Spermidine: The Anti-Aging Molecule Every Perimenopausal Woman Should Know About | Leslie Kenny
High Performance Health
Navigating Fasting and Fertility
This chapter explores the complexities of autophagy and its relation to spermidine and fasting, particularly for women. It addresses the impact of traditional fasting on reproductive health and emphasizes the need for gender-specific health approaches during key life stages like perimenopause.
In this powerful episode, Angela sits down with Leslie Kenny, a renowned longevity expert and founder of Oxford Healthspan, to unravel the transformative science behind spermidine—a naturally occurring compound that’s proving to be a game-changer in the world of aging and cellular health. Leslie shares how spermidine supports autophagy, boosts immune resilience, preserves fertility, and even plays a role in reversing grey hair and improving mitochondrial function. This episode is packed with insights every woman navigating perimenopause (and beyond) needs to hear.
Whether you're just starting to explore longevity tools or you’ve tried every supplement and still feel like something’s missing, Leslie explains why spermidine might be the missing piece of your puzzle. With her own incredible story of reversing her biological age to 21 at the age of 59, Leslie brings science, hope, and practical advice you can apply starting today.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Spermidine & Cellular Renewal: Spermidine is a plant-based compound that activates autophagy, the cellular "self-cleaning" process vital for aging well.
Fasting vs. Spermidine for Women: Fasting can backfire for women in high-stress phases like perimenopause—spermidine offers a gentler way to stimulate autophagy.
Supports Gut & Immune Health: Spermidine helps rebuild beneficial gut bacteria and rejuvenates immune cells, reducing inflammation and enhancing overall resilience.
Hair, Skin, and Telomeres: When paired with optimal health, spermidine may reverse grey hair, improve skin via collagen production, and protect telomeres.
Fertility & Hormonal Support: Spermidine supports egg quality and ovarian reserve—particularly important for women trying to conceive later in life.
Flexible Dosing for Deeper Results : For specific concerns, spermidine can be taken more than once daily to maintain consistent cellular benefits, much like vitamin C.
A Lifestyle Rooted in Science : Leslie shares her own biohacking routine—from Japanese-inspired meals to matcha lattes and functional “ice cream” recipes.
TIMESTAMPS AND KEY TOPICS
00:00 What spermidine is and why it matters for cellular cleanup
04:37 How to personalize your diet for optimal results
07:49 Why spermidine levels drop and how to restore them
14:10 Leslie’s journey reversing autoimmune disease and biological age
17:31 Why fasting may not work for perimenopausal women
22:38 How her food-based formula boosts spermidine naturally
28:59 Rejuvenating aging immune cells with spermidine
31:04 When to take spermidine for best results
35:28 How spermidine may support hair growth and reverse greys
39:25 Skin benefits and boosting collagen from inside out
41:26 Supporting mitochondrial health and energy levels
43:48 What telomeres are and how spermidine helps
52:08 Supporting stem cells and lowering inflammation
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Click here for discounts on all the products I personally use and recommend
Check out my blog to learn How Spermidine Can Reset Your Sleep and Hormonal Balance During Perimenopause
A BIG thank you to our sponsors who make the show possible:
Oxford Healthspan Primeadine: Target 9 out of the 12 Hallmarks of Aging - click here and use code ANGELA to save 15%
LVLUP HEALTH: Slow aging, repair gut health boost collagen and recovery and more with LVLUP Health’s amazing products. Save 15% with code ANGELA at https://lvluphealth.com/angela
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ABOUT THE GUEST
Leslie’s Kenny is an Oxford-based, Harvard-educated CEO and patient advocate whose life took a dramatic turn in her late 30s when she was diagnosed with Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, told she had five years to live and that she could give up on having children. Refusing to accept this prognosis, she transformed her health by eliminating inflammatory triggers and supporting her body’s natural healing. Now 59, she has the biological age of 21, is autoimmune disease-free, and naturally conceived at 43.
Empowered by her health journey, she returned to school, became a certified Bulletproof coach and began working with Oxford University scientists, helping them raise funding for their groundbreaking research. In a meeting with Professor Katja Simon, she discovered spermidine, a powerful, natural compound dubbed as an “anti-aging vitamin” and found to “delay aging in humans” through its ability to activate autophagy (cell renewal) and target key aging pathways. Recognizing its potential, she founded Oxford Healthspan, launching Primeadine®, a plant-derived spermidine supplement, with the highest quality, Japanese ingredients and the backing of top scientific and clinical advisors. She also collaborated with University of Oxford academics to co-found a non-profit organization, called the Oxford Longevity Project, dedicated to educating the public on easy, actionable ways to improve their healthspan and longevity.
https://www.instagram.com/oxfordhealthspan/
https://www.instagram.com/lesliesnewprime/
https://www.instagram.com/oxfordlongevityproject/
ABOUT THE HOST
Angela Foster is an award winning Nutritionist, Health & Performance Coach, Speaker and Host of the High Performance Health podcast. A former Corporate lawyer turned industry leader in biohacking and health optimisation for women, Angela has been featured in various media including Huff Post, Runners world, The Health Optimisation Summit, BrainTap, The Women’s Biohacking Conference, Livestrong & Natural Health Magazine.
Angela is the creator of BioSyncing®️ a blueprint for ambitious entrepreneurial women to biohack their health so they can 10X how they show up in their business and their family without burning out.
The High Performance Health Podcast is a top rated global podcast. Each week, Angela brings you a new insight, biohack or high performance habit to help you unlock optimal health, longevity and higher performance. Hit the follow button to make sure you get notified each time Angela releases a new episode.
CONTACT DETAILS
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