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 foundational episode of the College of Glycation series, Dr. Paul Reynolds—Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology—examines the blood and immune system to reveal how glycation and chronic hyperglycemia quietly undermine immunity, oxygen delivery, and inflammation control. Building on earlier episodes covering the endocrine and cardiovascular systems, this lecture begins a systematic exploration of how glycation disrupts the body’s major organ systems—starting with the cells that defend and sustain life. Glycation is the non-enzymatic binding of sugars to proteins and lipids, forming damaging compounds known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Within the blood and immune system, glycation alters hemoglobin, stiffens red blood cells, impairs oxygen release, and accelerates cellular aging. At the same time, immune cells exposed to chronically elevated glucose lose metabolic flexibility, becoming simultaneously over-inflammatory and functionally impaired. Dr. Reynolds explains why high blood sugar doesn’t just signal disease—it actively drives immune dysfunction. This episode explores how glycation reshapes innate and adaptive immunity, fuels chronic low-grade inflammation (“metaflammation”), and increases susceptibility to infections, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and impaired wound healing. Drawing on peer-reviewed research, this lecture provides a mechanistic framework for understanding why metabolic health is inseparable from immune resilience and healthy aging. Topics Covered -What glycation is and why it accelerates tissue aging -Hemoglobin A1c explained at the molecular level -How glycation stiffens red blood cells and impairs oxygen delivery -Innate vs. adaptive immunity and immune surveillance -Why immune cells are highly glucose-dependent -Hyperglycemia, immune dysfunction, and chronic inflammation -Neutrophil, macrophage, and T-cell impairment in diabetes -AGEs, RAGE signaling, and inflammatory amplification -Why diabetes increases infection risk -Glycation’s role in atherosclerosis and vascular disease -Kidney damage, immune activation, and diabetic complications -Impaired wound healing and chronic inflammation -How improving glucose control restores immune function Timestamps 00:01 – Introduction to glycation and series overview 00:33 – Organ systems approach and episode focus 01:06 – What glycation is and why it matters 01:47 – Hemoglobin A1C, AGEs, and tissue aging 03:48 – Glycation, inflammation, and immune metabolism 05:46 – Innate vs. adaptive immunity 07:45 – Cytokines and immune balance 09:07 – Red blood cells, hemoglobin, and glucose exposure 11:46 – Hemoglobin A1C ranges and red blood cell dysfunction 14:47 – Immune cell metabolism and chronic inflammation 16:57 – Neutrophil, macrophage, and T-cell dysfunction in diabetes 21:13 – AGE–RAGE signaling and chronic inflammation 22:34 – Glycation, atherosclerosis, and vascular disease 24:39 – Kidney disease and glycation-driven damage 25:59 – Impaired wound healing in diabetes 27:21 – Key takeaways: metabolism, immunity, and disease 28:43 – Improving glucose control and closing thoughts Whether you’re a student, clinician, or lifelong learner, this episode reframes immunity as a metabolic process—and shows how reducing glycation is essential for fighting disease, lowering inflammation, and aging well. About Dr. Paul Reynolds Dr. Reynolds is a biomedical scientist and professor at Brigham Young University, known for translating complex cellular biochemistry into clear, evidence-based insights. His College of Glycation series empowers learners to understand and counter the molecular drivers of aging, chronic disease, and immune dysfunction. Paul’s favorite yerba mate: https://ufeelgreat.com/usa/en/c/C63EE3 Paul’s favorite source for clean, earth-sourced essentials such as salt, elecrolytes, 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)