Latest news with #OxfordLongevityProject
New York Post
2 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Spermidine is the ‘Swiss army knife of longevity,' from hair growth to heart health — how to get more of it
This supplement's got spunk. Studies show that spermidine, a naturally occurring compound, can improve brain health, immunity, cardiovascular resilience and overall appearance. 'Spermidine is the Swiss army knife of longevity,' Leslie Kenny, founder of Oxford Health Span and co-founder of the Oxford Longevity Project, told The Post. And while natural sources of it include — as the name suggests — sperm, it can also be found in breastmilk as well as foods like wheatgerm, soy beans, mature cheeses, mushrooms and peas. 5 Incorporating spermidine-rich foods or supplements can keep our minds sharp, skin supple and hearts kicking. Jacob Lund – Spermidine it plays a key role in slowing aging, protecting against disease, fighting inflammation and maintaining metabolism by activating a process that gets rid of damaged cell parts and recycling them. 'It's in huge amounts in semen,' Kenny explained. 'It's in the endosperm of all seeds to ensure the survival of the next plant generation. It's made in our tissues and our gut biome for a reason, and plants are making it for a reason too.' Exercise, fasting, pregnancy or acute infections can ramp up levels in the boy — but our natural production plummets as we age. Yet longevity experts like Kenny say incorporating spermidine-rich foods and spermidine supplements can keep our minds sharp, skin supple and hearts kicking. Unsurprisingly, spermidine is a key component in biohacker Bryan Johson's daily anti-aging regimen. Offers immune support Kenny, who battled autoimmune conditions and rheumatoid arthritis in her 30s, was introduced to spermidine through researchers at Oxford University, whose work demonstrated that it could rejuvenate the immune systems of mice. 'If the immune system works, it can protect us from cancer, pathogens and an autoimmune attack. Spermidine is helpful for autoimmune patients because it's very anti-inflammatory,' she explained. 5 Unsurprisingly, spermidine is a key component in biohacker Bryan Johson's daily anti-aging regimen. Prostock-studio – Chronic inflammation is associated with diabetes, heart disease and muscle pain, so reducing it could yield several health benefits. Supplementing with spermidine could also clear toxic proteins such as amyloid-beta and tau, the accumulation of which can lead to Alzheimer's disease. Hormonal balance A 2023 study dubbed spermidine 'groundbreaking' for hormonal health and fertility, as research showed it improved egg quality in older mice. The same study showed that it can aid in hormone balancing and incontinence. In nearly all test subjects who took spermidine supplements, levels of the stress hormone cortisol dropped dramatically, and in male participants, testosterone increased by 50%. 'Spermidine is the trash man. If you aren't taking the trash out, it just accumulates, nothing functions, and that's how it is with the brain.' Leslie Kenny 'In women, progesterone, estrogen and testosterone increased, as did the hormone precursors DHEA and pregnenolone,' Kenny said. 'Some of the women actually reported that their incontinence, that urgency to go to the bathroom, significantly reduced. I think the reason why is that faster cell turnover helps the lining of the bladder.' Hair growth and keeping the gray at bay That same rapid cellular turnover directly benefits hair, skin and nails. 5 Leslie Kenny says spermidine can balance hormones. Leslie Kenney/Instagram The natural color of our hair comes from melanin. As we grow older, we make less melanin — and hence, less hair pigment. Over time, that leads to gray or white hair. Spermidine, however, keeps the hair follicle in the growth phase of the hair life cycle for longer, leading to longer locks and fewer grays. Better brain function A 2020 study found that spermidine supplementation protects the brain from neurodegeneration, cognitive decline, memory loss and motor impairment associated with aging. 'Spermidine is the trash man. If you aren't taking the trash out, it just accumulates, nothing functions, and that's how it is with the brain,' Kenny said. Heart health In a 2018 study, spermidine improved heart function in mice, leading to better health and expanded lifespan. Similar effects have been studied in humans. 'We have these cells called cardiomyocytes that govern the rhythm of the heart, and they don't replenish very easily,' said Kenny, who added that spermidine can help them stay in 'tip-top performance condition.' 5 A 2018 study revealed that spermidine improved cardiovascular function in mice, leading to improved health and expanded lifespan. Alexander Raths – Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) NAFLD is marked by excess fat in the liver of people who consume little or no alcohol. The primary cause is obesity, along with metabolic risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obstructive sleep apnea. In preclinical trials and animal studies, notes Kenny, spermidine reverses the effects of NAFLD. 'It's improving metabolic function and reducing triglycerides, and it seems to help with LDL cholesterol as well,' she said. How to incorporate spermidine The minimum effective dose of spermidine is one milligram per day, according to Kenny, a level that can be tough to reach through diet alone. 'It's hard to guarantee that you get that amount from food sources, but supplementation guarantees you're getting the right amount to help with memory and cognition. But I still want people to turn to plants if they can, because the fiber is really valuable,' she said. 5 Regarding whole plant sources, mushrooms and legumes are rich in spermidine, and to a lesser degree, spinach and broccoli. (JLco) Julia Amaral – The spermidine sold through the Oxford Longevity Project is plant-derived and naturally sourced, making it a cleaner and safer choice than synthetic options. Regarding whole plant sources, mushrooms and legumes are rich in spermidine, and to a lesser degree, spinach and broccoli. A 2016 study published in the journal Nature Medicine reported that eating aged cheese that contains spermidine was linked to a longer life span in lab mice, suggesting you don't have to choose between eating rich and living long. As far as getting spermidine from human sperm itself — if you're so inclined — Kenny notes that the levels in sperm vary, and quality is dependent on the overall health of the male in question. 'It's the fountain of youth! From a healthy man, you'd get a lot, and it would be, in my opinion, very beneficial.'
