What Supplements Break a Fast? The Complete Evidence-Based Guide (2026)
You wake up at 6 AM. Your eating window does not open until noon. On the counter: a row of supplement bottles. NMN. Magnesium. Fish oil. Creatine. Vitamin D. A greens powder. You are 14 hours into a fast and you have one question: which of these can I take right now without ruining everything?
The internet is not helpful. One article says anything under 50 calories is fine. Another says a single amino acid destroys autophagy. A third says black coffee "technically" breaks a fast but nobody cares. The confusion is not your fault — the answer genuinely depends on why you are fasting and which molecular pathway you are trying to protect.
This guide resolves the ambiguity. We will define what "breaking a fast" actually means at the cellular level, categorize every major supplement by its fasting impact, and give you a practical decision framework backed by published research.
TL;DR
- "Breaking a fast" is not binary — it depends on which pathway you care about: insulin/blood glucose, mTOR/protein synthesis, or autophagy
- Insulin pathway: anything with calories or amino acids can trigger an insulin response, but the threshold is roughly 1-2 g of protein or sugar — most zero-calorie supplements are safe
- mTOR pathway: amino acids (especially leucine) activate mTOR even in small amounts; Sestrin2 detects leucine at ~20 micromolar concentrations
- Autophagy pathway: the most sensitive — any nutrient signal can suppress autophagy via mTOR activation or AMPK inhibition
- Pure, calorie-free compounds (NMN, creatine, electrolytes, water-soluble vitamins) do not meaningfully break a fast
- Fat-soluble supplements (CoQ10, vitamin D, omega-3, resveratrol) should be taken with food anyway — not because they break the fast, but because they will not absorb without dietary fat
- Polyphenols (quercetin, curcumin, EGCG) may actually enhance the fasted state by activating AMPK and inhibiting mTOR
- Protein powders, collagen peptides, and BCAAs definitively break a fast on every metric
What "Breaking a Fast" Actually Means — Three Pathways, Three Thresholds
Most fasting guides treat "breaking a fast" as a single event with a single threshold. It is not. Your body runs on parallel signaling systems, each with different sensitivity to incoming nutrients. A supplement can leave one pathway undisturbed while fully activating another.
The three pathways that matter:
1. Insulin and blood glucose. This is the pathway most intermittent fasters care about. When you eat, your pancreas releases insulin (a hormone that signals cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream and store energy). Insulin suppresses fat oxidation (the process of burning stored fat for energy) and shifts metabolism toward storage. Most IF practitioners want to keep insulin low during their fasting window.
2. mTOR (mechanistic Target of Rapamycin — a protein complex that senses nutrients and drives cell growth). When amino acids, especially leucine, are present in the bloodstream, mTOR activates. This shifts the cell from repair mode to growth mode — building new proteins, suppressing quality control. If your goal is longevity-focused fasting, mTOR suppression matters as much as insulin.
3. Autophagy (your cells' self-cleaning process — recycling damaged proteins and organelles into reusable components). Autophagy is the most sensitive pathway. It requires both low mTOR and active AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase — an enzyme that senses low cellular energy and triggers repair processes). Even small nutrient signals can suppress autophagy before they meaningfully affect insulin or blood glucose.
Key Takeaway: There is no single answer to "does this break my fast?" because fasting engages at least three independent pathways with different sensitivities. A supplement that has zero effect on blood glucose can still suppress autophagy if it delivers amino acids that activate mTOR. Define your fasting goal first, then evaluate supplements against the relevant pathway.
The Caloric Threshold Myth
You have probably seen the claim: "anything under 50 calories will not break your fast." This is a practical heuristic, not a biochemical fact. No peer-reviewed study has established a universal caloric threshold for fasting disruption.
Here is what the research actually shows:
For insulin: A meta-analysis of artificial sweetener studies found that zero-calorie sweeteners produce negligible insulin responses — a mean change of just -2.39 pmol/L compared to control (Greyling et al., 2020; PMID 32672338, 45 RCTs). This suggests that calorie-free compounds genuinely do not disturb insulin signaling. But even small amounts of protein (1-3 g) or sugar can provoke a measurable insulin response.
