Cellular Repair · Anti-Aging Science
Autophagy Calculator
Autophagy — your body's cellular self-cleaning mechanism — activates at approximately 16 hours of fasting. Calculate your schedule to hit and maintain the autophagy window.
Step 1 — Choose Your Protocol
Intermediate — fast 18h, eat within a 6h window.
Step 2 — Personalise Your Schedule
Your eating window starts from this time
🎯 Your Goal
⏱ Fasting Stages
What Happens Inside Your Body
Live biological stages during your 18-hour fast — each backed by peer-reviewed research.
Last Meal Completed
+0hYour fasting clock starts now. Digestion begins and your body processes the glucose from your last meal.
📄 Mayo ClinicDigestion Phase
+2hBlood glucose peaks and insulin is released. Your body is actively digesting and storing nutrients from the last meal.
📄 NIH — Metabolism OverviewBlood Sugar Stabilizing
+4hInsulin levels begin to drop. Blood sugar returns toward baseline. Your body shifts from storing to maintaining.
📄 PubMed — Insulin & Glucose DynamicsGlycogen Depleting
+8hLiver glycogen stores are running low. Your body begins mobilising free fatty acids as an alternative fuel source.
📄 Cahill GF Jr — NEJM 1970🔥 Ketosis Begins
+12hGlycogen stores are nearly depleted. Your liver starts producing ketone bodies from fat — your brain switches to fat-burning mode.
📄 Cahill GF Jr — NEJM 1970✨ Autophagy Activates
+16hCellular housekeeping begins. Your cells start breaking down damaged proteins and organelles — a key anti-aging mechanism.
📄 Levine & Kroemer — Cell 2008* Biological timelines are approximate and vary by individual. Sources: PubMed, NIH, Cell journal.
When Does Autophagy Start?
Autophagy (from Greek: self-eating) is the process by which cells break down and recycle damaged components. It was the subject of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (Yoshinori Ohsumi).
Source: Levine & Kroemer — Cell 2008
Medical Disclaimer
This tool provides estimates for informational purposes only. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before beginning any fasting protocol — especially if you are pregnant, have a history of eating disorders, diabetes, or any other medical condition.
Sources: Mayo Clinic · NIH · PubMed