Scotsman
25-04-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Sir Muir Gray and Angela Rippon to speak at The Oxford Longevity Project's Smart Ageing Summit
The innovative Smart Ageing Summit, organised by the not-for-profit Oxford Longevity Project, will return again this summer to explore how we can age smarter and better right now, with Sir Muir Gray, author of Dr. Gray's Walking Cure and TV'S Angela Rippon amongst key speakers. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Created by The Oxford Longevity Project, a not-for-profit project that produces public service webinars around the latest scientific breakthroughs in ageing, the event at Rhodes House, Oxford University will see speakers such as: menopause expert Dr Louise Newson; new OLP board member Sir Muir Gray ( an internationally renowned authority on healthcare systems) and Clinical Oncologist Dr Wafaa Abdel-Hadi. They'll all come together to explore this year's theme: the vital link between mental health and mindset and longevity. Founded by Oxford Professors Denis Noble and Sir Christopher Ball, Oxford College doctor Dr Paul Ch'en, and Harvard MBA and Oxford-based patient advocate Leslie Kenny, the summit will take place at the prestigious Rhodes House, Oxford University (home of Rhodes Scholars and an historic Grade II listed building) on the 7 June. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This exciting event promises to include networking, engaged discussions and thought-provoking sessions on topics such as: moving at any age, the power of the placebo effect, the power of hormones and modifiable lifestyle habits that trump our genetics. Wendy Welpton and Jane Tarrant will also be leading functional movements and breathing habit breaks throughout the day. Pictured L-R: Leslie Kenny, Dr Paul Ch'en, Sir Muir Gray, Professor Denis Noble and Sir Chris Ball, all of the Oxford Longevity Project. 'We all know that connecting with our tribe and living in vibrant communities is one of the keys to longer, healthier lives, so it's fantastic to bring together such a unique group of leading experts and welcome some amazing new speakers for our third event to discuss the science of ageing in the prestigious setting of Rhodes House. Oxford Healthspan is also proud to sponsor this important event to empower the public with actionable tips to live better, right now,' says Co-Founder of the Oxford Longevity Project and CEO of Oxford Healthspan Leslie Kenny.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gen Z and millennial workers would accept lower salaries in exchange for this one thing from their employers
Money can't buy happiness—and younger generations are embracing that idea at work. Because for many, life seems too short to mindlessly climb the corporate ladder at the risk of worsening mental health. That's according to a new global study on longevity and workplace wellness, in which half of American Gen Z and Millennials—compared to just a fifth of baby boomers—say they would take a pay cut if their employer made an effort to prioritize their well-being at work. The survey also found that Gen Zers are the most unhappy with their careers. The global study, released this month by the Oxford Longevity Project and Roundglass, a wellbeing platform that helps people build healthy habits, collected data from 14,000 people in 25 countries to analyze perceptions of aging, the workplace, and well-being. 'We found that mental health is one of the top three priorities of people worldwide today,' Gurpreet Singh, founder of Roundglass, who worked on the study, said in a press release. 'Employees don't want to sacrifice their well-being for a job, and if employers don't address this issue, it's going to hurt the company's bottom line. To attract and retain talent, placing importance on employee mental health is non-negotiable.' Research has shown that companies are falling short in supporting their employees in the face of high rates of loneliness, burnout, and return-to-office mandates. A Gallup survey published last year found that less than a quarter of employees believe their companies care about their mental health and well-being, which, experts believe, could harm retention. Beyond the U.S., employees worldwide also agreed that mental health must be a top priority to keep them engaged at their jobs, the global survey found. Of those surveyed, nearly three-quarters (73 %) of people in Egypt and 71% of people in India agree that well-being is more important than salary. Workplace benefits can help showcase an employer's priorities, the respondents shared, with 67% of millennials in the U.S. endorsing physical health benefits, too. 'Boomers and Gen X are the ones who most need to prioritize their health, yet it's millennials and Gen Z who are leading the way in embracing true health span,' said Leslie Kenny, co-founder of the Oxford Longevity Project, in the press release. 'Younger generations are taking their health more seriously—not in spite of their age —but because they've watched their parents and grandparents live longer lives, often while managing chronic diseases.' It's data that workplaces might consider when it comes to attracting and retaining young employees—particularly since chronic stress can increase the risk for mental health problems and physical health conditions like heart disease. Millennials comprise over a third of the total American workforce, and the survey found that about a third of this generation considers support for mental health factors when choosing where to work. Workplace well-being experts have previously told Fortune that, alongside inclusive health benefits, employers must foster a collaborative culture and community that empowers workers to speak up, ask questions, and feel engaged—and that culture is, in fact, everything. It's often the simple moments of support and communication that make people feel purposeful and engaged. 'Benefits chosen for their buzz rarely address what employees truly need or want,' Gene Hammett, a leadership coach and host of the Growth Think Tank podcast, previously told Fortune. 'Without a supportive workplace culture and strong leadership, even the best perks feel hollow and performative.' For more on workplace well-being: Workplace well-being is at an all-time low. Here are 5 ways employers can actually help Want to boost employee morale and productivity? Ramp up volunteering How to quiet the noise in your head, and feel happier at work and in life This story was originally featured on
