People pay a lot of money for stem cell injections, seeking a variety of treatments, ranging from the regeneration of joints to anti-aging. What makes this exciting is during fasting and autophagy, new stem cells are generated naturally!
Fasting and Autophagy: A Powerful 1-2 Punch
What is Autophagy?
When it comes to achieving good health, there’s one word we all need to be familiar with: “autophagy.” Pronounced “a-taw-fa-gee”, it is defined as “the body’s process of recycling its own damaged tissue into usable energy during times when food is not present.”
The key part of that definition is “when food is not present.”
Since we are told to eat 5-6 times per day for good health, food is always within reach. As a result, talking about autophagy is like speaking a foreign language to most people. However, if we want to reap the benefits of autophagy, we must change our mindset when it comes to eating. This means instead of eating from the moment we wake up until bedtime, we must eat less frequently. This does not mean going on fad diets or starving yourself. It simply means don’t eat less, eat less often.
This is a key component of autophagy, intermittent fasting and good health overall.
Fasting and Autophagy: The Power of Autophagy
I tell my clients the key to good health is to resist focusing on the symptoms and dig deeper. (Have a headache? Don’t just take an aspirin to reduce the pain, find out what’s causing your head to hurt.) Go directly to the source of your discomfort.
Many times, the issues we encounter can only be addressed at the cellular level, which is part of my True Cellular Detox philosophy. Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen often, because modern medicine prefers to focus on the symptom (i.e. pain relief), and not the root cause of the issue.
In order to get well, we must fix the cell. This is critical because these bad cells could lead to a variety of health issues, which could include the following:
- Increased inflammation
- Food allergies
- Autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, celiac disease, etc.)
- Cancer
This is where intermittent fasting and autophagy come into play.
When we fast, the body turns to stored fat for energy, which is an excellent way to lose weight naturally. It also increases growth hormones and testosterone levels, which prompts the body to regenerate itself.
These are fantastic reasons to fast, but when a person fasts for sixteen hours or more, that’s when the magic begins.
After sixteen hours of fasting, the body will begin to attack the bad cells. Please note: the body will always eat the bad cells and tissues for energy before using the good ones. Bad cells are not able to adapt to using fat for energy, so they begin to die off and become food for the body. As a result, your body has a chance to clear cellular debris and abnormal cells, like cancerous cells.)
There have been many studies conducted on the power of autophagy:
- In one study, researchers concluded that autophagy “is crucial for NRF2 activation and elimination of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.”1
- In a study on melanoma, researchers suggest that autophagy regulatory proteins reduced the survival of melanoma cells.2
- A study on necrosis (the death of cells through disease or injury) concluded that autophagy protected human bronchial epithelial cells from necrosis.3
I personally eat this way and have coached many of my clients through it, who have experienced tremendous benefits and an increase in health and weight loss. The standard American diet has strayed very far from this approach with disastrous results. It is critical people start intermittent fasting so they can reap the benefits of autophagy.
Fasting and Autophagy: A Focused Form of Healing
Humans have been fasting and seeing positive results from autophagy for centuries, but its benefits are just being fully discovered. One that needs special attention is the growth of stem cells.
When we’re fasting, autophagy devours bad cells and simultaneously raises our number of powerful stem cells. These stem cells start to replace all those bad tissues that your body actually got rid of, so you’re basically dumping a bunch of these incredible communication molecules into your system that knows how to heal.
In other words, they go directly into those places that need healing.
This is extremely important, because it uses the body’s natural healing response, making it a drugless medicine. For example, when a person is injected with stem cells, it tends to be the exact opposite of a steroid injection. If it’s properly administered and done correctly, steroid injections provide immediate improvement. However, if you’re lucky, it’ll last two months, and then it wears completely off. Stem cells are the exact opposite: once it starts to kick in between month two and six, it seems to last years.
Fasting and Autophagy: Free Stem Cells!
People pay a lot of money for stem cell injections, seeking a variety of treatments, ranging from the regeneration of joints to anti-aging. What makes this exciting is during autophagy, new stem cells are generated naturally!
Stem cells are often called “master cells” because they can grow into any of the body’s 200 types of cells. Not only do stem cells increase during a fast, but they also continue to multiply after the fast as well. This is just another reason to begin fasting.
Here’s a brief video where I discuss what I am doing to maximize my stem cells before breaking a fast:
When it comes to good health, one of the best things we can do is intermittent fast. This gives our digestive system a much-needed break, allowing our bodies to focus on healing itself from the inside out. Energy deviation is really the description of what happens during our fast. Many of us have no idea how much energy it takes to metabolize food.
It’s like when you’re on vacation: you have nothing specific planned and wonder what you’re going to do with all that extra time and energy. Guess what the body does? It doesn’t sit back on the beach and drink a margarita. Instead, it says “I’m going to put that energy into healing.”
Give intermittent fasting a try. Your body will thank you!
References:
- Shah S.Z., Zhao D., & Hussain T et al. “p62-Keap1-NRF2-ARE Pathway: A Contentious Player for Selective Targeting of Autophagy, Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Prion Diseases.” Front Mol Neurosci. 2018 Oct 4;11:310. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00310.
- Verykiou S., Alexander M., * Edwards N. et al. “Harnessing autophagy to overcome MEK-inhibitor induced resistance in metastatic melanoma.” Br J Dermatol. 2018 Oct 19. doi: 10.1111/bjd.17333.