For mTOR: The threshold is not caloric — it is amino acid-specific. Wolfson et al. (2016) demonstrated that the protein Sestrin2 acts as a direct leucine sensor for the mTORC1 pathway, binding leucine at a dissociation constant of ~20 micromolar (PMID 26449471). This means cells detect leucine at remarkably low concentrations. A 2024 Nature Metabolism study found that protein intake exceeding approximately 25 grams per meal activates mTOR signaling in monocytes — establishing a meal-level threshold, not a calorie-level one (Zhang et al., 2024; PMID 38409323).
For autophagy: Alirezaei et al. (2010) showed that short-term fasting induces a dramatic upregulation of neuronal autophagy in mice — approximately a four-fold increase in autophagosomes — which was rapidly reversed upon refeeding (PMID 20534972). Bagherniya et al. (2018) reviewed the literature and concluded that autophagy is "induced in a wide variety of tissues and organs in response to food deprivation" and suppressed upon nutrient reintroduction (PMID 30172870). The implication: autophagy is binary in a way that insulin is not. Nutrient signals suppress it; their absence permits it.
The honest summary: There is no magic calorie number. Zero-calorie, non-amino-acid compounds are genuinely fasting-safe across all three pathways. Once you introduce calories, amino acids, or insulin-stimulating compounds, you are on a spectrum — and the most conservative pathway (autophagy) is disrupted first.
The Complete Supplement Fasting Cheat Sheet
This table classifies common supplements by their impact on fasting across all three pathways. "Breaks fast" means it meaningfully activates the pathway; "Safe" means negligible impact; "Gray area" means the evidence is mixed or dose-dependent.
| Supplement | Insulin Response | mTOR Activation | Autophagy Impact | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NMN | Safe — no calories, no amino acids | Safe — no mTOR activation | Safe — may support NAD+ during fasting | Take fasted or fed |
| Creatine | Safe — zero calories | Safe — no amino acid signaling | Safe — no nutrient signal | Take fasted or fed |
| Electrolytes (Na, K, Mg, Ca) | Safe — zero calories | Safe | Safe | Take fasted |
| Vitamin B complex | Safe — water-soluble, zero cal | Safe | Safe | Take fasted |
| Vitamin C | Safe — water-soluble, zero cal | Safe | Safe | Take fasted |
| Magnesium (citrate/glycinate) | Safe — negligible calories | Safe | Safe | Take fasted |
| Caffeine (black coffee/tea) | Safe — negligible cal | Safe — may inhibit mTOR | Enhances — activates AMPK | Take fasted |
| Quercetin / Curcumin / EGCG | Safe — negligible calories | Inhibits mTOR | Enhances — AMPK activation | Take fasted (but see absorption note) |
| CoQ10 / Ubiquinol | Negligible | Safe | Safe | Take with food (needs fat) |
| Vitamin D | Negligible | Safe | Safe | Take with food (needs fat) |
| Omega-3 / Fish oil | Mild — contains ~10-40 cal | Low | Gray area — contains fat calories | Take with food (needs fat) |
| Resveratrol | Negligible | May inhibit mTOR | May enhance | Take with food (lipophilic) |
| Collagen peptides | Breaks — 35-40 cal, amino acids | Breaks — amino acid load | Breaks — nutrient signal | Take with food only |
| BCAAs | Breaks — triggers insulin | Breaks — leucine activates mTOR | Breaks — full nutrient signal | Take with food only |
| Protein powder | Breaks — insulin spike | Breaks — high leucine | Breaks — suppresses autophagy | Take with food only |
| Greens powder | Gray area — varies by brand | Gray area — check amino acid content | Gray area — depends on formula | Check label; most break fast |
| Multivitamin (with fillers) | Gray area — check for sugars/starch | Usually safe | Usually safe | Check label for calories |
| Apple cider vinegar | Safe — negligible cal | Safe | Safe | Take fasted |
Key Takeaway: The critical dividing line is amino acids. Anything containing protein, peptides, or branched-chain amino acids will activate mTOR and suppress autophagy regardless of calorie count. Zero-calorie, non-amino-acid compounds are safe across all fasting pathways. Fat-soluble compounds are technically safe during fasting but should be taken with meals for absorption — not fasting compliance — reasons.
