Intermittent fasting currently

 Autophagy is a natural process in which your body's cells "eat" or break down their own damaged or unnecessary components to recycle them and create newer, healthier cells. The word itself comes from Greek, with "auto" meaning "self" and "phagy" meaning "eating."

How Autophagy Works

Think of autophagy as the body's internal recycling and cleanup crew. When you're fasting, your body is deprived of external nutrients, which puts cells under a mild, positive stress. In response to this stress, your cells activate the process of autophagy to find a new source of energy. They essentially clean out the cellular "junk" that has accumulated, like misfolded proteins and worn-out organelles (the "organs" of the cell). This cellular waste is then broken down and the recycled materials are used for energy or to build new, healthy cell parts.

The process is vital for maintaining cellular health and can be triggered by several things, including:

 * Fasting: As you're doing, intermittent fasting and longer fasts are a well-known way to stimulate autophagy. The process ramps up as your body uses up its stored glucose and begins to rely on other energy sources.

 * Exercise: Physical activity can also induce autophagy by putting stress on your muscle cells.

 * Diet: A high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet can also trigger the process.

Benefits and Research

The benefits of autophagy are still an active area of research, but it is believed to have a number of potential health benefits, including:

 * Improved Cellular Health: By removing damaged components, it helps maintain cellular quality control and efficiency.

 * Longevity: Some studies suggest that autophagy may play a role in promoting longevity by protecting cells from age-related decline.

 * Protection Against Disease: Researchers are exploring its potential role in preventing or managing conditions like cancer, neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's), and heart disease.

It's important to remember that while fasting can trigger this beneficial process, the duration needed to maximize autophagy can vary. Most research suggests that the process is significantly stimulated after about 16 hours of fasting, and a more pronounced effect may occur after longer fasts of 36 to 72 hours. Since you practice intermittent fasting, you are already engaging in a great way to support this important function in your body.