08/13/2025
Autophagy is a process initiated during hunger or fasting, in which the body breaks down and reuses damaged or unhealthy cells.
This process helps remove cells that could otherwise lead to diseases such as cancer or conditions like Alzheimer's.
Autophagy occurs when your body’s cells are deprived of nutrients or oxygen or if they’re damaged in some way.
Each cell contains multiple parts that keep it functioning. Over time, these parts can become defective or stop working. They become litter, or junk, inside an otherwise healthy cell.
Autophagy is also quality control for your cells. Too many junk components in a cell take up space and can slow or prevent a cell from functioning correctly.
Autophagy remakes the clutter into the selected cell components you need, optimizing your cells’ performance.
Autophagy is essential for a cell to survive and function :
Recycles damaged cell parts into fully functioning cell parts.
Gets rid of nonfunctional cell parts that take up space and slow performance.
Destroys pathogens in a cell that can damage it, like viruses and bacteria.
Lysosomes — part of a cell — eating other parts of the cell.
The word “autophagy” is a combination of two Greek words translated to mean “self-devouring” “Autos” means self “Phagomai” means to eat.
One can induce autophagy by stressing your cells to send them into survival mode. You can induce autophagy through fasting, Calorie restriction, Switching to a high-fat, low-carb diet, Exercise.
Still, being able to induce autophagy doesn’t mean you should.
For instance, fasting, calorie restriction or switching to a keto diet may not be safe if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or if you have a condition like diabetes.
Similarly, you shouldn’t begin a vigorous exercise routine without consulting a healthcare provider.
Disclaimer: The information provided in the post is generally accepted, it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have specific pain or conditions, consult with a healthcare professional.
Sources / Credits :
Cleveland Clinic Article 24058-autophagy
Andreotti DZ, Silva JDN, Matumoto AM, Orellana AM, de Mello PS, Kawamoto EM. Effects of physical exercise on autophagy and apoptosis in aged brain: human and animal studies.
de Cabo R, Mattson MP. Effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease published correction appears in N Engl J Med.
Ichimiya T, Yamakawa T, Hirano T, et al. Autophagy and autophagy-related diseases: a review.