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How Do Polyamines From Gut Bacteria Improve Longevity? Study Reveals Cellular Recycling Mechanism

Q: How exactly does Cellitas work at the cellular level?

Cellitas works by increasing autophagy, your body's natural cellular recycling process that boosts energy levels and allows for faster cell renewal. Our patent-pending formula combines two polyamines (spermidine and spermine) and one amino acid (arginine) with BB12™ probiotic to enhance this process. Autophagy removes damaged cellular components and recycles them into building blocks that can be used for fuel or cell duplication, maintaining cellular integrity and function throughout life.

Q: What makes your formula different from other spermidine supplements?

Unlike standard spermidine supplements, Cellitas features a patent-pending combination of two polyamines, an amino acid, a medium chain triglyceride (MCT), plus the BB12™ probiotic. This unique formulation creates a synergistic effect that extends the release of spermidine available for cellular absorption. This helps maintain higher levels of autophagy throughout the day. Our approach activates multiple cellular pathways simultaneously rather than focusing on a single mechanism.

Q: How soon might I notice results from taking Cellitas?

While cellular renewal begins immediately, most people report noticeable improvements in energy and vitality within 2-4 weeks of consistent use. Since Cellitas works at the fundamental cellular level, benefits accumulate over time until autophagy reaches a higher plateau.

Q: Are there any dietary recommendations to maximize benefits?

Cellitas works effectively on its own, but its benefits can be complemented by a healthy diet, regular exercise, quality sleep, and stress management. Notice that a normal western diet will provide you with 6-16mg of spermidine per day. We recommend taking Cellitas daily, preferably in the morning with or without food, as part of your overall wellness routine.

Q: Is Cellitas suitable for all adults regardless of age?

Cellitas is designed primarily for adults 45+ who are seeking to maintain their vitality and health as they age. That said, the cellular processes Cellitas supports are beneficial for adults of all ages. As with any supplement, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before beginning, especially if you have existing health conditions.

Q: Can Cellitas be taken with other supplements or medications?

Cellitas is designed with high-quality, natural ingredients that generally work well alongside other supplements. As all polyamines are an integral part of any cell, there should not be any abnormal interaction with other drugs and supplements. However, as with any supplement, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before adding Cellitas to your regimen, especially if you're taking prescription medications. Your healthcare provider can help determine if there are any specific interactions relevant to your individual health situation.

Q: How do I take Cellitas?

Cellitas™ comes in convenient daily sachets that can be mixed with water or your favorite beverage. Simply tear open one packet each morning and stir the contents into at least 8oz of liquid. The premium powder formula dissolves easily and has a mild, pleasant taste. Each box contains a full 30-day supply. We recommend not using hot beverages, as high temperatures could inhibit or destroy the probiotic.

Q: Is Cellitas safe to take long-term?

Yes. Our clinical trials showed no serious adverse events or reactions. Spermidine is naturally found in foods like mushrooms, mature cheeses, and whole grains, making it a natural part of the human diet. It also part of any of our cells. Unlike other longevity supplements, Cellitas™ contains ingredients that work with your body's natural processes. As with any supplement, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before beginning, particularly if you have existing health conditions.

Q: How does Cellitas compare to other longevity supplements like NAD+ boosters?

You will pay the shipping rate you paid for at checkout. We do not charge additional shipping for personalized items. However, if other item(s) were included in your cart, we will try to ship them at the same time as your personalized item(s). If there will be a long delay, we will likely ship your non-personalized items first. If you have any questions about shipping, please contact customer support.

Q: How can I check the status of my order?

Unlike NAD+ supplements (such as NMN or NR) that have shown limited absorption and negligible benefits in human studies, Cellitas™ has been clinically shown to increase autophagy with no serious adverse events. Independent research has not validated these benefits at the cellular levels for NAD+ precursors in healthy individuals. Our clinical trial demonstrated a significant improvement in a key autophagy marker (Beclin-1) that plays a key role in cellular health.

Dec 09, 2025

What if the secret to living fully at 80, 90, and even 100 isn't fighting aging but unleashing what your cells already know how to do?

Japanese researchers have discovered that in pre-clinical models of aging, mice lived significantly longer and maintained better memory when their gut bacteria produced more polyamines, compounds that trigger cellular cleanup and recycling.

The groundbreaking study, published in Nature’s Scientific Reports, shows how a simple combination of the amino acid arginine and a probiotic extended lifespan by enhancing the body's natural cellular maintenance system.

What Are Polyamines and Why Do Their Levels Decline?

Polyamines—specifically spermidine, spermine, and putrescine—are naturally occurring compounds that trigger autophagy, your body's cellular recycling process. According to pre-clinical research published in Scientific Reports, polyamine concentrations in somatic tissues decrease with increasing age, starting around age 40 in humans.

