Boosting Vaccine Response in Seniors with a Common Food Compound
A natural molecule found in everyday foods like mushrooms, wheat germ, parmesan, and cheddar cheese may hold the key to strengthening immune responses in older adults. A new study published in the journal Aging Cell by researchers at the University of Oxford and the Max Delbrück Center has found that daily supplementation with spermidine — just 6 mg per day for 13 weeks — significantly improved vaccine immunity in adults over 65 who had previously shown weak responses to COVID-19 vaccination.
In the double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled pilot study involving 40 participants, spermidine was found to:
- Reverse signs of immune cell aging (immunosenescence)
- Reduce cellular DNA damage
- Enhance spike-specific antibody secretion
- Improve memory B cell recall
- Boost neutralising antibody activity
These effects were specifically noted in those who had not previously responded well to vaccines.
The compound works by stimulating autophagy, a natural cellular “housekeeping” process that clears out damaged components and helps immune cells function more effectively. As spermidine levels naturally decline with age, supplementation could offer a safe and accessible wellness strategy to close the gap. Researchers note that larger studies are needed to confirm the findings across other vaccines, such as seasonal flu. The supplement was found to be safe and well-tolerated with no adverse effects.
Source: ScienceDaily — This Food Compound May Help Vaccines Work Better in Older Adults (July 20, 2026)