The older we get, the more important it is to focus on our health. An often overlooked aspect of our wellbeing is our cellular health. This is shocking, considering our bodies are made up of trillions of cells. In order to properly take care of these cells, we need bodily functions such as autophagy. Today’s article will go over what autophagy is, how you can induce autophagy, what you can drink on autophagy, what not to drink on autophagy, and how fasting can help induce the process.
What Is Autophagy?
Autophagy is one of the body’s many essential functions. Think of it as the body’s way of cleaning house. During autophagy, your body replaces older, weak, and damaged cells with newer, healthier cells. This plays a huge role in cellular health, which becomes increasingly more important as we age.
This process can help reduce the negative side-effects of aging. The body breaks down damaged cells and recycles parts that no longer function correctly. This allows the body to create new parts or repair the damaged parts until they’re ready to contribute again.
How Do You Reach Autophagy?
First and foremost, it’s important to note that autophagy research is still in its infancy. Therefore, it’s difficult for us to make definitive statements regarding the process and reaching of autophagy. With that in mind, early research points towards three primary triggers:
- Fasting
- Caloric restrictions
- Regular Exercise
Understanding these different triggers can help you better determine your preferred method.
What Is The Purpose of Fasting For Autophagy?
Fasting as a dietary trend has boomed in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. While most simply associate fasting with weight loss, the health benefits extend far beyond a smaller waistline and lower numbers on the scale. Fasting can also help induce bodily functions such as ketosis and, yes, autophagy.
Unfortunately, there’s no specific number that begins the process. We can’t tell you “once you hit the eight-hour mark precisely, the autophagy process begins.” While that would make things much easier, the process is far more complicated. The time required during a fast will vary - sometimes greatly - depending on weight, age, biological factors, activity level, and other lifestyle habits.
What Can You Drink While Fasting For Autophagy?
A question we often get asked in regard to fasting is “what to drink while fasting?” This often confuses people, as they think a fast means no consumption of food or beverage. While water fasts exist, the most common forms of fasting - such as the 16-8 diet, for example - allow you to drink beverages with no or very little caloric content. Some of those beverages include:
- Water
- Tea
- Coffee
- Broth
- Vinegar
Experts highly recommend staying hydrated while fasting. This means drinking plenty of water. Try to avoid sports drinks, however, as they are often sneaky with the calories.
What Not To Drink When Fasting For Autophagy?
Another commonly asked question is whether or not coffee is acceptable during a fast. Yes and no. Black coffee with no sugar, no cream, or no milk is acceptable. If you can pull off such a task - drinking black coffee, that is - then you will quickly find that coffee can be a potent appetite suppressor, which can help you keep your mind off of food. However, some people may have an adverse reaction to caffeine on an empty stomach. Therefore, it’s hard to recommend coffee to those fasting. Nobody knows you better than you. If you think you can handle coffee on an empty stomach, have at it. While black coffee won’t break a fast, coffee with loads of creamer or milk, sodas, shakes, smoothies, and certain juices will.
What Breaks A Fast In Autophagy?
Properly breaking a fast is just as important as the fasting process itself. Going without food for most of the day then stuffing your face at an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet isn’t going to have the effect you were hoping for. Some of the foods you should eat to break a fast include:
- Smoothies
- Dried fruits
- Soups
- Vegetables
- Fermented foods
- Healthy fats
Breaking a fast with healthy foods like the ones mentioned above will help your body better tolerate food. This allows you to slowly ease food back into your diet without your body feeling overwhelmed.
What Are Signs Of Autophagy?
Fasting to achieve autophagy can be a difficult task. After all, who likes to deprive themselves of the opportunity to raid the fridge in the middle of the night? But results are often the best motivator. Understanding the signs of autophagy can help you know that everything you’re doing is working. Some of the signs include:
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved fitness
- Better sight
- Faster wound healing
- Improved skin health
- Reduced loose skin
- Better mental wellbeing
- Improved mental clarity
Supplements May Help
Changing your lifestyle to help promote autophagy can help you live a longer, happier, and healthier life. That’s why we recommend a healthy regimen of spermidine supplements. Spermidine helps induce the autophagy process but is challenging to consume through diet alone. At spermidineLIFE®, we offer the world’s first award-winning spermidine supplement to ensure you’re always getting the most out of your body!