Why Amino Acids Are the Real Fast-Breaker
Calories get all the attention, but amino acids are the primary signal that shifts your body from repair mode to growth mode. Understanding why requires a brief look at how cells sense nutrients.
Your cells do not have a calorie counter. They have molecular sensors — proteins that detect the presence of specific nutrients and relay the information to growth-control systems. The most important of these is the Sestrin2-GATOR2-mTORC1 axis.
Here is how it works:
- When leucine is absent (during fasting), the protein Sestrin2 binds to and inhibits GATOR2, a protein complex that normally activates mTORC1. Result: mTOR stays off, autophagy proceeds.
- When leucine arrives (from food, protein supplements, or BCAAs), it binds directly to Sestrin2 at a pocket with ~20 micromolar affinity. This causes Sestrin2 to release GATOR2. GATOR2 then activates mTORC1. Result: mTOR turns on, autophagy stops, protein synthesis begins.
This system is exquisitely sensitive. Wolfson et al. (2016) demonstrated in Science that leucine is "by far the most robust mTORC1 inducer, activating mTORC1 nearly 4-fold above other amino acids" (PMID 26449471). The structural basis was published simultaneously by Saxton et al. (2016), showing that Sestrin2's leucine-binding pocket is specifically shaped to exclude most other amino acids (PMID 26586190).
What this means practically:
- Collagen peptides (glycine, proline, hydroxyproline) are weaker mTOR activators than whey protein because they contain minimal leucine. But they still deliver amino acids, still trigger an insulin response, and still provide a nutrient signal that suppresses autophagy. They break a fast.
- BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, valine) are the strongest fast-breakers per gram because leucine directly activates the mTOR pathway. Moberg et al. (2016) showed that leucine alone activated S6K1 (a downstream mTOR target) following exercise, but essential amino acids produced a nine-fold increase (PMID 27053525).
- A 10 g scoop of collagen in your morning coffee is not a "fasting hack." It is a small meal that suppresses autophagy and activates growth signaling. If autophagy is your goal, skip it.
Fat-Soluble Supplements: Not a Fasting Problem — An Absorption Problem
Here is a common misconception: "fat-soluble supplements break my fast because they contain fat." Most do not contain meaningful calories. The issue is not that they break your fast — it is that they will not work without fat.
Fat-soluble compounds (CoQ10, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, omega-3 fatty acids, and lipophilic polyphenols like resveratrol) require bile acids (digestive compounds your liver produces to emulsify dietary fat) and mixed micelles (tiny fat-and-water structures that ferry nutrients across the intestinal wall) for absorption. Without dietary fat to trigger bile release, these compounds pass through your GI tract largely unabsorbed.
The evidence is clear:
- Vitamin D: Dawson-Hughes et al. (2015) randomized 50 healthy older adults to take 50,000 IU vitamin D3 with either fat-free or fat-containing meals. Peak plasma vitamin D3 was 32% higher with fat-containing meals (p=0.003) (PMID 25441954).
- Omega-3: Lapointe et al. (2019) found that ethyl ester omega-3 formulations showed 25-fold higher absorption (AUC) in the fed versus fasted state. Even phospholipid formulations showed 1.7-fold higher absorption with food (PMID 30799231).
- Resveratrol: Walle et al. (2004) demonstrated that while oral resveratrol shows ~70% intestinal uptake, less than 1% reaches plasma in active form due to rapid first-pass metabolism (PMID 15333514). Lipid-based delivery systems improve this substantially, but they require a lipid environment to function.
- CoQ10: Ubiquinol is a fat-soluble molecule. Without dietary fat, absorption drops by up to 75%. This is why CoQ10 timing always centers on meals — not because it breaks your fast, but because taking it fasted wastes most of the dose.
