, and 0.76 after further adjustments. The difference in mortality risk between the top and bottom third of spermidine intakes was similar to that associated with a 5.7-year younger age. ## Conclusion Higher spermidine intake is linked to lower all-cause mortality in humans, providing epidemiologic support for the concept that spermidine-rich nutrition is associated with increased survival. ## Limitations The study design is observational, which means it can show correlation but not causation. While adjustments were made for various factors, unmeasured confounding cannot be entirely ruled out. ## Verbatim from the abstract > The difference in mortality risk between the highest and lowest spermidine intake was statistically comparable to being 5.7 years younger. ## All-Cause Mortality Rate by Spermidine Intake Third | Measure | Deaths per 1000 person-years | | --- | --- | | Lowest Third | 40.5 | | Middle Third | 23.7 | | Highest Third | 15.1 | *All-cause mortality (deaths per 1000 person-years) decreased with increasing spermidine intake.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Spermidine (Wheat-Germ Extract) | Moderate evidence | [Spermidine (Wheat-Germ Extract)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/7.md) | ## Reference 1. **Higher spermidine intake is linked to lower mortality: a prospective population-based study** The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2018 · [PMID 29955838](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29955838/) > The difference in mortality risk between the highest and lowest spermidine intake was statistically comparable to being 5.7 years younger. ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sperm_mort.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sperm_mort.html","name":"Higher spermidine intake is linked to lower mortality: a prospective population-based study","description":"Higher dietary intake of spermidine is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in humans.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sperm_mort.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Higher spermidine intake is linked to lower mortality: a…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sperm_mort.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sperm_mort.html#study","name":"Higher spermidine intake is linked to lower mortality: a prospective population-based study","headline":"Higher spermidine intake is linked to lower mortality: a prospective population-based study","datePublished":"2018","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"},"identifier":"PMID:29955838","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29955838/","abstract":"Higher dietary intake of spermidine is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in humans."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Spermidine (Wheat-Germ Extract)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/7.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Induction of autophagy by spermidine promotes longevity.](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/spermidine_autophagy.md) - [Cardioprotection and lifespan extension by the natural polyamine spermidine.](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/spermidine_cardio.md) - [Effects of Spermidine Supplementation on Cognition and Biomarkers in Older Adults With…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x3.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).