This decline contributes to cellular dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and age-related memory impairment. The study found that polyamines have strong anti-inflammatory functions and are essential for maintaining intestinal mucosal barrier functions, including the secretion of mucous and secretory IgA from intestinal epithelial cells.

Can Gut Bacteria Produce Anti-Aging Compounds From Arginine?

Intestinal bacteria can convert dietary arginine into polyamines that extend lifespan. The researchers proved this using isotope-labeled arginine, showing that 44% of colonic putrescine came directly from bacterial metabolism, not from host cells. When mice received antibiotics before arginine administration, putrescine production completely stopped, confirming that gut bacteria, not the mice's own cells, produced these compounds.

The study tested multiple bacterial strains and found that E. coli increased putrescine concentration more than 7-fold when given arginine. This bacterial conversion increased blood spermidine levels by approximately 25% within 4-8 hours of oral administration.

What Results Did the Arginine and LKM512 Probiotic Combination Achieve?

For those who want to see the actual numbers behind the cellular renaissance, here's what the data revealed. Fair warning: this gets technical, but the results are worth wading through.

Mice receiving both arginine and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LKM512 showed the strongest benefits compared to either treatment alone:

Longevity results: Male mice lived significantly longer (p < 0.01) compared to controls. Female mice also showed increased survival until the 12-month treatment mark.
Memory performance: At 20 months old, treated mice spent significantly more time in the correct quadrant during Morris water maze tests compared to controls, indicating protection from age-induced memory impairment.
Inflammation markers: The combination treatment produced the lowest levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, MIP-2 (p < 0.05), and TNF-α (p = 0.07) compared to controls.
Cellular protection: Treated mice showed higher levels of senescence marker protein-30 (SMP-30) in liver tissue, indicating better protection against oxidative stress during aging.

How Does The Research Apply to Humans?

Despite differences in polyamine pathways between mice and humans, the core mechanisms apply: gut bacteria convert arginine to polyamine, and autophagy declines with age in both species.

The effective mouse dose of 4.4 mg/kg body weight arginine translates to reasonable human supplementation levels, too. The researchers noted this makes their approach "suitable for clinical use" compared to other interventions.

What Is Cellitas and How Does It Use This Science?

Cellitas applies the study's three-part strategy in a human supplement formula:

The polyamines: Cellitas combines spermidine (primary autophagy trigger), spermine (the next step in the polyamine pathway, which can be back-converted to spermidine), and arginine (an amino acid that gut bacteria convert to putrescine, a precursor for spermidine synthesis).
BB-12™ probiotic enhancement: Similar to the study's LKM512 strain, BB-12™ is a clinically validated Bifidobacterium that enhances polyamine production and absorption. With over 200 published studies, BB-12™ optimizes the gut environment for polyamine synthesis.
Clinical validation: In human trials, our patent-pending formulation increased autophagy biomarkers by 32% over six months. Seventy-five percent of participants reported positive effects, with those having poorer diets showing the most improvement.

What Benefits Can You Expect From Supporting Cellular Autophagy?

Based on both the mouse research and Cellitas human trials, polyamine supplementation supports:

Immune function: The study showed polyamines maintain intestinal barriers and reduce inflammatory cytokines. Spermidine supplement participants reported fewer colds and respiratory infections, with 91% noting improved immune resilience in qualitative interviews.
Cognitive support: The mouse study identified 14 brain metabolites that differed in treated animals, including higher acylcarnitines that support neurotransmission and brain energy metabolism.
Physical markers: People using a spermidine supplement reported a striking difference in their nail growth and strength. Reduced joint stiffness, consistent with the anti-inflammatory effects shown in the mouse research, was also notable.
Sustained energy: By supporting cellular recycling and reducing inflammation, polyamine supplementation helps cells produce energy more efficiently without the cellular "clutter" that accumulates with age.

Is Polyamine Supplementation Safe for Long-Term Use?

The study administered treatments for up to 12 months with no adverse effects. Mice maintained normal body weight and food intake throughout.

The research confirms that supporting your body's natural polyamine production through the gut-cell connection represents a biologically sound approach to maintaining cellular efficiency without requiring extreme fasting or intense exercise.

How Cellitas Translates This Research Into Daily Support

Cellitas makes this science practical with the same three-component approach: polyamines (spermidine and spermine), arginine for bacterial conversion, and BB-12™ probiotic to optimize production. The research proves that supporting polyamine production through your gut is a measurable way to help your cells maintain themselves as you age.

Your cells know what to do. They just need the right support to keep doing it.

Learn more about supporting your cellular health at Cellitas.

Blog Team