The practical rule: Save fat-soluble supplements for your eating window. Not because they break your fast, but because you are throwing money away if you take them without food.
Key Takeaway: Fat-soluble supplements (CoQ10, vitamin D, omega-3, resveratrol) are not meaningful fast-breakers in most formulations. But taking them in a fasted state dramatically reduces their absorption. Take them with your first fat-containing meal for both fasting compliance and maximum bioavailability.
Supplements That May Actually Enhance Your Fast
Some compounds do not merely avoid breaking a fast — they actively engage the same pathways that fasting activates. These are sometimes called caloric restriction mimetics, and taking them during a fasted window may provide additive benefits.
Black coffee and caffeine. Pietrocola et al. (2014) demonstrated that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee rapidly triggered autophagy in mice within 1-4 hours, across liver, muscle, and heart tissue. Acute coffee consumption induced AMPK phosphorylation and reduced mTORC1 substrate p70S6K phosphorylation — both pro-autophagy signals (PMID 24769862). Separately, Mathew et al. (2014) showed that caffeine promotes autophagy in skeletal muscle cells through calcium-dependent AMPK activation (PMID 25268764).
Polyphenols. Quercetin, curcumin, and EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate — the primary bioactive compound in green tea) all inhibit mTOR and/or activate AMPK in cell and animal models. These compounds function as fasting mimetics — they generate some of the same cellular signals as nutrient deprivation without providing caloric or insulin load. Taking polyphenols during a fast may extend or amplify autophagy signaling.
One important caveat: many polyphenols are lipophilic and absorb poorly without fat. Quercetin, for instance, has just 1-5% bioavailability in standard form taken on an empty stomach. Phytosome forms (like Quercefit) partially address this. If your polyphenol supplement is standard-form and you take it fasted, you may get the fasting-mimetic signaling benefit (from the fraction that absorbs) but sacrifice total bioavailability. This is a genuine tradeoff with no perfect answer.
NMN during fasting. NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide — the direct precursor your body converts into NAD+) contains no calories, no amino acids, and no fat. It does not trigger insulin, does not activate mTOR, and does not suppress autophagy. Some evidence suggests it may complement fasting: fasting increases NAMPT expression (the rate-limiting enzyme in NAD+ salvage), and providing NMN substrate when NAMPT is upregulated could support NAD+ production during the fasted state. This is mechanistically logical, though not yet validated in a controlled human timing trial.
Water-Soluble vs. Fat-Soluble: The Timing Matrix
The solubility of a supplement determines its absorption requirements — and therefore its ideal timing around a fast.
| Property | Water-Soluble | Fat-Soluble |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | B vitamins, vitamin C, NMN, creatine, magnesium, electrolytes | CoQ10, vitamin D, vitamin A/E/K, omega-3, resveratrol |
| Absorption mechanism | Dissolves in intestinal fluid; absorbed via transporters or passive diffusion | Requires bile acid emulsification and mixed micelle formation |
| Needs food? | No — absorbs without dietary fat | Yes — absorption drops 30-75% without dietary fat |
| Fasting impact | None (zero-calorie forms) | None to negligible — but wasted without food |
| Best timing during IF | Anytime, including fasting window | With first fat-containing meal |
| Storage in body | Minimal — excreted in urine if excess | Stored in adipose tissue and liver |
This is not just theoretical. The 32% absorption difference for vitamin D with versus without fat (Dawson-Hughes et al., 2015; PMID 25441954) and the 25-fold difference for ethyl ester omega-3 (Lapointe et al., 2019; PMID 30799231) represent real money and real efficacy lost by taking these compounds at the wrong time.
Common Gray Areas: Detailed Verdicts
Greens Powders
Most greens powders contain 20-50 calories per serving, often from vegetable proteins, fiber, and natural sugars. Many contain amino acids from spirulina, chlorella, or pea protein. Verdict: most greens powders break a fast. Check the label — if it lists protein content (even 2-3 g) or calories above 10, take it during your eating window.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Typically 0-3 calories per tablespoon. No amino acids, no meaningful insulin response. Some evidence suggests acetic acid may support insulin sensitivity. Verdict: does not break a fast. Safe during your fasting window.
