Autophagy Theory

What is Autophagy?

Autophagy (from the Greek for "self-eating") is the regulated process by which a cell degrades its dysfunctional or foreign components. The cell can then recycle useful chemical components for further purposes.

This allows autophagy to regulate the balance of protein composition in a cell, prevent the buildup of toxic waste products, maintain cellular organelle function, remove invading pathogens, and help sustain cells during periods of starvation.

The scientific importance of understanding autophagy was highlighted when the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Yoshinori Ohsumi for his discoveries of mechanisms for autophagy.

Essentially, autophagy is the creation of a "garbage bag" (autophagosome) that collects cellular components and then takes them to the cell’s "recycling center" (lysosome) to be broken down into their parts which can then be recycled into new components.

Autophagy is activated by aerobic exercise, intermittent fasting, caloric restriction, and it's promoted by the ketogenic diet

Foods that Boost Autophagy:

Autophagy is Induced by Coffee

Autophagy is Increased by Green Tea

Autophagy is Stimulated by Coconut Oil

Autophagy can be Activated by Ginger

Autophagy is Increased by Galangal

Autophagy is Activated by Extracts of the Reishi Mushroom

Natural Supplements that Increase Autophagy:

Autophagy is Activated by Resveratol

Autophagy is Turned Up by Medium-chain Triglycerides (MCTs)

Autophagy is Increased by Curcumin

Autophagy is Activated by Vitamin D

Autophagy is Promoted by Omega 6 and 3 Polyunsaturated Fats

Autophagy is Increased by Nicotinamide

Autophagy is Activated by Melatonin

Autophagy is Enhanced by Ginseng

Autophagy is Increased by Lithium

Autophagy is Boosted by Spermidine

Autophagy is Induced by Sulforaphane

Autophagy is Promoted by Trehalose

Autophagy is Induced by Ursolic Acid