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 essential episode of the College of Glycation series, Dr. Paul Reynolds—Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology—explores how glycation silently sabotages muscle strength, endurance, and recovery. Building on previous episodes revealing glycation’s effects on organs and tissues, Dr. Reynolds now focuses on how this biochemical process impairs performance, slows recovery, and accelerates muscle aging—even in active individuals. Glycation, the non-enzymatic binding of sugars to proteins and fats, produces harmful compounds called AGEs (advanced glycation end products). These AGEs infiltrate muscle fibers, collagen, and blood vessels, stiffening tissues and triggering inflammation. The result? Slower muscle repair, reduced flexibility, and greater injury risk—especially in aging or metabolically stressed individuals. This lecture bridges molecular biology with practical fitness insights, explaining how glycation-driven stiffness and oxidative stress undermine the benefits of exercise. Dr. Reynolds decodes how common habits—high-sugar diets, overtraining, and poor recovery practices—fuel AGE accumulation and metabolic dysfunction. Supported by peer-reviewed research, this episode provides actionable strategies to protect your muscles, enhance recovery, and extend your performance longevity. Topics Covered -What glycation is and how it affects muscle tissue -How AGEs crosslink collagen and impair flexibility -The role of inflammation and oxidative stress in recovery -Why high-sugar diets blunt exercise adaptation -How glycation contributes to sarcopenia and muscle weakness -Vascular stiffness and reduced blood flow in active individuals -Anti-glycation nutrients like carnosine and their benefits -Training, diet, and recovery strategies to combat glycation Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Glycation and Exercise 00:36 – Why This Topic Matters for Active People 01:16 – What Glycation Really Is 02:00 – How Glycation Damages Muscle Tissue 02:40 – Exercise, Microtears, and Muscle Adaptation 03:20 – How AGEs Stiffen Collagen and Slow Repair 04:03 – Glycation, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress 04:49 – Why Diabetics and Older Adults Are More Vulnerable 05:33 – Glycation, Flexibility, and “Biological Rust” 06:18 – Muscle Atrophy and Sarcopenia Pathways 06:58 – How High-Sugar Diets Sabotage Recovery 07:41 – Insulin Resistance and Impaired Muscle Repair 08:25 – Elevated Blood Sugar and Slower Progress 09:11 – Glycation’s Ripple Effect on Arteries and Blood Flow 09:58 – Arterial Stiffness, Fatigue, and Cardiovascular Strain 10:45 – Systemic Effects of Glycation in Active Individuals 11:33 – Anti-Glycation Supplement: Carnosine Explained 12:21 – Optimal Post-Workout Nutrition for Low AGE Formation 13:09 – Timing Meals and Recovery Strategies 13:58 – Training Tweaks to Reduce Glycation Stress 14:45 – Lifestyle Habits: Sugar Reduction and Fasting 15:31 – Final Takeaways: Outsmarting Glycation Whether you’re an athlete, trainer, or simply striving for healthy aging, this episode reveals how metabolic health determines muscle performance and resilience—and how to fight back against glycation to stay strong for life. 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 students and lifelong learners to understand and counteract the molecular drivers of aging, chronic disease, and physical decline. #Glycation #AGEs #Inflammation #OxidativeStress #ROS #Redox #CollegeOfGlycation #Exercise #Fitness #MuscleHealth #Performance #Recovery #HealthyAging #SugarDamage #LowCarb #InsulinResistance #HealthyLiving #KetoDiet #HealthPodcast #AntiAging #Nutrition #BiomedicalScience #BloodSugar #Wellness #HealthTips #SciencePodcast #HealthyEating #CellularHealth #PodcastEpisode #Keto 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)