What is autophagy?

Understand how to activate and its benefits.

The prefix “auto” means, self. The suffix “phagy” means, to eat. So that must mean, autophagy, means to eat one’s self? Yep! That’s exactly what it means. Relax, this is a good thing.

LET’S EXPLAIN
Autophagy is a self-preservation mechanism that is a natural function of the body. It cleans or recycles damaged cells in order to regenerate new cells. Think of it like a spring cleaning your body does to itself whenever you allow your body to activate it.

HOW TO ACTIVATE?
First, start by talking to your physician before taking any advice online about how to stimulate autophagy. Not every recommendation fits your lifestyle in its current state. Always be cautious and aware of your current health status.

There are three ways to stimulate autophagy in the body that are widely agreed upon although the research is steadily evolving.

FASTING
Fasting is the most effective way to activate autophagy.

This doesn’t mean fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. Autophagy begins after your body has received no calories for 12 hours. The longer you fast, the more effective. Diminishing returns begin around the 72-hour mark. If your purpose of fasting is to enter into autophagy then 3 days would be a perfect amount of time based on current research.

EXERCISE
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can also activate autophagy. This type of training involves spiking your heart rate to its optimal level in a short burst and then allowing your heart a rest period that allows you to come down to a normal rhythm again. This works with HIIT resistance training as well as HIIT cardiovascular training.

Stimulating the body through this type of exercise triggers autophagy that cleans out your liver burning fat and giving you more energy overall.

KETOSIS
The word “keto” from the popular diet term “ketogenic diet” refers to a process called ketosis. Through ketosis, your body learns how to switch from using carbohydrates as fuel to burning ketones as fuel.

NOTE: Basically don’t eat carbs and your body will naturally start to enter into ketosis.

The very act of producing ketones is autophagy at work. The longer your body stays in a ketonic state, the more effective autophagy is.

BENEFITS
A youthful look doesn’t just describe your outward appearance. Youth comes from the inside out. Autophagy is one of the main contributors to maintaining youth. By removing or recycling damaged cells, younger cells take over enhancing your looks and lifespan.

Toxic proteins are potentially dangerous because they promote neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia. Autophagy lowers their risk.

The scariest disease of them all one would argue is cancer. Although the research is still young, the war against cancer is showing signs of autophagy being our shining knight.

Cancer begins from damaged cells. The act of autophagy is to remove those cells. This inherently lowers the risk of cancer since there is nothing for it to grow from.