Intermittent Fasting & Autophagy Window Tracker
Track intermittent fasting hours (16:8, 18:6, OMAD), metabolic ketosis onset, cellular autophagy timeline, and insulin depletion stages.
Calculated Results
Frequently Asked Questions
What biological milestones occur during a 16-hour fast?
Hours 0-4: Digestion & insulin surge; Hours 4-12: Blood sugar normalizes and liver glycogen burns; Hours 12-16: Ketosis begins as fatty acids break down into ketones; Hours 16-24: Autophagy accelerates, recycling damaged cellular proteins.
What breaks an intermittent fast?
Any food, creamer, sugar, or drink containing calories (above 5 to 10 kcal) or amino acids (like BCAAs) triggers an insulin spike and mTOR activation, interrupting the fast. Black coffee, plain green tea, and zero-calorie mineral water do not break a fast.
What are the primary health benefits of cellular autophagy?
Autophagy ('self-eating') is your cells' evolutionary garbage disposal mechanism. In deep fasting, cells break down misfolded proteins, dysfunctional mitochondria (mitophagy), and virus fragments, reducing inflammation and neurodegenerative risks.
How do electrolytes help during extended fasts?
When insulin drops during fasting, the kidneys excrete sodium, potassium, and water at accelerated rates. Taking a pinch of sea salt and potassium prevents fasting headaches, fatigue, muscle cramps, and dizziness.