Trying spermidine for autophagy – any tips on timing with workouts?

Question

I’ve been taking spermidine powder at about 2 mg each morning with my coffee for the past three weeks. I’m a retired firefighter who now does some part‑time physical therapy work, so i’m often on my feet and doing light strength sessions. I’ve noticed that my usual afternoon stiffness after a clinic day seems a bit lighter, and i recover faster from my own bodyweight circuits, though i know that could just be placebo or the extra hydration i’ve been doing. I’m curious if others find it better to take spermidine on an empty stomach or with a meal, and whether timing it closer to a workout changes anything. I’ve read that it mimics calorie restriction signaling, so i wonder if taking it after a fasted walk might boost the autophagy signal more. Any personal experiences or things you’ve watched for would be appreciated. Thanks for the help.

grinder265 · Accepted Answer

Ngl I’ve done the same – 2 mg with breakfast on lift days and fasted on rest days – and soreness felt about the same either way. I’ve been logging fasting glucose and ketones just to see if anything shifts, but nothing obvious yet. Have you tried splitting the dose around the workout?

megan302 · Answer

Thanks for the input. I have not been tracking glucose or ketones i do not actually own a meter for that, but i will look into it. It is interesting that you did not feel a difference between taking it with breakfast or fasted. I think i will try the fasted approach on my off days to see if i notice anything. Do you think the timing matters more for the metabolic side of things than the recovery side?

fasted_scientist · Answer

Ngl I’ve been playing with spermidine timing too. I take 2 mg with breakfast on days I lift, and on rest days I’ve tried it fasted first thing. Honestly I didn’t notice a clear difference in soreness or recovery between the two – any benefit felt pretty subtle and could just be down to sleeping a bit better or drinking more water. If you’re curious about the autophagy angle, the human data are still pretty thin; most of the signalling stuff comes from yeast or mice studies. Have you tracked any markers like fasting glucose or ketone levels to see if there’s a metabolic shift? Just a thought.

megan302 · Answer

Thanks for the input. I have not tried splitting the dose yet, i just stick to that one morning dose with my coffee. Since you are tracking glucose and ketones, i wonder if you noticed any dip in energy during your lifts when you take it fasted. I am still pretty new to this and mostly just trying to keep the joint stiffness down during my clinic shifts. I might try the fasted approach on my walk days to see if it feels different.

Trying spermidine for autophagy – any tips on timing with workouts?

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