- Wang L, Li X & Yang Z. et al. “Autophagy induced by low concentrations of crotonaldehyde promotes apoptosis and inhibits necrosis in human bronchial epithelial cells.” Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2019 Jan 15;167:169-177. doi: 10.1016/j.
Join our Fasting for a Purpose Group!
Brigitte
What is the Back/Stem cell aid Doctor’s name and where is the facility?
I had L-5 surgery long ago. Now have had simillar issues as you from Auto accident.
Congatulations on your 6 fast days and how well your body is healing. Thank you for sharing.
Ashley Smith
Dr. Harry Adelson in Utah.
LJ
While IF 16/8 if I drink a glass of water with one tablespoon of psyllium powder, does that break a fast?
Ashley Smith
Yes, the fiber in the psyllium will stimulate your digestion. Stick to water or black coffee/tea only during your fasting window.
Dominique McDermed
Is mineral water such as Pellegrino okay?
Ashley Smith
When water fasting, still water is best.
STANLEY MAZZAROTTO DE SA
yep cause your insulin will go on just a little amount, but will. The best choice is water fast. God Bless the flat earth.
Liza
How often, or on what cycle, are best results seen?
Ashley Smith
Variation is key, and finding your sweet spot of what works for you will take some trial and error. Depends on what kind of fasting you’re doing and for how long. Not recommended to do more than 1 block fast per month.
Keith Kelly
Great confirmation, for me, of my understanding of any fasting. Thank You God. Amazing “All that God has Created, Amazing”. How about “Love”? Off the charts…. Yes. Maybe, someday, we will “Get It”?
Soraya
Dr pompa, does an extended fast (5 day fast like ProLon) help get rid of parasite like endolimax? Would autophagy process use up those parasites? Look forward to to your feedback. Thanks
Ashley Smith
There is no evidence that a FMD will eradicate parasites. You’ll want to follow a proper protocol for that with a trained practitioner.
Claudia Mihalcea
I presume taking chlorella breaks the fasting as well isn’t it??????
Ashley Smith
Yep, you got it!
Danielle Corbie Archey
Does agave in tea break the fast?
Ashley Smith
Yes, it absolutely does. Agave will actually spike your blood sugar quite a bit.
Colleen S.
How often do you fast? I’m going to do my first 5 day fast starting tomorrow; when should I fast next?
Ashley Smith
It is not recommended to do a 5 day fast more than 1x per month. Join our next group fast in Feb, if you’d like! http://www.FastingForAPurpose.com
M.E.
Is there something i can eat that will not break my fast I need to swallow two pills that are bug but can not seem to swallow them with water. If I eat a grape or two olives I can swallow them.
Ashley Smith
Any bite of food will break your fast. I’m sorry.
Penny Fitzgerald
What about getting salt in during a fast.. I hear of snake diet.. on youtube. Makes since.
Ashley Smith
Salt is important. Aim for 1-2 teaspoons per day of high quality sea salt in your water.
Claudia Mihalcea
One more question please ….. is IF “allowed” during pregnancy?????? I mean is harmful for the baby or not?????? Thank you (again).
Ashley Smith
No fasting whatsoever is recommended during pregnancy.
Tammy
I don’t need to lose weight but want to reap the benefits of Autophagy. Dr Berg advises some fat only if needed because while it may break Ketosis, it does not break Autophagy. Is this Dr Poompas philosophy? I really feel ill after fasting more than 30 hours, maybe because I don’t have enough fat to burn for fuel? Should I take in Cococun oil or something? Thank you.
Ashley Smith
It’s best to use a ketone meter to check your ketones and glucose levels to see if eating fat breaks you our of ketosis, and even autophagy. Everyone is different. Catch up on Dr. Pompa’s videos for more information about that. http://www.fastingforapurpose.com
Rocco Vadala
How can a type2 diabetic fast properly? Recommended length of fast?
Ashley Smith
Yes, but under the guidance of a practitioner. Work on becoming fat adapted first and work your way to a safe fast.
Sheileen
How safe is fasting for a 78 year old, not overweight, relatively healthy but lacking the energy I would like.
Ashley Smith
I would try slow, with intermittent fasts and work your way up to your goal. 🙂
Patsy3
I’ve fasted in the past, but a lot of the terms are new to me. I just finished a 24 hr water fast that included a cup of bullion. I read most of Dr Fungs’ book, but see that I need a lot of familiarizing for it to sink in. Thanks for help.
Jenn byrne
Can/should cancer patients who undergoing chemo fast? Could it save a person who is pretty far along cancer wise? Thank you.
Ashley Smith
Yes, only with the blessing of your doctor who is overseeing your cancer treatment of course. 🙂
Gabriel
Can I drink naturally flavored seltzer on a fast? It’s got 0 everything and NO sweeteners of any kind. Typical brand examples are perrier or klarbrunn.
Ashley Smith
No, these are not recommended.
Tim
How often should I fast to fully rid my body of damaged cells?
I want to do a thorough “spring cleaning” of my insides.
Ashley Smith
No more than 1x a month for an extended fast. you can do 1-2 days a week though.
TRACEY
Can I continue to add slices of lemon, cucumber, celery and mint leaves to my bottled water during my IF?
Ashley Smith
Plain water is best.
Jo Ann Watkins
I am 66 and take 4 medications and numerous supplements . During a fast, can I still take my medications?
Ashley Smith
We are in no position to tell you otherwise. 🙂
Julianna
Can you consume Apple Cider Vinegar in your water While fasting for Autophagy ?
Ashley Smith
When doing a water fast, only water is allowed.