(1) Background: Spermidine is a biogenic polyamine that plays a crucial role in mammalian metabolism. As spermidine levels decline with age, spermidine supplementation is suggested to prevent or delay age-related diseases. However, valid pharmacokinetic data regarding spermidine remains lacking. Therefore, for the first time, the present study investigated the pharmacokinetics of oral spermidine supplementation. (2) Methods: This study was designed as a randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blinded, two-armed crossover trial with two 5-day intervention phases separated by a washout phase of 9 days. In 12 healthy volunteers, 15 mg/d of spermidine was administered orally, and blood and saliva samples were taken. Spermidine, spermine, and putrescine were quantified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The plasma metabolome was investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics. (3) Results: Compared with a placebo, spermidine supplementation significantly increased spermine levels in the plasma, but it did not affect spermidine or putrescine levels. No effect on salivary polyamine concentrations was observed. (4) Conclusions: This study’s results suggest that dietary spermidine is presystemically converted into spermine, which then enters systemic circulation. Presumably, the in vitro and clinical effects of spermidine are at least in part attributable to its metabolite, spermine. It is rather unlikely that spermidine supplements with doses <15 mg/d exert any short-term effects.

Choline is an essential nutrient that is involved in various developmental processes during pregnancy. While the general adequate choline intake (AI) for adults has been set at 400 mg/day by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), an AI of 480 mg/day has been derived for pregnant women. To date, the choline intake of pregnant women in Germany has not been investigated yet. Therefore, in this survey, the total choline intake from dietary and supplementary sources in pregnant women was estimated using an online questionnaire. A total of 516 pregnant women participated in the survey, of which 283 met the inclusion criteria (13 to 41 weeks of gestational age, 19–45 years). 224 (79%) of the participants followed an omnivorous diet, 59 (21%) were vegetarian or vegan. Median choline intake was 260.4 (±141.4) mg/day, and only 19 women (7%) achieved the adequate choline intake. The median choline intake of omnivores was significantly higher than that of vegetarians/vegans (269.5 ± 141.5 mg/day vs. 205.2 ± 101.2 mg/day; p < 0.0001). 5% (13/283) of pregnant women took choline-containing dietary supplements. In these women, dietary supplements provided 19% of the total choline intake. Due to the importance of choline for the developmental processes during pregnancy, the study results prove the urgent need for an improved choline supply for pregnant women.

Background: Migraine is a headache disorder with the highest socioeconomic burden. The aim of this study was to deliver the first proof-of-concept data of the potential role of an individual low-glycemic diet provided by a novel digital health application in the prophylaxis of migraine. Methods: We analyzed data from a retrospective survey of individuals who participated in a digital nutrition program that provides dietary recommendations based on the individual analysis of continuous glucose measurement from an up to 14-day test phase. A total of 84 individuals completed the retrospective digital survey. The endpoints were changes in the number of migraine days, average duration of attacks, average pain severity, frequency of intake of pain medication, absenteeism, and presenteeism before and after program participation. Results: The intraindividual comparisons of the endpoints before and after program participation revealed decreases in migraine frequency and other patient-relevant migraine parameters. Moreover, patients with a baseline migraine frequency of two and more migraine days per month and adherence to the dietary recommendations (n = 40) showed a mean reduction in migraine days by 33% with a 50%-responder rate of 38%. Conclusions: The data provides emerging evidence that an individualized low-glycemic diet based on continuous glucose measurement could be a promising approach for a diet-based, non-pharmacological migraine prophylaxis. However, future research is required to confirm the implied effectiveness.

Introduction: Impaired glucose homeostasis is a significant risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases, whereas the efficacy of available standard therapies is limited, mainly because of poor adherence. This post-marketing study assessed the glucose-lowering potential of a synbiotic-based formulation.Methods: One hundred ninety-two participants were enrolled in a digital nutrition program with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and received a study product comprising Bacillus subtilis DSM 32315 and L-alanyl-L-glutamine. Participants underwent a first sensor phase without supplementation, followed by a 14-day supplementation phase without sensor, and completed by a second sensor phase while continuing supplementation. Fasting glucose levels were determined before and after supplementation by CGM. In addition, the postprandial glycemic response to an oral glucose challenge, body weight, HbA1c concentrations, and BMI was analyzed. Subgroup analyses of subjects with elevated glucose and HbA1c levels vs. normoglycemic subjects were performed.Results: Supplementation with the study product resulted in significant improvements in glucose parameters (delta values: fasting glucose –2,13% ± 8.86; iAUC_0–120 –4.91% ± 78.87; HbA1c: –1.20% ± 4.72) accompanied by a significant weight reduction (−1.07 kg ± 2.30) in the study population. Subgroup analyses revealed that the improvements were mainly attributed to a prediabetic subgroup with elevated fasting glucose and HbA1c values before supplementation (delta values: fasting glucose −6.10% 4± 7.89; iAUC_0–120 –6.28% ± 115.85; HbA1c −3.31% ± 4.36; weight: −1.47 kg ± 2.82).Conclusion: This study indicates that the synbiotic composition is an effective and convenient approach to counteract hyperglycemia. Further placebo-controlled studies are warranted to test its efficacy in the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases.