Unlocking your cellular superpower with nutrition: learn how autophagy-inducing diets can be used to boost health and longevity.
What to know
Autophagy involves the breakdown and recycling of old and damaged cells and is important for healthy aging.
The ketogenic, Mediterranean, and plant-based diets have been shown to induce autophagy.
Fasting and caloric restriction also stimulate autophagy.
The key considerations for a diet to induce autophagy are meal timing, energy content, and polyphenol content.
In the quest for longevity and optimal health, the concept of autophagy has garnered significant attention. This natural cellular process plays a crucial role in rejuvenating our cells, clearing out damaged components, and promoting overall well-being.
One powerful way to kickstart autophagy is through dietary choices. As such, several dietary strategies have been highlighted as “autophagy diets.”
From intermittent fasting to ketogenic eating and beyond, this blog will explore the methods that harness the body's innate ability to heal and regenerate through autophagy.
Ketogenic diet
The ketogenic diet involves severely limiting carbohydrate intake and is modest in protein while allowing a liberal intake of fat. When carbohydrates are restricted, the metabolism is shifted into a state of ketosis, where the body primarily burns fat for fuel. Molecules called ketones are produced, which serve as an alternative energy source to glucose, the type of energy our cells use after we eat carbohydrates.[1]
The keto diet has been studied for its ability to activate autophagic pathways. One such study conducted in rats demonstrated that the keto diet induced autophagy and had a neuroprotective effect. [2]In Another study, also conducted in animals, autophagy was upregulated in the livers of the subjects eating a keto diet.[3]
Fasting
Numerous studies have examined the relationship between fasting and autophagy.
Intermittent fasting is a dietary approach that alternates between periods of eating and fasting, focusing not on what you eat but on when you eat.[4]
Several methods of fasting have been explored in relation to autophagy activation. Many studies, but not all, also involve caloric restriction, making it challenging to truly determine if it’s the fasting or the calorie restriction that has the greater impact.
For example, one study focused on mice and fed them two meals per day without restricting calories. Keeping a shortened eating window was sufficient to induce autophagy.[5]
Other research has also found that fasting for various periods of time stimulates autophagy.[6]
Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high intake of plants and is rich in dietary fibers, fatty acids, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances. Among these substances are polyphenols such as resveratrol, anthocyanins, and ellagic acid, among others. Polyphenols have been shown to stimulate autophagy and potentially have a protective effect when it comes to the development of certain health conditions.[7]
Plant-based diet
A diet that is rich in plants with a modest content of protein may also support autophagy.[8] Vegan diets and low-protein diets are among those that have been studied, and protein restriction has been shown to promote autophagy.[9] Many diets around the world are rich in plants and relatively low in protein, such as the Okinawan diet and the vegetarian approach of the Seventh-day Adventists.
Final words
There is not one single “autophagy diet” or even “longevity diet.” The timing of eating, energy content, and polyphenol content are some key considerations.
Some supplements like Mitopure®, a clinically validated dose of the postbiotic Urolithin A, can induce autophagy. In clinical studies, Mitopure has been shown to improve a specific type of autophagy called mitophagy, resulting in greater cellular energy and better muscle strength and performance.[10] Topical application has been shown to re-energize skin cells to help them better combat intrinsic (biological) and extrinsic (environmental) aging factors.[11]
Promoting autophagy should be a key consideration when it comes to healthy aging, and eating for longevity is just one of the lifestyle factors to consider, among others such as exercise.
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With Gratitude,
Gabriela Ana Holistic Health Coach
Gabriela Ana is a holistic health coach focused on empowering women worldwide. She emphasizes the mind-body-spirit connection for overall well-being through personalized plans including healthy habits, exercise, stress management, and holistic practices. Gabriela aims to support women in feeling their best and living fully, offering compassionate guidance throughout.
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