In the world of science, autophagy is a process that occurs in all cells of the body. Its primary function is to recycle damaged components and build new molecules, which helps renew cells and maintain balance between protein synthesis and degradation. This process was first identified in 1960, but its importance was not recognized until 1990 by Japanese scientist Yahinori Ohsumi, who received the Nobel Prize in 2016 for his work.
The word “autophagy” comes from Greek and refers to the idea of self-cannibalism, where cells break down damaged proteins to form new molecules via sacs called lysosomes. In recent years, autophagy has been associated with maintaining a youthful appearance in the beauty industry. However, its significance extends beyond cosmetics and reaches conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases.
In the nervous system, where neurons do not divide and live for many years, an efficient autophagy process is crucial to renew cell components and maintain balance between protein synthesis and degradation. As aging occurs, cells lose efficiency in degrading damaged content, leading to various health issues. Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are associated with the accumulation of proteins that hinder the autophagy process, resulting in neurodegeneration. Researchers track autophagy levels in cells to monitor its quality and efficiency, especially in acute conditions like brain injury or insulin overload.
Recent studies have focused on enhancing autophagy performance through molecules like beta-hydroxybutyrate. Beta-hydroxybutyrate has shown to improve the autophagy process by recycling damaged components and building new molecules, potentially benefiting conditions related to aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Despite ongoing studies
