Autophagy is the body’s way of “self-eating” damaged and diseased cells to keep itself healthy. This natural cleaning process, discovered by Nobel laureate Yoshinori Ohsumi, kicks in when the body is under mild stress like hunger, exercise, sleep, or environmental challenges. During fasting, for example, the body uses its own damaged cells as energy, breaking them down and recycling their parts to make way for new, healthy cells.
This process is especially important for seniors because as we age, the body’s ability to clean out harmful cells slows down. Without enough autophagy, damaged cells build up, increasing inflammation and the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Supporting autophagy helps recycle cellular components, boosts energy, and strengthens the immune system.
Caregivers can encourage habits that support autophagy in seniors, such as gentle exercise like walking or chair workouts, eating nutritious foods rich in antioxidants, and ensuring good quality sleep for the body’s natural repair. Recent research also suggests that enhancing autophagy may slow chronic diseases like diabetes and neurodegeneration.
No comments:
Post a Comment