Autophagy is a natural process that occurs in our cells where the damaged or defective parts are broken down and recycled into new, healthy cells. In simpler terms, autophagy is like a garbage disposal in our cells that takes all the damaged or unwanted parts and breaks them down into raw materials that can be used to build new cells.
Lysosome – The Garbage Disposal
The lysosome is the recycling unit of our cells, much like a garbage disposal. It has enzymes that break down the damaged or unwanted parts into free fatty acids and amino acids, which are the building blocks of new cells. These are then pushed out to different parts of the body, where cellular remodeling occurs. Autophagy is the process that activates this lysosomal recycling and cell regeneration.
Anti-Aging and Protective
Autophagy has numerous benefits for our body. It is anti-aging, protects the brain cells, regrows new brain cells and nerve cells, and is great for the heart to regrow new heart cells. Autophagy also protects against the immune system and intracellular pathogens like microbes, fungus, yeast, and viruses.
Mis-Folded Proteins
Mis-folded proteins are those proteins that are not shaped correctly. These proteins accumulate and develop into a bigger piece of protein called amyloid. This amyloid deposit is often seen in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients, diabetics with arteries, and cataracts. Autophagy recycles these mis-folded proteins into raw materials that can be used to rebuild new, healthy cells.
Triggering Autophagy – Fasting
Fasting is the most potent trigger for autophagy. Intermittent fasting, a form of fasting, is the most powerful way to activate autophagy. When we fast, our body enters into a survival mode and enhances our survival by taking all the damaged stuff and putting it through the recycler, coming out with fresh new material that can be used to regrow tissue.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance, which is caused by high insulin levels, can cause an accumulation of mis-folded proteins. These proteins plug up the whole system and lead to amyloid diseases, which are a form of protein packing that plugs up the body. This is why fasting is crucial in correcting insulin resistance and keeping insulin levels down, thus triggering autophagy.
Conclusion
Autophagy is a natural process that occurs in our cells where the damaged or defective parts are broken down and recycled into new, healthy cells. It has numerous benefits, including anti-aging, protecting the brain cells, regrowing new brain cells and nerve cells, and regrowing new heart cells. Autophagy is triggered by fasting, which is the most potent way to activate this recycling and regeneration process. Therefore, incorporating intermittent fasting into our lifestyle is crucial in correcting insulin resistance and activating autophagy.