Rumor: Semen is actually an elixir of immortality. Austrian scientists discovered that spermidine in human semen possesses anti-aging properties that can extend lifespan. After ingesting this compound, animals' lifespans were significantly prolonged!
Truth: This "legendary research" by Austrian scientists is indeed real.The study, titled "Induction of autophagy by spermidine promotes longevity," was published in the October 2009 issue of Nature Cell Biology [1]. Researchers focused on spermidine's specific effects on aging and lifespan in organisms.They discovered that when spermidine was added to culture medium or diet, yeast in the spermidine group lived four times longer than the control group. The lifespan of fruit flies in the spermidine group was extended by 30% compared to controls. Nematode lifespan increased by 15%. However, the study did not investigate lifespan changes in mice treated with spermidine.
In fact, spermidine can trigger autophagy in cells. Autophagy refers to the mechanism where lysosomes form within cells to digest, recycle, and reuse cellular components or even entire cells. The scientific community strongly suspects that the disintegration of entire cells via autophagy constitutes a form of programmed cell death.In summary, autophagy is crucial for maintaining the balance between cell growth and regeneration. Previous studies indicate that spermidine concentrations within cells gradually decline as cells age. However, the causal relationship between these two phenomena remains unestablished. While this research is intriguing and insightful, it remains highly preliminary. The findings suggest that as organisms become more complex, the efficacy of direct spermidine supplementation diminishes.Furthermore, critical mouse lifespan data most relevant to humans remains lacking. Conclusion: Myth debunked. While spermidine was indeed first isolated from semen, it is actually a substance widely present throughout living organisms. Using "semen" as a marketing hook is purely clickbait. This research should not be interpreted as suggesting "consuming semen extends lifespan."