The College of Glycation is an educational video series dedicated to helping viewers understand one of the most critical and often overlooked processes in human biology: glycation. Led by Dr. Paul Reynolds, Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology at Brigham Young University, this series explores how sugar interacts with proteins and fats in the body, forming harmful compounds called Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs). These compounds accelerate aging, contribute to chronic diseases, and play a key role in metabolic dysfunction. Each video is designed to break down complex topics into clear, practical insights. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, student, or simply someone seeking to improve your health, this series will give you a deeper understanding of the biological roots of inflammation, insulin resistance, and cellular damage—and what you can do to address them.
Curated by: PaulReynoldsPhD (74 videos)
Topic: Autophagy is the body’s powerful cellular recycling system that clears damaged glycated proteins and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Dr. Paul Reynolds explains how intermittent fasting unlocks autophagy, delivering a periodic glycation reset and countering one of aging’s most underappreciated drivers. Summary: Dr. Paul Reynolds explains autophagy — the Nobel Prize-winning cellular “self-eating” process — in which cells identify, package into autophagosomes, and deliver damaged proteins, dysfunctional mitochondria, misfolded molecules, and glycated junk to the lysosome for breakdown and recycling. Glycation occurs when sugars (especially glucose and fructose) spontaneously attach to proteins, lipids, or DNA, eventually forming advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) that stiffen tissues, impair insulin signaling, drive inflammation, and accelerate aging. While the body has limited natural tools to clear these damaged molecules, autophagy serves as the primary cellular housekeeping and renovation system. Constant eating and elevated insulin keep mTOR active and suppress autophagy, trapping cells in perpetual “build and store” mode. Intermittent fasting lowers insulin, suppresses mTOR, activates AMPK, and triggers the metabolic switch to fat- and ketone-burning, rapidly ramping up autophagy. Dr. Reynolds highlights how this process specifically targets and removes glycated proteins before they mature into permanent AGEs, providing a true glycation reset at the cellular level. He reviews key research, including studies showing profound neuronal autophagy after short-term fasting and metabolic improvements from time-restricted eating even without weight loss. Dr. Reynolds offers practical guidance: start by eliminating snacks and compressing your eating window (16:8 is the simplest entry point), progress to 18:6 or 20:4, and occasionally try 24-hour or longer fasts. He emphasizes breaking fasts with protein, fat, and fiber; protecting sleep; and combining fasting with exercise for multiplied benefits, while clearly noting who should avoid fasting. Translation Notes: You can click the gear icon at the bottom of this video to auto-translate captions. For example, to translate into French, select Subtitles, choose Auto-Translate, then first choose English, then choose Auto-Translate again, then choose French. Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome & Autophagy Intro 00:37 - IF Unlocks Autophagy 01:14 - Glycation Basics 01:51 - Advanced Glycation End Products 02:30 - AGEs & Aging 03:06 - What is Autophagy? 03:45 - Autophagy Mechanism 04:22 - Cellular Recycling & Reset 05:03 - Autophagy Decline 05:43 - Intermittent Fasting Pattern 06:22 - Modern vs Ancestral Eating 07:03 - Insulin Inhibits Autophagy 07:44 - Metabolic Switch Benefits 08:30 - Rapid Autophagy in Tissues 09:11 - mTOR, AMPK Signals 09:59 - Clearing Glycated Proteins 10:38 - Glycation Reset via Fasting 11:16 - Underappreciated Benefits 11:57 - Time-Restricted Feeding Study 12:37 - Starting: Eliminate Snacks 13:18 - 16:8 Protocol 13:55 - Advanced Windows (18:6, 20:4) 14:36 - 24-Hour Eat-Stop-Eat 15:16 - Longer Fasts (36-72h) 15:58 - Breaking Your Fast 16:40 - Sleep & Exercise 17:14 - Cautions & Contraindications 17:54 - Summary: Glycation Reset 18:35 - Conclusion & Call to Action 19:10 - Thanks & Goodbye NOTE: The information presented is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Paul Reynolds is not a clinician—and, he is not your doctor. Always seek the advice of your own qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. #Autophagy #IntermittentFasting #TimeRestrictedEating #16and8 #Fasting #FastingBenefits #FastingScience #CellularCleansing #CellularRenewal #CellBiology #mTOR #AMPK #MetabolicSwitch #Longevity #MetabolicHealth #InsulinSensitivity #LowInsulin #Ohsumi #NobelPrize #EatStopEat #ProlongedFasting #ProteinQualityControl #LysosomalFunction #Mitophagy #FastedState #FastingLifestyle #GlycationReset #ReverseGlycation #AncestralHealth #EarlyTRF Paul’s favorite yerba mate: https://unicity.link/121f260bfe Yerbe mate with a special formulated Balance fiber: https://ufeelgreat.com/c/PaulReynolds For the full Metabolic System storefront: https://shop.unicity.com/paulreynolds Paul’s favorite source for clean, earth-sourced essentials such as salt, electrolytes, hydration, pre-workout and more. Go to https://redmond.life and use PAULSALT for 15% discount. Paul’s favorite exogenous ketones: A high-quality option is the NSF-certified goBHB from Clean Form Nutrition, where you can use the code Paul10 for a 10% discount: https://cleanformnutrition.com/products/go-bhb Paul’s favorite allulose source: https://rxsugar.com (discount: PAUL20) Paul’s favorite health check-up for men or women: https://blokes.co/DRPAUL (discount: DRPAUL for 50% off of labs and smart supplements and 15% off all other products)