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)
In this episode of the College of Glycation series, Dr. Paul Reynolds—Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology—dives into a powerful and often overlooked connection between metabolic health and the endocrine system: how glycation and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) disrupt your hormones. Building on previous episodes, Dr. Reynolds explains how glycation— the non-enzymatic binding of sugars like glucose and fructose to proteins—creates molecular damage that extends far beyond blood sugar. This episode focuses on how AGEs interfere with hormone production, transport, and signaling, impacting systems that regulate metabolism, fertility, energy, and overall health. You’ll learn how glycation affects key hormones including thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), testosterone, estrogen, insulin, and cortisol. Dr. Reynolds breaks down how AGEs damage critical enzymes like thyroid peroxidase, alter hormone carrier proteins such as SHBG, and impair hormone receptors—creating dysfunction even when standard lab results appear normal. The episode also explores how glycation contributes to real-world conditions like hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, PCOS, infertility, and low testosterone. You’ll discover how AGEs accumulate in reproductive tissues, disrupt ovarian and testicular function, and impair both egg and sperm quality. Most importantly, this discussion introduces the RAGE pathway—a self-amplifying inflammatory cycle triggered by AGEs that accelerates hormonal and metabolic damage throughout the body. This episode connects the dots between modern dietary habits, chronic metabolic stress, and hormonal dysfunction at the molecular level—offering a new framework for understanding long-term health. Topics Covered: -What glycation is and how AGEs are formed -How blood sugar and fructose drive glycation -Why hormones are highly vulnerable to glycation damage -Thyroid dysfunction and glycation (TPO, receptors, autoimmunity) -Testosterone, SHBG, and reduced hormone availability -AGEs and insulin resistance as a hormonal disruptor -The role of AGEs in PCOS and female fertility -How glycation impacts sperm health and male fertility -The RAGE pathway and chronic inflammation -Why normal lab results can miss functional hormone issues -Practical strategies to reduce glycation and protect hormones Timestamps 00:31 Overview: AGEs and the Endocrine System 01:06 Glycation Basics (Quick Refresher) 02:22 How Blood Sugar Drives Glycation 03:00 Key Drivers: Glucose, Fructose & Dietary AGEs 04:22 Hormones as an Integrated System 06:11 Key Hormones Affected (Thyroid, Testosterone, Insulin, Cortisol) 07:25 Thyroid Function & Glycation Damage 09:27 Autoimmunity Link (Hashimoto’s & AGEs) 11:19 Thyroid Receptor Dysfunction (Hidden Hypothyroidism) 11:59 Testosterone Basics & Hormone Transport 13:18 SHBG Glycation & Reduced Free Testosterone 14:35 Metabolic Link: SHBG & Diabetes Risk 15:20 Direct Suppression of Testosterone Production (RAGE Pathway) 16:41 Fertility: Female Hormones & Ovarian Damage 18:00 PCOS, AGEs & Ovulation Dysfunction 19:22 IVF Outcomes & AGE Burden 20:02 Male Fertility: Sperm Damage & Oxidative Stress 21:22 RAGE Receptor & Inflammation Loop 23:20 The “Triple Threat” to Hormonal Signaling 23:59 How to Reduce Glycation (Overview) 24:37 Blood Sugar & Fructose Reduction 25:16 Exercise, Autophagy & Hormonal Protection Whether you're focused on hormonal balance, fertility, metabolic health, or longevity, this episode provides a deep and eye-opening look at how sugar-driven chemistry may be silently disrupting your endocrine system. About Dr. Paul Reynolds Dr. Reynolds is a biomedical scientist and professor at Brigham Young University, known for translating complex science into clear, practical insights through his College of Glycation series. #glycation #AGEs #hormones #thyroidhealth #testosterone #fertility #PCOS #insulinresistance #metabolichealth #inflammation #nutrition #healthpodcast #CollegeOfGlycation #lowcarb #ketodiet #wellness #scienceeducation 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)