Everyone’s Talking about Autophagy—is it Useful or Dangerous?

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You may have already heard of the science of autophagy, a process of cell regeneration that’s believed to help reduce your chances of getting certain diseases. It has become a big trend in recent years after the Japanese scientist Yoshinori Ohsumi received the Nobel Prize for his autophagy discoveries in 2016. Can you really follow the principles of autophagy in order to be healthier or is it dangerous to do so on your own?

Basically, autophagy is the process during which cells degrade and renew. Autophagy is believed to destroy viruses and bacteria after infections. Cells use this process to remove damaged components and stay healthy. People who want to achieve this process intentionally turn to fasting, as that’s what makes the cells rely only on themselves for the healing processes. It’s generally believed that you should fast at least 12-16 hours per day in order to see the health benefits.

Still, if you have any health problems or are pregnant, it’s best to consult a doctor before this lifestyle change. The easiest and healthiest way to not eat for so many hours is to stop eating from lunch until breakfast the next day, effectively skipping dinner.