What is Autophagy?

When we switch our main energy source to proteins and fats, we undergo fat adaptation. This is a metabolic state where our bodies learn to burn fuel from fat instead of carbohydrates and results in appetite suppression, allowing for progression to intermittent fasting. Autophagy kicks in at about 16 hours of fasting. 

Japanese scientist, Yoshinori Ohsumi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine in 2016 for his research findings underlying the mechanisms for autophagy. Autophagy means to eat (“phagy) oneself (“auto”) in Greek. It involves the breakdown and recycling of intracellular components within of our cells. It is Fundamental in maintaining cellular function and critical in preventing diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, heart disease, diabetes, liver disease and in combating infections. Dysfunctional autophagy is associated with a wide range of human diseases. It is Inhibited in growth promoting conditions/anabolic states such as when insulin levels are elevated; in particular where there are states of insulin resistance.  In contrast, autophagy is strongly induced by states of starvation and is thought to be an adaptive response to nutrient deprivation promoting cellular survival until nutrients become available again.