My 12-Year Autophagy Journey: A Tool That Transformed My Life and Over 500 Clients
I am Melissa McLane, a Board Certified Functional Nutritional Practitioner and founder of Life Wellness Lab. For more than 12 years I have been living and guiding others through the practice of using food, fasting, and cellular repair to transform health. Over 500 people have walked this journey with me, and the results continue to inspire me every day.What Autophagy Is
Autophagy is your body’s natural clean up crew. It is the process where your cells recycle old or damaged parts and make room for healthier, stronger ones. Think of it as your body’s way of taking out the trash so inflammation drops, metabolism works better, and longevity improves.
Research over the last two decades shows that autophagy is critical for:
Lowering inflammation by breaking down damaged proteins and cellular debris.
Restoring metabolic balance by regulating blood sugar, improving insulin sensitivity, and supporting fat burning.
Supporting brain health by clearing toxic proteins linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
Extending longevity, as shown in animal models where activating autophagy led to longer lifespan and healthier aging.
The 2016 Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi for his discoveries in autophagy, confirming how vital this process is for human health. Since then, research has reinforced that autophagy is not optional. It is one of the body’s most powerful repair systems.
Further Reading
Calorie restriction induces autophagy across tissues (Ageing Research Reviews)
Autophagy and metabolic health: link to insulin resistance (Frontiers in Endocrinology)
Calorie restriction, autophagy, and primate longevity (Nature Communications)
Autophagy biomarkers in healthy centenarians (Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology)
Human Nature and Why Intention Matters
Human nature often pushes us toward quick fixes or comfort. We want the easiest path, the fastest result, and the least discomfort. But the body does not heal on shortcuts. It heals when we create space for repair.
This is why starting with intention matters. Intention changes everything. When you set aside time for a reset, you are not just going without or trying a program. You are signaling to your body and mind that this is for renewal, not deprivation.
Intention also helps you through the uncomfortable moments, like when hunger strikes on day two of ProLon, or when energy dips before your body fully shifts into repair mode. With intention, those moments become part of the process, not a reason to stop.
When you frame a reset this way, it becomes less about willpower and more about alignment. You are choosing long term health over short term comfort. You are investing in longevity, clarity, and energy that carry into every part of your life.
ProLon: A Tool I Use and Recommend
One of the most approachable ways to activate autophagy is the ProLon Fasting Mimicking Diet. It is a five day, plant based meal program that delivers fasting benefits while you still eat carefully selected foods.
How to Get Ready
Choose a five day stretch without major events or travel.Ease in for one to two days by reducing caffeine, alcohol, and heavy meals.Hydrate well, aiming for sixty four to eighty ounces daily.Set your mindset. This is a cellular reset, not deprivation.
What to Expect Each Day
Day one is about 1,100 calories. Most people feel comfortable and notice a gentle shift.Days two and three are about 750 calories. Your body moves into deeper fat burning and autophagy. Hunger or lower energy may show up, so hydrate and allow more rest.Days four and five often bring greater mental clarity and steadier energy as cellular repair continues. Day six is the transition day. Reintroduce food with light, simple meals such as broths, vegetables, and easy proteins. Keep portions small for the first half day, then resume a healthy pattern the next day.
Each ProLon kit comes with five individual day boxes. You simply eat what is included in that day’s box and nothing extra. Water and herbal tea are always allowed, and if needed you may have one cup of plain coffee or tea per day. On days two through five, you will prepare the L-Drink in the provided bottle, fill it to the weight mark, and sip it slowly throughout the day. If you start to feel lightheaded or off, adding a small amount of electrolytes can help, since mineral depletion is common when the body shifts into ketosis.
My Experience and What Most People Feel
I have guided hundreds of people through this reset and done it myself many times. The common pattern is the same. A smooth first day. A more challenging window during days two and three. Then a lift in mood and clarity by days four and five. I notice less puffiness, calmer digestion, and the brain fog lifts. Energy becomes more even. If hunger spikes, warm tea, a slow walk, and quiet time usually settle the system. Gentle movement is fine. Save intense training for the week after.
How Often to Do It
Most people do well with two ProLon cycles each year as a seasonal reset. Some prefer quarterly. Choose the cadence that fits your goals and your calendar. Depending on your health goals and condition.
Safety
The company advises supervision for people with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, kidney or liver disease, a history of fainting, and for those under eighteen or over seventy. Avoid alcohol, strenuous exercise, and extreme heat or cold during the five days. If significant symptoms occur, stop and contact your provider.
Order Links and Simple Tracking
If you want to experience ProLon for yourself you can order it here: Order Your ProLon Kit
If you want data to confirm you are in a repair state, track your Glucose Ketone Index with the Keto Mojo meter. I aim for a GKI under 5 when I want full fat burning and cellular clean up. Get Your Keto Mojo Meter
Join the next Group Fast
I share day by day tips and quick videos on social. Look for ProLon weeks, daily check ins, and simple prep ideas. If you want reminders for the next community reset email [email protected] and we will add you to the list.
Coming Soon
On October 27th I will be teaching a full webinar all about ProLon. This will be a chance to learn how it works, how to prepare, what to expect each day, and how to get the best results.
In November join our next ProLon Group Fasting on November 9.
In January 2026 I will be sharing more on how to integrate autophagy, fasting, and cellular repair into real life. If you would like to learn more, email me at [email protected] and I will keep you updated.
In the meantime, if you are ready to begin your own reset:
