As cancer survivor Sonali Bendre vouches for ‘autophagy for healing,’ experts say it ‘definitely exists’ but its role is ‘complicated’: ‘Not a cure switch we can turn on’

Taking a cue, we reached out to multiple cancer survivors, cancer patients, and medical oncologists who told us that any supplementary or alternative approaches should be followed with utmost caution. In fact, Dr Siddhesh Tryambake, consultant medical oncologist, TGH Onco-Life Cancer Centre, while acknowledging that “autophagy definitely exists, and research around it is interesting,” warned that it is not a cure for cancer on its own. “Some early studies suggest that certain dietary patterns may influence autophagy, but we don’t have strong enough evidence to use it as a treatment,” he stressed.

Autophagy and its role in cancer care

Autophagy is simply the body’s own cell-cleaning system. “Every cell has a natural way of removing damaged or old components and recycling them so it can stay healthy. It’s important biology, but it’s not a switch we can turn on to ‘cure’ cancer,” said Dr Tryambake. One of the primary methods of inducing autophagy is calorie restriction, achieved through fasting and exercise. So, some say that an intermittent fasting pattern, such as a 16/8 schedule – where one fasts for 16 hours and eats within an eight-hour window – can help.

Dr Jyoti Mehta, consultant radiation oncologist, TGH Onco-Life Cancer Centre, said while autophagy is real biology, its role in cancer is complicated. “Social media often exaggerates it, making it sound like a magic method to shrink tumours. In reality, cancer cells behave differently from normal cells, and some tumours may even use autophagy to survive. That’s why unsupervised fasting or extreme diets during treatment can do more harm than good,” said Dr Mehta.

Given that the body has an inbuilt capacity for autophagy, we need to help enhance it by following a balanced diet, exercising, and practising positive thinking. It will be part of building your immunity and help promote autophagy naturally, said Dr P Vijay Anand Reddy, director, Apollo Cancer Centres, Hyderabad.

Dr Chinnababu Sunkavalli, senior consultant, surgical oncology and robotic surgical oncology, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, also added that these methods do not replace medically prescribed cancer treatments, even if they may enhance general health and treatment tolerance.

‘Light fasting only to support overall well-being’

“I do intermittent fasting, but no one can tell you if it works by itself or not,” said writer Karuna Ezara Parikh, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2024.

Sharadrao Haribhau Deshpande, 77, was detected with third-stage prostate cancer in February this year and has been under treatment since. Admitting that he has not followed any “strict autophagy protocol”, he said that he has been following the “light and safe approach” of intermittent fasting.

In 2018, when I was diagnosed with cancer, this study really helped me. My naturopath introduced me to it, I researched it, and this is what I followed – Autophagy for healing. And I continue to follow it till date. https://t.co/LYNbsz09Hh

— Sonali Bendre Behl (@iamsonalibendre) November 21, 2025

“I gradually adopted a simple fasting pattern of finishing dinner early and keeping a longer overnight gap between meals. This was not extreme fasting. It was mainly to keep digestion light and feel more energetic. I walked daily and did light stretches. Exercise is known to support the body’s natural repair mechanisms, and it also helps keep my mood positive. I added more fruits, vegetables, and home-cooked meals. I avoid heavy foods because they make me feel sluggish during treatment,” shared Deshpande.

The Pune resident also added that he continued “all my prescribed medical treatment exactly as the doctors advised”. “These lifestyle changes were only to support my overall well-being,” said Deshpande.

However, Mumbai-based Rita Shah, 53, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, “despite leading a healthy lifestyle, eating clean and exercising”, expressed that taking any alternative or supplementary route never struck her because she was beyond shocked by the diagnosis and “scared”.

“The first time anyone learns of cancer, they are shocked and can only think of death. For me, it was an even bigger shocker because I was healthy as a 45-46-year-old when I felt a painless lump. So, I didn’t want to take any additional risk and went with the tried-and-tested approach of medical science-backed treatment. A friend of mine even told me to take cannabis, but I was scared whether mein bachungi ya nahi (whether I will survive or not),” recalled Shah, who is now a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner and counsellor and also runs cancer awareness camps.

Dr Urvashi Prasad, former director of NITI Aayog, was diagnosed with stage-4 ALK-positive lung cancer in 2022. “The immediate reaction was shock, but my oncologist was very clear that we would follow a set treatment protocol. I take oral targeted therapy every day,” said Dr Prasad, who is also a public policy expert.

Here’s what experts say (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Actor Tannishtha Chatterjee, 45, who is battling stage-4 oligo-metastatic cancer, told indianexpress.com that while her chemotherapy is over, she is receiving targeted therapy at a high dose. “It requires me to eat right, and needs a lot of protein. But in the next few months, after the side effects settle down, I plan to discuss with my oncologist whether fasting or autophagy is worth trying. At present, I am at the edge. I have to submit to what the data is telling me. Other things are supplements, alternatives. I have to trust the main treatment,” said Chatterjee.

Rational ‘integrative’ approach

Naturopathy is a broad term. Parts of it, like stress reduction, plant-based nutrition, breathing exercises, massage therapy, or mindfulness, are genuinely helpful, and we often integrate them into patient care, said Dr Mehta. “The problem arises when alternative therapies claim to replace chemotherapy, surgery or radiation. Cancer treatment works best when evidence-based medicine remains the foundation, and supportive natural practices are added thoughtfully to improve strength, comfort and emotional wellbeing,” said Dr Mehta.

Integrative care works best: balanced nutrition, physiotherapy, yoga, pranayama, meditation, pain and symptom control, emotional counselling, and adequate hydration and sleep. “These do not replace medical treatments like radiation, chemotherapy or surgery, but they make the journey smoother and help patients feel stronger and more in control,” said Dr Mehta.

Manda Ashok Jadhav, 50, a Pune resident undergoing breast cancer treatment since 2024, shared similar advice. “Whenever you face any illness, always consult good doctors and start the right treatment at the right time. There are many alternative methods available, but take proper information and move ahead only with the advice of qualified doctors,” said Jadhav.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.