Gummy Vitamins and Chewable Supplements
Most contain 5-15 calories from sugar, gelatin (protein), pectin, or other binders. The sugar triggers an insulin response; any gelatin provides amino acids. Verdict: breaks a fast. Take with food during your eating window.
MCT Oil
Pure fat — 100+ calories per tablespoon. Does not spike insulin significantly and does not deliver amino acids. Will not activate mTOR. However, it delivers substantial calories that shift metabolism from endogenous fat burning to exogenous fat oxidation. Verdict: does not break a fast for insulin or mTOR purposes but does interrupt pure fat-burning and likely blunts autophagy through caloric signaling. Gray area — depends on your goals.
Psyllium Husk / Fiber Supplements
Soluble fiber with minimal absorbable calories. Does not trigger insulin or mTOR. May produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) via gut fermentation, which technically represent calories. Verdict: negligible fasting impact. Acceptable during a fasting window for most purposes.
Pre-Workout Supplements
Widely variable. Pure caffeine, beta-alanine, and citrulline do not break a fast. But many pre-workouts contain BCAAs, sugar, or artificial flavors with caloric fillers. Verdict: check the label. If it contains BCAAs or protein, it breaks a fast.
The Fasting-Goal Decision Framework
The supplement timing question always comes back to: what are you trying to achieve with your fast?
Goal 1: Weight Loss / Metabolic Health (Insulin-Focused)
Threshold: avoid anything that spikes insulin — primarily sugar, starch, and large protein loads.
Safe during fast: NMN, creatine, electrolytes, water-soluble vitamins, black coffee, plain tea, zero-calorie supplements in capsule form.
Save for eating window: protein supplements, collagen, BCAAs, gummy vitamins, fat-soluble vitamins (for absorption, not insulin reasons), omega-3.
Goal 2: Longevity / Cellular Repair (mTOR + Autophagy-Focused)
Threshold: stricter — avoid amino acids (even small amounts activate mTOR via Sestrin2-mediated leucine sensing), avoid caloric signals.
Safe during fast: NMN, creatine, electrolytes, water-soluble vitamins, black coffee (may enhance autophagy), polyphenols in capsule form.
Save for eating window: everything containing amino acids or fat-soluble compounds. No collagen, no BCAAs, no protein powder, no greens powders with protein.
Consider during fast (for additive benefit): caffeine, quercetin, curcumin, EGCG — these may actively support autophagy and AMPK activation.
Goal 3: Muscle Preservation During IF (mTOR-Positive)
Threshold: you want mTOR activation around training. The fasting window serves insulin management; the feeding window serves muscle protein synthesis.
During fast: NMN, creatine, electrolytes, caffeine. No protein.
Post-workout (break fast with): protein with leucine content >2.5 g, fat-soluble supplements, full meal. Moberg et al. (2016) showed that essential amino acids produced a nine-fold increase in S6K1 activation following resistance exercise (PMID 27053525) — you want this signal, timed correctly.
Key Takeaway: Your fasting goal determines your supplement rules. Weight-loss fasters can be relatively relaxed — avoid calories and protein. Autophagy-focused fasters need to be stricter — avoid amino acids entirely. Muscle-focused fasters should use the fast strategically and break it with a leucine-rich meal post-training.
Practical Protocol: The IF Supplement Schedule
For a standard 16:8 intermittent fasting protocol (eating window noon to 8 PM):
``` FASTING WINDOW (8 PM – 12 PM next day)
Morning (fasted): Water-soluble: NMN, creatine, B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium Beverages: black coffee, plain green tea (both may enhance autophagy) Electrolytes: sodium, potassium (especially important during extended fasts)
DO NOT take fasted: Any protein supplement, collagen, BCAAs Fat-soluble vitamins (they won't absorb — save for meal) Gummy or chewable supplements (contain sugars/gelatin) Greens powders with protein content
EATING WINDOW (12 PM – 8 PM)
First meal (include dietary fat: eggs, avocado, olive oil, nuts): Fat-soluble: CoQ10/ubiquinol, vitamin D, omega-3, resveratrol Polyphenols: quercetin, curcumin (better absorption with fat)
Post-workout meal (if training fasted): Protein source with >2.5 g leucine All remaining supplements
Last meal: Any remaining fat-soluble supplements ```
FAQ
Does NMN break a fast?
