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—dives into one of the most complex and vulnerable systems in the human body: the nervous system. Building on previous episodes exploring glycation’s systemic effects, this lecture examines how metabolic dysfunction and sugar-driven chemistry quietly damage neurons, blood vessels, and brain function over time. Glycation is a non-enzymatic reaction in which sugars bind to proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, forming advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In the nervous system, these AGEs disrupt neuronal signaling, damage myelin, impair axonal transport, and compromise the blood-brain barrier. Through AGE-RAGE signaling, glycation activates chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction—processes that contribute to peripheral neuropathy, cognitive decline, and neurodegeneration. This episode explains why both the central and peripheral nervous systems are uniquely susceptible to glycation. Dr. Reynolds explores how high metabolic demand, limited antioxidant defenses, irreplaceable neurons, and direct exposure to circulating glucose and AGEs create the perfect storm for neurological damage—even in people without diagnosed diabetes. From blood-brain barrier breakdown to impaired nerve regeneration, glycation emerges as a major, modifiable driver of nervous system aging. Backed by decades of peer-reviewed research, this lecture connects molecular biochemistry to real-world outcomes, including diabetic neuropathy, cognitive decline, and the growing concept of Alzheimer’s disease as a form of metabolic brain dysfunction. Most importantly, it highlights how diet, lifestyle, and insulin sensitivity influence long-term brain health. Topics Covered -How the nervous system functions at a cellular level -Why neurons and myelin are vulnerable to glycation -AGE formation and the AGE-RAGE inflammatory pathway -Blood-brain barrier breakdown and neurovascular damage -Peripheral neuropathy and impaired nerve regeneration -Glycation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cognitive decline -Dietary AGEs and their impact on brain aging -The metabolic links between diabetes, insulin resistance, and Alzheimer’s disease -Why non-diabetics are still at risk -Practical strategies to reduce glycation and protect nervous system health Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: glycation and why the nervous system matters 02:19 – Nervous system basics: CNS vs PNS + how neurons communicate 05:38 – The blood–brain barrier and why it’s vulnerable 07:34 – Peripheral nerves, glucose exposure, and neuropathy risk 08:56 – Glycation review: AGEs, AGE–RAGE inflammation, and oxidative stress 12:49 – How glycation damages the nervous system (vascular + cellular damage) 15:37 – Peripheral neuropathy: myelin loss, axonal damage, failed regeneration 18:27 – Cognitive decline: AGEs, diet, and mitochondrial dysfunction 21:50 – Alzheimer’s, insulin resistance, and the “type 3 diabetes” debate 24:35 – Why the nervous system is uniquely susceptible to glycation 27:52 – Key takeaways + practical ways to reduce glycation Whether you’re interested in brain health, neurodegeneration, metabolic disease, or the cellular roots of aging, this episode reveals how metabolic health and nervous system function are inseparably linked—and why protecting your neurons starts with controlling glycation. About Dr. Paul Reynolds Dr. Reynolds is a biomedical scientist and professor at Brigham Young University, known for translating complex cellular physiology into clear, actionable insights. His College of Glycation series empowers students and lifelong learners to understand how metabolic chemistry shapes aging, chronic disease, and now—neurological health. #BrainHealth #NervousSystem #Neuroscience #Glycation #AGEs #Neurodegeneration #Alzheimers #PeripheralNeuropathy #InsulinResistance #BloodBrainBarrier #OxidativeStress #Inflammation #CollegeOfGlycation #HealthyAging #MetabolicHealth #Nutrition #BiomedicalScience #HealthPodcast #SciencePodcast #CellularHealth #BrainAging #HealthEducation 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)