What Is The Autophagy Process And How Can You Benefit?

Autophagy is the body’s “self-eating” process that occurrs as a response to stress – the cell’s normal, controlled mechanism for removing unwanted or defective components.

So why would your body want to consume itself?

The body is able to clean out damaged cells and rebuild new, healthy ones as a result of this process. 

In periods of stress, such as fasting, low carbohydrate intake, or exercise, the body spontaneously releases proteins to break down old, weakened cells. All of these damaged cells are gathered by the body, which then breaks them down and uses the good parts for energy or to create new cells.

You shouldn’t be concerned, though; autophagy is a painless process.  

Benefits of Autophagy

Experiments in mice, have shown this process provides multiple cardiac, metabolic, and neurological protective mechanisms, including:

• Controlling inflammation and boosting immune function
• Reducing cancer risk
• Slowing the ageing process
• Reducing the risk of developing insulin resistance
• Reducing the risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders
• Reducing the risk of developing infection

Additional mouse studies, on the other hand, have shown that a lack of autophagy can be detrimental to the body. This study suggests that if you don’t put your body through this self-induced stress, you’re more likely to:

• Develop cardiac, metabolic, and neurological diseases
• Gain weight
• Have increased feelings of drowsiness
• Suffer impairment of cognitive performance
• Have increased cholesterol

According to the study, autophagy will help you become a more effective machine by removing dead and damaged cells from your body more quickly, allowing healthy cells to take their place.

As we get older, the amount of dead and damaged cells in our bodies naturally increases, making an autophagy response even more important. This procedure speeds up the breakdown of old cells, preventing or delaying the onset of sarcopenia.

How to Induce Autophagy

Putting the body under stress in order to achieve autophagy does not have to be achieved 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So, how can you make this happen, and, more importantly, how can you fit it into your hectic schedule? 

One of the most effective ways to induce Autophagy is through intermittent fasting.

Intermittent Fasting

First of all, it’s important to note, that intermittent fasting isn’t for everyone, particularly people with diabetes or other blood sugar issues, pregnant women, and children.

‘Intermittent Fasting’ refers to any diet that cycles between periods of fasting and eating for a predetermined period of time.

An easy and effective way to achieve autophagy is following an Isagenix program that incorporates intermittent fasting days called Cleanse Days. Cleanse Days are nutritionally supported fasting days where enough calories are restricted to stimulate metabolic benefits like autophagy.

On a Cleanse Day you feel nourished and energised while still promoting your health and weight-loss goals through fasting. Isagenix has developed scientifically crafted snacks that balance macronutrients and calories while still including cutting–edge ingredients and adaptogens so you can curb hunger and sustain energy and mental clarity whilst fasting.

Once you have been through an Isagenix Cleanse day, you’ll have the tools to cleanse regularly for life. Autophagy is just one of the many health benefits that come with fasting. 

To learn more about how you can get started on an Isagenix Cleanse day, see our guide here.