Spermidine is a naturally occurring organic compound, called a polyamine, that is found in the living tissues of our bodies and is closely related to cell growth. The amount of spermidine in the organism temporarily increases when the metabolism is accelerated, like during exercise.
Spermidine triggers and facilitates autophagy. Autophagy is the molecular process of breaking down damaged or unusable cell components to be recycled as new energy. The concentration of the body's own spermidine also decreases with age. An accumulation of non-effective or toxic cell components are linked to age-related diseases in humans. By recycling these components, cells are able to self-regulate and return to optimal functioning.