Danton Awan
Goodway Fasting (GF) promotes the activation of the autophagy process, which is the process in which our body’s cells break down, recycle, and consume damaged, dead, irreparable, disease-ridden, or abnormal cells within the body.
The autophagy process is highly beneficial for health conditions such as hormonal imbalances, obesity, degenerative diseases, including cancer. Some believe that the autophagy process can be activated by fasting for 12–24 hours. However, in the GF method, to ensure that this autophagy process truly occurs (not just an assumption), we practice a minimum of 16 hours of fasting.
Therefore, the way to implement GF is to fast from consuming any food for 16 hours, except for drinking plain water, as water does not interrupt the autophagy process. For example: After having dinner at 7:00 PM, you can only break your fast 16 hours later, which would be at 11:00 AM. So, in this case, you skip breakfast and start eating at 11:00 AM.
To help cleanse the body and rest your digestive system, practice Goodway Fasting (GF) at least twice a week, such as fasting on Mondays and Thursdays.
What is the Mechanism of Autophagy?
The mechanism of autophagy was elucidated by Nobel laureate Professor Yoshinori Ohsumi of Japan. Ohsumi explained that through autophagy, cells can isolate damaged, dead, irreparable, disease-infected, or infected parts of themselves. After isolating these problematic parts, cells then break them down into non-harmful components and recycle them to produce energy within the cell.
From this mechanism, damaged cell components are rebuilt and renewed. In the case of infected cells, autophagy can also eliminate bacteria or viruses that are infecting the cell.
The key to activating the autophagy process in cells is when the body does not receive nutrition for 12–24 hours. So, if we fast without consuming any food for 12–24 hours (but can drink plain water), this signals to the brain that the body is in need of food and must search for remaining sources of nutrition within itself.
This signal activates the autophagy process, and cells start breaking down damaged or old proteins within the body. When insulin levels in the body decrease, glucagon begins to work and cleans up dead or damaged cell remnants.
Ensure that during this fasting period, you do not consume any food or supplements other than plain water to prevent the autophagy process from being interrupted.
What Are the Benefits of Autophagy in Goodway Fasting?
1. Enhances anti-aging, keeping you looking youthful.
2. Removes toxic proteins from cells associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
3. Recycles residual proteins.
4. Normalizes body weight.
5. Provides energy and protective barriers for repairable cells.
6. Promotes regeneration and healthy cell growth.
7. Reconstructs abnormal cells like cancer cells into non-harmful and more beneficial cells for the body.
8. Protects the nervous system and encourages the growth of brain and nerve cells. Autophagy appears to improve cognitive function, brain structure, and neuroplasticity.
9. Supports the growth of heart cells and protects against heart disease.
10. Boosts the immune system by eliminating intracellular pathogens.
11. Protects DNA stability.
12. Prevents damage to healthy tissues and organs (known as necrosis).
Pure Coconut Oil Aids in a More Comfortable Autophagy Process
Of course, fasting without eating (but still drinking plain water) can make you feel weak, and you may be concerned that it will disrupt your work. To reduce this weakness, you can consume 2 tablespoons of pure coconut oil or VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil) before starting your fast.
But make sure the VCO you consume is genuine, organic, not rancid, not heated, and not adulterated so that your efforts are not in vain.
