What Is Autophagy?
Autophagy is your body's cellular 'self-cleaning' process, in which cells break down and recycle damaged proteins and components. It activates during extended fasting and is associated with improved cellular health and immune function.
The word literally means 'self-eating' — and that's essentially what happens at a cellular level once your body has gone long enough without food. Cells begin clearing out damaged proteins, organelles, and even invading pathogens, recycling the components into new cellular building blocks. This process is one of the main reasons people pursue extended fasting protocols like OMAD or 20:4. It's worth noting that most of the strongest evidence for autophagy's benefits comes from animal studies; human research is still catching up, so claims about its effects should be taken as promising rather than proven.