Autophagy (and fasting).

somapop

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Has anyone heard of this?
I've dropped in a link below but I only heard the term over the weekend whilst in a running conversation (fasting was mentioned).

One of those medical expeditions that may boil down to our obsession with finding a panacea for youthful time travel.
Whilst it initially sounds quite positive, there are potential side effects too and is very complex, hence a lot of research in the field.

These are chucked out by fitness lot on the socials without any deep, medical understanding it seems.

What is autophagy?

Autophagy is the body’s way of cleaning out damaged cells, in order to regenerate newer, healthier cells, according to Priya Khorana, PhD, in nutrition education from Columbia University.

“Auto” means self and “phagy” means eat. So the literal meaning of autophagy is “self-eating.”

It’s also referred to as “self-devouring.” While that may sound like something you never want to happen to your body, it’s actually beneficial to your overall health.


Fasting is something else a few swear by but I think I did once over a decade ago. Although I'm fairly conscientious when it comes to health and fitness, I'm not where nearly obsessed or micro calibrating what (and when) I consume food.
I don't drink at all in the week and try and get as much fruit and vegetables down my glug as much as possible.

But I've noticed recently I'm carrying a bit more weight than I'd like and that's from someone who trains almost everyday be it running (although I'm injured and post Covid still haven't got my full running mojo back....and the weight always shifted when in full funning flow), yoga, pilates and lifting.

I have three meals a day but given my job is desk based it's likely I'm eating more than I perhaps need to so planning to skip breakfast for a while (I know many that do), have a later 'brunch' then shift my evening dinner to an earlier time (it's usually 10pm!).
I'll trial it this week and see what my energy is like - I think earlier eating (when possible as I tend to gym in the evenings and not wise to eat a meal beforehand) may help with my awful sleep patterns too.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/autophagy#summary
 
I don’t know how anyone can function efficiently when they don’t eat breakfast.
I eat breakfast but haven’t had anything else until the evening for decades.
I never eat after 8 pm. Eating a big meal later cannot be good for your system. It leaves me with bad acid reflux.
But that’s all for my comfort, I have no obsession with youth or weight.
 
I can go months with only eating once a day. I eat what i want until i feel full.
I didn't plan this, but due to work demands i just skip breakfast and then don't eat until i come home.
My problem was that i also wasn't drink enough fluids either.

This little and often thing doesn't work for me. I never feel satisfied or full.

Now i try to eat some breakfast. Mainly porridge with some golden syrup.
Again nothing all day. Then a normal tea (dinner for the southerners!)

The main thing i found for energy levels throughout the day was to keep drinking something.
So that is either tea or soda (stream) water. I do drink a little and often.
This has had amazing effect on my weight. I have lost nearly four stone.

Last rule is no food after 8 pm.
 
Interesting replies.
I've ALWAYS had breakfast so was a surprise to find people who never have at (natuaklkly rather than following a diet - they just don't find themselves hungry at that time).
A friend park runs on an empty stomach (I'd need at least a banana or fruit bar just for a spike in energy).
Even though I think I'm consuming a small breakfast (without questioning whether I need breakfast) I'm still constructing a meal of porridge, bran flakes, fruit and nuts and a banana in a bowl (with either oat milk or dairy).

I'll just trial it for a while and try brunch/early lunch and lift that evening meal to a much earlier time - essentially skipping out a meal but still having my drinks through out the day (coffee, tea, decaf coffee and matcha with plenty of water.

I've been eating past 10pm for years and years (always put it down to some mythical Mediterranean blood) - convinced this isn't the best idea, but often due to my evening schedules.
 
Interesting replies.
I've ALWAYS had breakfast so was a surprise to find people who never have at (natuaklkly rather than following a diet - they just don't find themselves hungry at that time).
A friend park runs on an empty stomach (I'd need at least a banana or fruit bar just for a spike in energy).
Even though I think I'm consuming a small breakfast (without questioning whether I need breakfast) I'm still constructing a meal of porridge, bran flakes, fruit and nuts and a banana in a bowl (with either oat milk or dairy).

I'll just trial it for a while and try brunch/early lunch and lift that evening meal to a much earlier time - essentially skipping out a meal but still having my drinks through out the day (coffee, tea, decaf coffee and matcha with plenty of water.

I've been eating past 10pm for years and years (always put it down to some mythical Mediterranean blood) - convinced this isn't the best idea, but often due to my evening schedules.

I run 5k twice a week. Always in the morning on an empty stomach.
Just a cup of tea when i wake.
Don't want food or poo's sloshing around!
 
I never eat breakfast and when fasting (usually once or twice a year), I only eat once a day, usually dinner around 8pm. First couple of days are tough but after that my body gets used to it and no problem.
 
I run 5k twice a week. Always in the morning on an empty stomach.
Just a cup of tea when i wake.
Don't want food or poo's sloshing around!
Interesting - and I know a few who did this.

Think I'm programmed to grab a breakfast irrespective of hunger (but yeah, I'd have to at least have a cup of tea/coffee beforehand).
Presume your energy is all good?
I never eat breakfast and when fasting (usually once or twice a year), I only eat once a day, usually dinner around 8pm. First couple of days are tough but after that my body gets used to it and no problem.
Definitely try this for a week or two and gauge how I feel.

How long do those fasting periods last for btw?
 
I only ever have breakfast when I'm on holiday, just a brew and a fag in the morning, been same for about 30yrs. I very rarely have anything at lunchtime either, doesn't bother me at all.
Since before Christmas I've been walking every evening, at least 3 miles, sometimes 4, am currently the lightest I've been since my early 20s (63 next month).
Had very high blood pressure in December, prescribed Amplodine, been for a check today and all is fine now, just high cholesterol to deal with now, so am going on statins for that.

I suppose in 6mths time I'll have to have one of those plastic boxes for all the different tablets I'll be on, can't complain though, avoided all that until now.

Back to fasting, I can do 3 or 4 days without food, it's easy if you set your mind to it, probably does me no good but it does help if you need to shed a few pounds in a hurry.
 
When i am on keto i eat between 11 and 4pm , once settled on it i dont feel hungry at all, fasting is good for you
@kaz7 Stop talking rubbish. The British Medical Association have long stated the problems with this action you describe. It causes physical injury never mind ..... oh fasting. As you were. Ergh carry on. Nothing to see here.
 
Pre Lockdown I regularly faster for 48 hrs twice a week. All my fastest 5k's were morning runs on an empty stomach. I only have breakfast once a week. Mon to Fri I eat once when I come home from work. 15k steps a day at work. Never feel hungry.

My recent blood pressure and cholesterol issues are due to a couple of years of heavy drinking
 

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