What is autophagy and why is it becoming popular?

When it comes to losing weight, trends come and go. Exercises for the heart were the norm back then; today, high-intensity interval training and strength training are the norm (HIIT). In terms of diets, intermittent fasting and keto are popular. The current fad is autophagy. However, it's more than just a weight-loss aid. Despite being a biological mechanism that allows cells to preserve themselves, experts think it may also help with weight loss. Scientists hypothesize that this process can be initiated and may be helpful in monitoring, treating, and preventing diseases, therefore weight loss is just one room in the palace.

This blog will enlighten you about autophagy, including its potential health benefits and risks.

What is autophagy?

The cells are the basic unit of the body. In fact, our body is made up of trillions of cells. Every cell has its vital components that help it perform the necessary functions. However, over time, these components or molecules in the cell become obsolete. They’re the useless elements that your cells need to give up for healthy functioning. If giving them up is not an option, recycling is another. Your cells use whatever salvageable parts they can to turn them into new components that can support a cell’s vital function.

Picture human cells as one unit of machine. Every machine has its components such as bolts, nuts and motors which are essential for the machine to run smoothly. However, if one of these components become malfunctioned, it will affect the operations of the machine. Hence, the machine needs to get rid of these parts and probably replace them with new ones. However, for these new parts to come in, the old parts have to be discarded. This is the process of autophagy wherein the cells get rid of the waste parts or molecules. However, sometimes the cells also recycle these waste parts to form new healthy ones.

So, in a nutshell, autophagy is your body’s natural process of reusing old parts of the cells for efficient functioning. Consider it your body’s cellular recycling system which works by allowing a cell to disassemble the junk parts and repurpose the redeemable bits into new, usable cell parts. A cell can also discard the parts it doesn’t need. It’s your cells’ own way of decluttering.

How and when does autophagy happen?

Autophagy happens when the cells are deprived of nutrients or oxygen. In this case, the cell reuses or recycles its own parts to survive. It’s your cells’ survival mode. It is a natural process that keeps happening within the body. But there are ways to induce it or speed it.

The process kickstarts when your body is forced to make the most of its own resources because they aren’t getting them from an outside source, i.e., nutrition. Long periods of fasting induce autophagy – when your body isn’t getting nutrients for hours, and even days. The benefit is that it can lead to the efficient functioning of the cells.

Alternatively, the process can also be triggered when these components in the cells are damaged. In this instance, these damaged and non-functioning parts are eliminated.

Several ways to induce autophagy

Autophagy can be induced in certain ways

• Fasting for several hours or days deprives your body and its cells of nutrients, triggering the cell’s survival mode, to use what it already has.
• Calorie restriction is another less grievous way of triggering autophagy. When you limit (not cut off entirely) the nutrition, it forces your body to induce the process.
• Switching to a low-carb diet, also called the keto diet, alters the way the body uses energy. It breaks down fat instead of sugar, carbs and muscles. This can also induce autophagy.

Closing thoughts: But is it safe?

Autophagy is a natural biological process. However, it can also be induced. As per science, autophagy may be beneficial for preventing or slowing down cancer. The junk that accumulates in the cell may increase the risk of cell mutation, which causes cancer. Autophagy may be a helping approach, but we need more research.

It's not necessary to activate autophagy just because it can. The body may suffer from autophagy, particularly if you have diabetes, are pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Imagine the consequences for your health of depriving your body of essential nutrients for an extended period of time (24–48 hours, based on animal studies; further research is needed to see how and when it works out for humans). Yes, it will aid in weight loss, but the unhealthy method makes it unworthwhile. Rather, concentrate on working out, moving more, and eating more fiber and protein. It might keep you full for longer periods of time, which can assist create a deficit. Also, you'll be consuming the vital nutrients your body requires to function smoothly and healthily.