Autophagy
The cellular self-cleaning process by which cells break down and recycle damaged proteins, organelles, and other cellular debris.
Autophagy is considered a key longevity mechanism — impaired autophagy is associated with aging, neurodegeneration, and metabolic disease, while enhanced autophagy is linked to cellular health and extended lifespan in animal models. Several peptides studied in the longevity space, including Epithalon, are thought to interact with pathways that influence autophagic activity.
The process involves the formation of a double-membrane vesicle (autophagosome) that engulfs cellular waste and delivers it to lysosomes for degradation and recycling. Researchers investigating anti-aging peptides often examine autophagy markers as a readout of cellular health and rejuvenation.