DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/dmj.v15i5.54224

THE ROLE OF AUTOPHAGY AND INTERMITTENT FASTING IN METABOLIC HEALTH : A SCOPING REVIEW

Nuni Ihsana  -  Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
*Dewi Yuniasih orcid scopus  -  Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
Adnan Abdullah orcid  -  Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
Agus Sukaca  -  Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
Ario Tejosukmono orcid  -  Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
Annisa Annisa  -  Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
Bella Samapta Palupi  -  Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
Wildan Fandi Farihan  -  Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
Adila Putri Sholihah  -  Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
Open Access Copyright 2026 Nuni Ihsana, Adnan Abdullah, Ario Tejosukmono, Dewi Yuniasih, Bella Samapta Palupi, Wildan Fandi Farihan, Adila Putri Sholihah
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

Background: Intermittent fasting (IF) and autophagy have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their potential therapeutic effects on metabolic health and chronic diseases. Autophagy, a crucial cellular process for maintaining homeostasis, is closely linked with the metabolic changes induced by intermittent fasting. This scoping review aims to explore and summarize the existing literature on the relationship between IF and autophagy, particularly in the context of metabolic and medical research. Methods: A Scopus search identified 158 articles. After applying filters for publication year, article type, language, and medical relevance, 18 articles met the criteria for screening. Following title, abstract, and full-text assessment, 14 studies were included in this review. Results: Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Most demonstrated that intermittent fasting (IF) enhances autophagy, although a few reported inconsistent effects. IF also produced several health benefits, including improved metabolic outcomes, weight reduction, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, neuroprotection, and cardiovascular improvements. Some studies showed limited effectiveness of IF under specific conditions, while others compared IF with alternative interventions and reported mixed advantages. Overall, the evidence supports IF as a promising non-pharmacological strategy to modulate autophagy and improve metabolic and cellular health. Conclusion: The studies reviewed highlight the beneficial effects of IF on autophagy, particularly metabolic diseases and aging. This review emphasizes the need for more targeted studies to fully understand the role of IF in modulating autophagy and its broader health implications.

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Keywords: Keywords: Autophagy; Chronic diseases; Intermittent fasting; Metabolic health; Scoping review

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Section: Original Articles
Language : EN
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