8.Autophagy

CATEGORY:

•Physiology

DEFINITION:

•Cleaning of biological waste material (damaged cells and unused proteins)

FUNCTION:

•Releases Amino Acids for recycling (re-synthesis)

•Essential for Homeostasis and maintaining muscle homeostasis during exercise...

-Plays role in nutritional and energy needs of muscle through metabolic pathways of protein catabolism

-Involved in muscle regeneration

ACTION:

•Fasted State (SNS activated) is the normal state upon waking, allowing Autophagy to take place

-During starvation the breakdown of cellular components promotes cellular survival by maintaining cellular energy levels, fulfilling a survival prevention measure against Programmed Cell Death (PCD)

FACTS:

•Rising Insulin suppresses Autophagy

•Whilst Autophagy is taking place, Hormones are operating at Optimum Function

-Testosterone high and Insulin low

•Caffeine enhances Autophagy by inhibiting mTOR

-mTOR also inhibited by exercise

-Once exercise ceases and/or Caffeine is spent, a rebound affect of mTOR occurs which enables Protein Synthesis (muscle mass gains) in an accelerated manner

MANIPULATION:

•Nutrient starvation boosts Autophagy

DIETING:

•Controlling the consumption of Carbohydrates manipulates Blood Sugar levels, and so Insulin levels, to ensure Autophagy 

RELATED TO:

•Fasting

•SNS & PSNS

NOTES: