Saylor Storm

Rabbit Hole #18 – Spermidine

Ever heard of spermidine? The eyebrow-raising name finds its roots from having been originally isolated from semen. It is a polyamine compound that plays an important role in the metabolism of cells. What does this mean for you?

Spermidine is predicted to be the longevity supplement of 2022, and is quickly gaining attention. Taken regularly, the supplement can have a significant impact on health and lifespan. By mimicking the effects that caloric restriction (fasting) has on cells in the body, it induces autophagy, the process of cellular renewal known to have antiaging benefits. As we age, our spermidine levels as well as our rate of autophagy decline, leaving cells more exposed to damage from aging.

Autophagy benefits include:

– Healthy aging

– Preserves telomere length

– Weight management

– Lowered inflammation

– Better brain health

– Prevents memory loss

– Reduced risk of heart disease

– Better blood sugar control

– Lowered risk of cancer (especially liver)

– Improves vaccine protection

– Inhibits 5 of the 9 hallmarks of aging

If you’re not inclined to fast, and don’t want to take a spermidine supplement, you can eat these spermidine containing foods:

– Mushrooms (especially shitake)

– Green peppers

– Wheat germ

– Cauliflower

– Broccoli

– Soybean products

– Green peas

– Pears

– Chicken

– Potato

– Lentils

– Aged cheese

– Coffee

– Green tea

– Tumeric

– Garlic

– Ginger

– Ceylon cinnamon

– Pomegranate

– Elderberries

Think Mediterranean diet.

Maintaining our spermidine levels as we age by eating foods high in spermidine, fasting, or taking supplements should be a priority for longevity. The supplements have no known side effects.

To learn more about spermidine and autophagy, check out the video below by Dr. Brad Stanfield:

Black seed oil is a nootropic extracted from the seed of the Nigella Sativa plant. The herb is native Mediterranean and Asian regions and the active compound is thymoquinone. Black seed oil has been cultivated for over 3,000 years and has numerous uses.

Black seed oil benefits include:

• Improves cardiovascular health
• Fights cancer
• Prevents diabetes
• Lowers inflammation
• Improves infertility (improves sperm count)
• Lowers blood pressure
• Aids in weight loss
• Improves liver health
• Improves rheumatoid arthritis
• Decreases nasal inflammation
• Lowers cholesterol
• Helps with indigestion
• Lessens anxiety
• Improves cognitive function
• Help with mental illness
• Aids in opioid dependence withdrawal

Black seed oil also has many benefits for skin and hair when used topically as well as internally. The recommended dose for internal use is 1-3 teaspoons per day and is available in capsule form for those who can’t tolerate its unique flavor.

This is the one I recommend: https://amzn.to/3fajONv

To learn more about Black Seed oil, watch the video below by NootropicExpert:

Ganoderma lucidem (also known as reishi, the king of mushrooms, and the mushroom of immortality) is a fungus mostly from Hemlock trees that dates back as far as 2,000 years in Asia for its medicinal uses.

Ganoderma boasts an impressive list of health benefits that include:

• Boosting the immune system
• Fighting infections
• Fighting cancer cells
• Reducing stress
• Reducing high blood pressure
• Reducing cholesterol
• Reducing cardiovascular disease
• Improving liver function
• Improving kidney function
• Improving respiratory function
• Fighting viral infections
• Improving HIV/AIDS symptoms
• Reducing pain during shingles outbreaks
• Building strength
• Building stamina
• Fighting fatigue
• Improving gut health
• Supporting sleep cycles
• Supporting brain health
• Fighting allergies

Reishi can be purchased in many forms such as tea, tinctures, capsules, coffee, hot cocoa, beauty products and energy bars. Due to its bitter taste, eating the mushroom directly is not recommended but is pleasant tasting in the coffee and hot cocoa forms.

These are my personal favorite forms of reishi:

https://amzn.to/35lOS8j

https://amzn.to/3ma0lyF

(Affiliate links)

To learn more about the king of mushrooms, check out the video below by Learn Your Land:

The Tabata method is a form of HIIT (high intensity interval training) exercise training developed by Japanese scientist, Dr. Izumi Tabata, at the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Tokyo.

In the 1990’s Dr. Tabata conducted research on 2 groups of athletes. The first group was asked to exercise moderately for 1 hour a day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks. The second group was instructed to exercise for 4 minutes a day (20 seconds at high intensity with 10 seconds of rest for 8 rounds), 4 days a week, for 6 weeks.

At the end of the study Tabata and his team found that the first group had improved their cardiovascular capacity but not their anaerobic fitness. The second group had improved their cardiovascular system more than the first group (by 14%) plus they had increased their anaerobic fitness by 28%.

Benefits of Tabata training include:

• Time saver
• Fat burner
• Increased metabolism long after exercise
• Builds muscle (unlike endurance exercise which can tear muscle down)
• No equipment needed
• Burns 13 calories per minute

Cons of Tabata training include:

• Not for beginners
• Uncomfortable due to intensity
• High impact – risk of injury
• Monotonous

Tabata training can be done in a class or at home with no special equipment. Training can incorporate a wide range of exercises from pushups, squats, and, burpess to kettlebell swings, single barbell exercises, and cycling. A typical workout would include 4 sets of exercises done at 4 minutes for each set. For example; 1 set of pushups for 4 minutes (20 seconds on with a 10 second rest), 1 set of squats for 4 minutes, 1 set of burpees for 4 minutes, and 1 set of mountain climbers for 4 minutes. The total workout time is under 20 minutes and should not be repeated more than twice a week.

There are numerous Tabata videos on YouTube with specific Tabata music for timing and inspiration such as the one below:

Derma rolling, also known as micro needling, was first used by German dermatologist, Ernst Kromayer, to treat scars, birthmarks and hyperpigmentation. Today micro needling can easily be done at home or in the dermatologist’s office.

Derma rolling benefits include:

  -Reduces scars

  -Reduces wrinkles

  -Reduces stretch marks

  -Increases skin thickness

  -Enhances product absorption

  -Reduces acne scarring

  -Reduces skin discoloration

  -Improves hair growth

  -Promotes collagen production

  -Improves skin elasticity

It is best to start with a small (.25mm) needle and slowly work your way up to .5mm, 1mm and 1.5mm size. Anything over 1.5mm should be done in a doctor’s office. If your skin is sensitive you can prepare your skin with lidocaine cream prior to rolling. Make sure your face and hands are washed, and the roller is disinfected with alcohol.

The .25mm roller can be used every other day; the .5mm 1-3 times per week, the 1mm every 10-14 days, and the 1.5mm every 3-4 weeks. After treatment the skin will readily absorb any skin care product. Vitamin C serums, niacinamide creams, epidermal growth factors and hyaluronic acid are the most recommended after treatment products.

https://amzn.to/35Ma894 Here is an affiliate link to my favorite .5mm roller by Koi Beauty.

To learn how to derma roll, watch this short demonstration video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWTQ5_vG8zY