ABSTRACT
The relationship between gross domestic pro- duct (GDP) and dietary profile, with a focus on polyamine intake, was investigated in 35 Asian countries. Data on food supply, GDP, and health condition were collected from databases of the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Health Organization, respectively. The amount of polyamine intake from food was estimated using polyamine concentrations listed in published sources. The amounts of putrescine, spermidine, spermine, and total polyamines in 1000 kcal of food in Asian countries were 39.07 ± 17.98, 33.74 ± 14.35, 14.05 ± 6.60 and 86.85 ± 33.96 μmol/1000 kcal, respectively. Putrescine, spermidine, and spermine constituted 44, 39, and 17% of total polyamine, respectively. Vegetables contributed the largest amount of both putrescine and spermidine and the second largest amount of spermine (45.5%, 62.2% and 27.2% of total putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, respectively). Meat was the richest source of spermine and contributed the greatest amount (50%) of this polyamine. We showed a significant positive association between GDP and the amount of polyamine per 1000 kcal of food. Lifespan was associated with both GDP and the amount of polyamine per energy quotient of food. As several basic research studies have shown that polyamines help prolong longevity, it follows that polyamines may have a role in determining the lifespan of humans.