338. Spermidine & Longevity: Myths, Autophagy and the future of healthy aging with Leslie Kenny (English)

Today we are joined by a very special guest and dear friend of the Biohacking Girls community in Norway — Leslie Kenny, founder of Oxford Healthspan and a leading voice in the global longevity field.

Leslie has spent years studying how we can support cellular health, slow biological aging, and improve healthspan — the years we live with strength, clarity and vitality.

She is also one of the most loved speakers at Biohacking Weekend, and this year she returns to Norway for the fifth time.

In this episode we dive into one of the most talked-about molecules in longevity science: spermidine.

Spermidine is a naturally occurring compound found in many foods and is being studied for its role in autophagy, the cellular “recycling system” that helps maintain healthy cells as we age.

But there are also many misunderstandings around this topic.

In this conversation we explore:

• What spermidine actually is and why scientists are interested in it
• The difference between food-derived and synthetic spermidine
• Why “more is not always better” in longevity science
• Why supplements should never replace lifestyle foundations
• How autophagy supports cellular renewal and immune resilience
• Why longevity science needs more female-specific research
• Spermidine-rich foods and the idea of a food-first approach
• What Leslie is seeing right now in the global longevity field
• The shift away from miracle molecules toward whole-system health

We also discuss the broader perspective of longevity: not about living forever, but about maintaining strength, cognitive clarity, mobility and independence as we age.

Links to read more:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcb.2023.08.002

https://doi.org/10.1080/2162402X.2022.2146855

If you want to learn more about longevity science, cellular health and the future of healthy aging, Leslie will be speaking live at Biohacking Weekend 2026 in Norway, 21 th and 22nd of March.

Join us for a weekend filled with inspiring talks, cutting-edge science and practical tools for optimizing health.

Sign up for Biohacking Weekend 2026 here:
www.kongresspartner.no