Sonali Bendre’s Health Journey: Discussing Intermittent Fasting and Autophagy

Sonali Bendre’s health journey

Actress Sonali Bendre recently opened up about her health journey and eating habits. After facing stage-4 metastatic cancer in 2018, Sonali revealed that she now does intermittent fasting for 18 to 20 hours. She said she usually eats once or twice a day and focuses on balanced and mindful eating instead of frequent binges. Research related to autophagy has helped in understanding their health journey.

process of autophagy

After Sonali’s statement, discussion on autophagy has increased. According to nutritionists, autophagy is a natural process in which parts of old or damaged cells are broken down and reused. This process is helpful in keeping the cells healthy. Experts say that eating more can slow down the process, while a balanced diet and regular physical activity can improve it.

Fasting is not a cure for cancer

Health experts have clarified that autophagy or intermittent fasting cannot be considered an option for cancer treatment. According to medical oncologist Dr. Veenu Aggarwal, autophagy is still a subject of research and evidence-based therapy is necessary to overcome cancer. Doctors said it would not be right to link any person’s recovery only to fasting or autophagy.


Long fasts not for everyone

Experts say that fasting for 18-20 hours is not safe for everyone. Especially diabetic patients, pregnant women, elderly people and people recovering from serious illness should not observe such a fast without medical advice. Not eating for a long time can increase the risk of deficiency of essential nutrients in the body.

Not the only solution for weight loss

Intermittent fasting has grown in popularity, but experts believe that just being hungry for a long period of time does not lead to weight loss. If more calories are consumed in a prescribed period, weight may increase. A person who eats a balanced diet and in controlled quantities can maintain a healthy weight even by following a normal routine.


Balanced lifestyle advice

Doctors suggest that if a person wants to adopt intermittent fasting, they should start with mild changes. A gap of 12-14 hours between dinner and breakfast, avoiding late night snacking, adequate protein, green vegetables, fiber-rich food and regular exercise are considered more sustainable and safe options. According to experts, it is better to seek advice from a doctor or a nutritionist rather than adopting a celebrity’s lifestyle without understanding the individual health condition.

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