No. NMN contains zero calories, zero amino acids, and zero fat. It does not trigger an insulin response and does not activate mTOR. NMN is safe to take during a fasting window regardless of your fasting goal. Some researchers suggest it may complement fasting by providing NAD+ substrate when the salvage pathway enzyme NAMPT is upregulated by the fasted state.
Does black coffee break a fast?
No — and it may actively enhance your fast. Black coffee (no cream, no sugar, no collagen) contains negligible calories and has been shown to induce autophagy in animal studies within 1-4 hours of consumption (Pietrocola et al., 2014; PMID 24769862). Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee activated AMPK and reduced mTOR signaling. Adding cream, sugar, collagen, or MCT oil changes the equation.
How many calories actually break a fast?
There is no single evidence-based calorie number. The popular "50 calorie rule" is a practical guideline, not a validated scientific threshold. What matters more than calories is the type of nutrient: amino acids activate mTOR, glucose spikes insulin, and any nutrient signal can suppress autophagy. Zero-calorie, non-amino-acid supplements are definitively safe. Above that, it is a spectrum — and the answer depends on which fasting pathway you prioritize.
Do artificial sweeteners break a fast?
Acute studies say no. Greyling et al. (2020) conducted a meta-analysis of 45 randomized controlled trials and found that low-energy sweeteners produced "no acute effects on the mean change in postprandial glycemic or insulinemic responses" (PMID 32672338). However, some researchers have raised concerns about long-term gut microbiome effects and conditioned insulin responses. For a single fasting window, artificial sweeteners appear insulin-neutral. Whether they affect autophagy is unknown.
Should I take creatine while fasting?
Yes — creatine is safe during a fast. It contains zero calories, does not stimulate insulin secretion, and does not activate mTOR. Creatine monohydrate is water-soluble and absorbs without food. There is no absorption benefit to taking it with a meal, so fasted timing is perfectly fine. Some research suggests creatine may even support brain function independent of meal timing.
Does a fish oil capsule break a fast?
Technically yes — a standard fish oil capsule contains 10-15 calories from fat. But the insulin and mTOR impact is negligible because the calories come from fat (not protein or carbohydrates). The more relevant issue is that fish oil absorbs dramatically better with food: Lapointe et al. (2019) found up to 25-fold higher absorption in the fed state for ethyl ester formulations (PMID 30799231). Save fish oil for your eating window — for absorption, not fasting compliance.
Can polyphenols actually boost autophagy during a fast?
The mechanistic evidence is promising. Quercetin, curcumin, and EGCG all inhibit mTOR and activate AMPK in cell and animal models — the same two signals that fasting uses to initiate autophagy. Pietrocola et al. (2014) showed coffee polyphenols induced autophagy in multiple tissues (PMID 24769862). However, no human trial has confirmed that taking polyphenol supplements during a fast produces measurably greater autophagy than fasting alone. The biology is plausible; the clinical validation is pending.
What about collagen in my morning coffee?
Collagen peptides contain approximately 35-40 calories and 9-10 grams of protein per serving. This delivers amino acids — including glycine, proline, and small amounts of leucine — directly into your bloodstream. The amino acids activate mTOR (suppressing autophagy) and trigger an insulin response. Collagen in coffee breaks a fast by every definition. If you want collagen and practice IF, take it during your eating window.
The Bottom Line
The question "does this supplement break my fast?" has a clear answer once you define what "break" means at the molecular level.
If you care about insulin: avoid calories and protein during your fasting window. Most pure-compound supplements are safe.
