What is Autophagy?
Autophagy is a cellular process that degrades and recycles damaged or unnecessary cellular components. It is a conserved process that is found in all eukaryotic cells, from yeast to humans.
Key Functions of Autophagy:
- Maintaining cellular homeostasis
- Adapting to stress
- Fighting infection
- Removing damaged or cancerous cells
- Promoting longevity
Types of Autophagy
1. Macroautophagy: This is the most common type of autophagy. It involves the formation of a double-membrane vesicle called an autophagosome, which engulfs damaged or unnecessary cellular components. The autophagosome then fuses with a lysosome, a cellular organelle that contains enzymes that degrade the contents of the autophagosome.
2. Microautophagy: This type of autophagy involves the direct engulfment of cellular components by the lysosome.
3. Chaperone-mediated autophagy: This type of autophagy involves the degradation of proteins that are misfolded or aggregated.
Health Benefits of Autophagy
- Removal of damaged or cancerous cells
- Enhanced infection fighting capabilities
- Protection against neurodegenerative diseases
- Promotion of longevity
How to Promote Autophagy
- Fasting: Intermittent fasting triggers autophagy through starvation response
- Exercise: Increases AMPK protein levels, regulating autophagy
- Cold Ice Baths: Stresses the temperature mechanism of the body
- Curcumin: Found in turmeric
By measuring your Autophagy GKI Levels, you can see what is being repaired in your body. You measure your GKI level by using simple, at home, Glucose to Ketone tests taken with inexpensive kits (About 30.00 each).