Fasting: From "Soul Purification" to Cellular Autophagy
1. Why did people fast in the past?
In all cultures, we find periods without food: Lent, Ramadan, yogic retreats... The idea was simple: “empty the stomach to purify the body and the spirit.”
Today, science confirms that a break from food is not just symbolic: it’s a biological signal that triggers a cellular cleaning program called autophagy.
2. Autophagy: the key word to know
After about 14 hours without calories, our cells switch into recycling mode:
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they break down their “worn-out parts” (damaged proteins, tired mitochondria);
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they turn them into fuel or new parts.
Result: a cleaner, more efficient body.
3. What recent studies show
| What was measured | What it changes |
|---|---|
| Autophagy activation after a month of daily fasting (Ramadan) | decrease in cellular waste |
| 10 h eating / 14 h fasting window (3 months) | blood sugar, waist size & triglycerides drop significantly |
| “Fasting-Mimicking” 5 days/month (in mice) | +30% in lifespan and vitality |
4. The most noticeable benefits
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More stable energy (fewer crashes).
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Reduced inflammation (less joint stiffness).
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Brighter skin (thanks to cellular cleansing).
5. How to start gently?
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Pick an easy rhythm
Beginner: 14 hours fasting / 10 hours eating. -
Stay hydrated & remineralized
Water + pinch of natural salt, herbal teas. -
Break the fast gently
Veggie soup → light proteins → regular meal. -
Listen to your body
Pregnant women, children, diabetics: consult a professional.
6. What you might feel
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Day 1–2: usual light hunger → drink water, breathe.
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Day 3+: clearer mind, more even energy.
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Long term: better weight management and deeper sleep.
7. In summary
Stopping eating for a few hours is like offering a cleaning service to your cells.
Simple, free, at your pace.
Further reading
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Nobel Prize 2016 – Yoshinori Ōsumi (autophagy)
nobelprize.org -
Time-restricted eating improves cardiometabolic markers
Cell Metabolism, 2024 – DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.02.006 -
Fasting-mimicking cycles extend mice lifespan
Nature Communications, 2023 – DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40925-z -
Ramadan fasting boosts autophagy-related gene expression
Nutrients, 2024 – DOI: 10.3390/nu16101377