When you fast, your body doesn’t just pause; it shifts into a different mode entirely. One of the most powerful things it does during that window is trigger a process called mitophagy. And if you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone.
But understanding it might change how you think about fasting altogether.
What Is Mitophagy?
Mitophagy is the removal of damaged mitochondria through autophagy. This is your body’s way of maintaining healthy cellular function. Think of it as a quiet, precise process of renewal: the old and dysfunctional are cleared out, making room for mitochondria that work better.
Mitochondria are the energy centres of your cells. When they’re damaged, they don’t just underperform, they actively contribute to inflammation, fatigue, and accelerated aging. Mitophagy is how your body keeps them in check.
Better mitochondria means more energy, less inflammation, and a body that ages more slowly. It’s not a theory, it’s cellular biology.
What Fasting Has to Do With It
Fasting is one of the most natural and well-researched triggers of mitophagy. When your body isn’t focused on digestion, it redirects energy toward internal maintenance, and that includes clearing out compromised mitochondria.
This is part of why many people feel sharper, lighter, and more energised as they progress through a fasting period. It’s not just the absence of food. It’s your cells actively doing the work.
IHHT: Accelerating What Fasting Starts
Fasting initiates the process. IHHT — Intermittent Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Training takes it further.
IHHT works by alternating between lower and higher oxygen concentrations in a controlled, restful setting. This gentle variation creates a mild cellular stress that stimulates your mitochondria to adapt, clearing out the damaged ones and strengthening those that remain.
When paired with fasting, the two work in the same direction. Fasting puts your cells in repair mode. IHHT deepens that signal. The result is a more complete mitochondrial renewal; which translates to better energy, reduced inflammation, and improved metabolic function over time.
What This Looks Like in Practice
An IHHT session at AKARI lasts 45 minutes. You rest in a comfortable chair, breathe through a mask, and let the protocol do its work. There’s no exertion, no recovery time. Most people describe it as deeply calming.
For those who fast regularly, whether as a lifestyle practice or during a religious observance, IHHT offers a way to amplify the cellular work that’s already happening. You’re not adding a burden to your body. You’re supporting a process that’s already underway.
Your body already knows how to heal. Sometimes it just needs the right conditions.
Scientific References
[1] The effect of fasting or calorie restriction on mitophagy induction: a literature review — Mehrabani et al. (2020). Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle / PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32856431/
[2] Fasting activates optineurin-mediated mitophagy in chondrocytes to protect against osteoarthritis — Communications Biology, Nature (2025). https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-025-07541-x
[3] Mechanistic insights into fasting-induced autophagy in the aging heart — World Journal of Gastroenterology, PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10989221/
[4] Effectiveness of Intermittent Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Therapy in Different Pathologies with Possible Metabolic Implications — MDPI, PMC (2023). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9961389/
[5] Adaptations following an intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia training in coronary artery disease patients: a controlled study — Glazachev et al. (2017). Clinical Cardiology / PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28323322/
[6] Safety and Efficacy of Intermittent Hypoxia Conditioning as a New Rehabilitation Strategy for Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis — PMC (2022). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8950503/
[7] Effects of Intermittent Hypoxia in Training Regimes on Aging Biomarkers and Age-Related Diseases: A Systematic Review — PMC (2022). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9168371/