The health of the body is dependent on the health of the one hundred trillion or so cells that it is composed of and one of the ways it maintains its cellular health is through a self-cleaning mechanism called Autophagia, which is Latin for self digesting. The autophagy process is like a built-in recycling system, where by old cells and their components are broken down into their constituent parts, which are then reused to make new cells and new parts. Autophagia controls and reduces inflammation and supports the immune system, and when it's not working effectively disease and accelerated aging are inevitable.
Luckily, there are steps we can take to support Autophagia. Autophagia is initiated by mild stresses and one of the best strategies is called LCA (low-calorie Autophagia). It involves fasting and skipping meals and gives the body an opportunity to clear out cells and their debris. LCA is especially important for helping the body fight cancer and it can also improve the effects of chemotherapy. Eating less processed carbs can also help us. Both insulin and elevated blood sugar are linked to reduced Autophagia and nothing turns on the Autophagic response like a regular workout program.
