Can autophagy reset help me with lung cancer at 62?

Question

Hello Doctor,

I am 62 years old and currently fighting metastatic lung cancer. I have been reading about "autophagy reset" as a way the body cleans damaged cells, and some sources claim it can help cancer patients.

Can autophagy reset help a 62-year-old lung cancer patient fighting a metastatic disease like mine?
Is there any scientific evidence supporting this?

I am already on chemotherapy and want to know if attempting autophagy through fasting or other methods could interfere with my treatment or potentially offer any additional benefit to my recovery plan.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com

I have read your query and understand your concern.

I wish you good health and a speedy recovery. Initially, I want to tell you that I understand the fear and anxiety you felt after being diagnosed with lung cancer, which naturally makes you think about many things. The fact that you are receiving chemotherapy is actually a good sign, meaning your condition is good enough, and your doctor decided to give chemotherapy to control the tumor.

Chemotherapy (which kills rapidly dividing cells) can cause some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite, which may affect your general condition, but I want to reassure you that these effects are reversible and disappear once chemotherapy is stopped.

Regarding your question about autophagy (the body's cellular recycling), it is a good approach, but usually when we are not receiving chemotherapy or medications that cause fatigue, because autophagy (the body's cellular recycling) requires fasting for more than seventeen hours to allow the body to interact with the tumor or active cells, it would be more suitable in advanced stages or after finishing chemotherapy during resting time.

At that point you could try intermittent fasting, autophagy, lifestyle changes, antioxidants, or herbal therapy; however, at the current stage while you are receiving chemotherapy, we cannot recommend that because you need proper nutrition and frequent meals since large meals may worsen nausea and vomiting, so we advise eating small, frequent meals including well-washed fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of water to help the body eliminate toxins.

Therefore, prolonged fasting, such as autophagy (seventeen hours) or intermittent fasting, is not recommended during chemotherapy, and the focus should be on balanced nutrition with small, frequent meals.

Hope I have addressed all of your queries and concerns.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.