If you care about mTOR and autophagy: avoid amino acids — they are the primary mTOR signal, and even small amounts activate the Sestrin2-mediated sensing pathway. Collagen, BCAAs, and protein powders are out. Pure compounds (NMN, creatine, electrolytes, water-soluble vitamins) remain safe.
If you care about supplement efficacy: take fat-soluble compounds with food regardless of fasting status. A CoQ10 capsule taken fasted is not breaking your fast — but up to 75% of it is passing through unabsorbed.
The simplest protocol: water-soluble, calorie-free supplements in the morning. Fat-soluble and protein-containing supplements with your first meal. Black coffee whenever you want it. And stop adding collagen to your fasting-window coffee — it defeats the purpose. For timing notes and evidence scores on each longevity compound, check the Compound Index.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before modifying your fasting or supplementation protocol, especially if you take medications that must be taken with food. Intermittent fasting is not appropriate for pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals with eating disorders, children, or people on insulin or sulfonylurea medications.
References
- Wolfson RL, Chantranupong L, Saxton RA, et al. Sestrin2 is a leucine sensor for the mTORC1 pathway. Science. 2016;351(6268):43-48. PMID 26449471
- Saxton RA, Knockenhauer KE, Wolfson RL, et al. Structural basis for leucine sensing by the Sestrin2-mTORC1 pathway. Science. 2016;351(6268):53-58. PMID 26586190
- Zhang X, Kapoor D, Razani B, et al. Identification of a leucine-mediated threshold effect governing macrophage mTOR signalling and cardiovascular risk. Nature Metabolism. 2024. PMID 38409323
- Moberg M, Apró W, Ekblom B, et al. Activation of mTORC1 by leucine is potentiated by branched-chain amino acids and even more so by essential amino acids following resistance exercise. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2016;310(11):C874-84. PMID 27053525
- Alirezaei M, Kemball CC, Flynn CT, et al. Short-term fasting induces profound neuronal autophagy. Autophagy. 2010;6(6):702-710. PMID 20534972
- Bagherniya M, Butler AE, Barreto GE, Sahebkar A. The effect of fasting or calorie restriction on autophagy induction: A review of the literature. Ageing Res Rev. 2018;47:183-197. PMID 30172870
- Pietrocola F, Malik SA, Mariño G, et al. Coffee induces autophagy in vivo. Cell Cycle. 2014;13(12):1987-1994. PMID 24769862
- Mathew TS, Ferris RK, Downs RM, et al. Caffeine promotes autophagy in skeletal muscle cells by increasing the calcium-dependent activation of AMP-activated protein kinase. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2014;453(3):411-418. PMID 25268764
- Dawson-Hughes B, Harris SS, Lichtenstein AH, et al. Dietary fat increases vitamin D-3 absorption. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015;115(2):225-230. PMID 25441954
- Lapointe JF, Harvey L, Aziz S, et al. Comparative bioavailability of omega-3 formulations in fasting and fed states. Clin Ther. 2019;41(3):426-444. PMID 30799231
- Walle T, Hsieh F, DeLegge MH, et al. High absorption but very low bioavailability of oral resveratrol in humans. Drug Metab Dispos. 2004;32(12):1377-1382. PMID 15333514
- Greyling A, Appleton KM, Raben A, Mela DJ. Acute glycemic and insulinemic effects of low-energy sweeteners: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2020;112(4):1002-1014. PMID 32672338
- de Cabo R, Mattson MP. Effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(26):2541-2551. PMID 31881139
Related Reading
- Intermittent Fasting and Longevity Supplements: Complete Timing Guide
- Autophagy Explained: Cellular Recycling, Fasting, Exercise, and Aging
- mTOR and AMPK: The Two Master Switches That Control How You Age
- Caloric Restriction Mimetics: Compounds That Mimic Fasting Without Fasting
- Bioavailability Explained: Why Supplement Form Matters More Than the Dose on the Label
- What Is NMN? The Complete Guide to Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
- Protein, mTOR, and Longevity: How Much Is Too Much?
- Hormesis: How Controlled Stress Makes You Live Longer