Anti-Aging Supplements: A Double-Edged Sword in Cancer Growth, New Study Suggests
A startling new study published today in the Journal of Biological Chemistry has uncovered a troubling paradox: polyamines, the popular anti-aging compounds found in longevity supplements and foods like wheat germ and mushrooms, may also fuel cancer growth under certain conditions.
Polyamines, particularly spermidine, have become stars in the wellness world for their ability to boost cellular cleanup through autophagy and support healthy aging. However, researchers at Tokyo University of Science, led by Associate Professor Kyohei Higashi, have discovered that high levels of these same molecules are consistently seen in cancer, where tumors grow aggressively.
The research team analyzed over 6,700 proteins in human cancer cell lines to understand this contradiction. They found that in healthy cells, polyamines activate protective pathways through a protein called eIF5A1. However, in cancer cells, polyamines trigger a different protein—eIF5A2—that fuels rapid tumor growth by enhancing glycolysis, the process that quickly converts glucose into energy.
“The biological activity of polyamines via eIF5A differs between normal and cancer tissues,” explained Dr. Higashi. “In normal tissues, eIF5A1, activated by polyamines, activates mitochondria via autophagy, whereas in cancer tissues, eIF5A2, whose synthesis is promoted by polyamines, controls gene expression to facilitate the proliferation of cancer cells.”
While the findings don’t categorically ban polyamine supplementation, they suggest caution is warranted—especially for individuals with cancer risk factors. The research also identifies eIF5A2 as a potential selective target for cancer treatment that could slow tumor growth without interfering with healthy aging benefits.
Source: ScienceDaily