Intermittent Fasting & Autophagy Calculator: Unlock Cellular Repair (2026)

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Intermittent Fasting & Autophagy Calculator: Unlock Cellular Repair (2026)

Most people treat food like a constant IV drip. They eat from the moment they wake up until they sleep. As a result, their bodies never enter “Maintenance Mode”.

Autophagy (from the Greek “Self-Eating”) is the body’s internal recycling mechanism. It cleans out damaged cells, senescent proteins (zombie cells), and viruses. But it only happens when Insulin is near zero.

At ShockTrail, we view fasting not as starvation, but as a system reboot.

The Metabolic State Calculator

Input the hours since your last calorie intake to see what your biology is doing right now.

🧬 Metabolic State Analyzer

Hours Since Last Meal

Primary Goal

Current Biological Phase

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FAQ: Biohacking & Fasting

Strictly speaking (for gut rest), yes. For fat loss? No. Black coffee has negligible calories and actually boosts metabolic rate. Just avoid sugar and milk.

Not if you keep protein high during your eating window. Fasting actually increases Human Growth Hormone (HGH) by up to 500%, which protects muscle tissue from breakdown (catabolism).

Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium. When insulin drops during a fast, your kidneys flush out water and salts. You MUST replenish these to avoid the "Keto Flu" (headaches/fatigue).

The 5 Stages of Fasting: A Timeline

Your body is a hybrid engine. It runs on Sugar (Glucose) or Fat (Ketones). Here is exactly what happens when you switch fuels, verified by data from the NIH (National Institutes of Health).

Hour Mark	Phase Name	Primary Benefit
0 – 4 Hours	Fed State	Nutrient absorption. Insulin spike.
12 – 16 Hours	Ketosis Begins	Fat burning starts. Mental clarity improves.
18 – 24 Hours	Autophagy	Cellular cleanup. Removal of “junk” proteins.
48 Hours+	Stem Cell Regen	Immune system reset. Dopamine receptor reset.

Real World Protocols: Which One Fits You?

We analyzed three common protocols used by high-performers.

1. The “16:8” (Leangains)

Protocol: Fast for 16 hours, Eat for 8 hours. (e.g., Skip breakfast, eat 12pm-8pm).
Result: Sustainable fat loss. Easy to maintain socially. Great for maintaining muscle mass (Calculate your Macros here).

2. The “OMAD” (One Meal A Day)

Protocol: Fast for 23 hours, Eat for 1 hour.
Result: Rapid fat loss. Intense mental focus during the day. Digestion can be heavy during the one meal.

3. The “Monk Fast” (36 Hours)

Protocol: Stop eating Sunday night. Don’t eat all Monday. Eat Tuesday morning.
Result: Deep Autophagy. Done once a week for longevity and cancer prevention benefits.

Curiosities & Science Facts

🏆 Nobel Prize Winning Science

In 2016, Yoshinori Ohsumi won the Nobel Prize in Physiology for discovering the mechanisms of Autophagy. This proved that fasting isn’t “bro-science”; it is a fundamental biological necessity.

🧠 BDNF (Fertilizer for the Brain)

Fasting increases Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). This protein promotes the growth of new neurons. It effectively makes you smarter and protects against Alzheimer’s.

FAQ: Mastering the Fast

Top questions from the ShockTrail Force community.

1. Can I take supplements while fasting?

Vitamins? Yes. Electrolytes? Yes (Recommended). BCAA or Whey Protein? NO. Amino acids spike insulin and stop Autophagy instantly.

2. Is fasting different for women?

Yes. Women’s hormones (cortisol/progesterone) are more sensitive to starvation signals. We recommend “Crescendo Fasting” (fasting every other day) rather than daily 16:8 for some women.

3. Does Zero Calorie Soda break a fast?

Controversial. It has no calories, so it fits “weight loss”. However, artificial sweeteners (Aspartame) can trigger an insulin response in the brain and harm gut bacteria, stopping the deep benefits.

4. How do I break a long fast?

Gently. Do not eat a pizza. Start with Bone Broth or a small amount of protein (eggs) to wake up digestion. Eating carbs too fast can cause “Refeeding Syndrome”.

5. Can I workout while fasting?

Absolutely. Training in a fasted state accelerates fat oxidation. Just ensure you hydrate with electrolytes.

6. What is “Dirty Fasting”?

Allowing small amounts of calories (like cream in coffee) up to 50 calories. It keeps you in weight loss mode but likely stops Autophagy.

7. Will my metabolism slow down?

Short term fasting (up to 72h) *increases* metabolism due to adrenaline. Long term chronic calorie restriction (dieting without fasting) slows metabolism.

8. Does it help with loose skin?

There is anecdotal evidence that Autophagy helps the body break down excess skin tissue during rapid weight loss, unlike traditional dieting.

9. Why do I get a headache?

Sodium deficiency. You are not dehydrated; you are de-salted. Take a pinch of pink salt or an electrolyte supplement.

10. What is “Dry Fasting”?

No food, no water. Highly dangerous and advanced. We do not recommend this without medical supervision.

Urban Wellness & Dining

Breaking a fast in style? If you are in NYC and looking for high-quality organic dining options to refuel, check the lifestyle guides at AZNewYork.com.

Article by the ShockTrail Force Division. Consult a doctor before fasting.

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