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—breaks down one of the most important (and overlooked) drivers of aging and chronic disease: glycation. Glycation is the process where sugars like glucose bind to proteins in your body, gradually forming advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Over time, these compounds damage tissues, stiffen blood vessels, drive inflammation, and contribute to conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney damage, and even accelerated aging. The catch? It’s happening silently, right now. This episode is a clear, foundational 101 on how glycation works—from the first chemical reaction all the way to irreversible AGE accumulation. Dr. Reynolds explains how markers like HbA1c reflect this process, how AGEs damage the body through both structural changes and inflammation, and why modern lifestyles dramatically accelerate glycation beyond what our biology was designed to handle. Most importantly, you’ll learn what you can actually do about it. From controlling blood sugar and improving insulin sensitivity to changing cooking methods, exercising, and reducing dietary AGE exposure, this episode gives you practical, science-backed tools to slow glycation and protect your long-term health. Topics Covered: -What glycation is and why it matters -How glucose damages proteins over time -The progression from early glycation to AGEs -Why AGEs are difficult to reverse -How glycation drives inflammation (RAGE) -The link between glycation and chronic disease -Dietary AGEs and cooking methods -Blood sugar as the main driver -Exercise and lifestyle interventions -How to reduce glycation and protect your health Timestamps 00:00 Intro: Why Glycation Matters 00:35 What This Episode Covers (Foundations) 01:45 Glucose: Fuel vs. Reactive Molecule 03:04 How Glycation Begins (Sugar + Protein) 05:00 The Maillard Reaction (Food → Body) 06:25 From Schiff Base to A1C (Amadori Products) 07:49 Formation of AGEs (Irreversible Damage) 09:07 Body Defenses (Glyoxalase System & Antioxidants) 11:09 Modern Diet vs. Natural Defense Limits 11:51 Dietary AGEs from Cooking 13:10 Structural Damage: Protein Cross-Linking 15:07 Inflammation: RAGE Activation Loop 16:28 Cardiovascular Damage & Blood Vessels 17:48 Kidney Damage (Nephropathy) 18:27 Nervous System Damage (Neuropathy) 19:07 Eye Damage (Retinopathy & Cataracts) 20:22 Glycation & Aging Itself 21:01 Glycation as a Driver of Chronic Disease 22:21 Why This Happens in Modern Life 23:46 Additional Drivers (Smoking, Sedentary Lifestyle) 25:13 How to Reduce Glycation (Overview) 25:55 Blood Sugar Control (Primary Lever) 26:34 Cooking Methods That Lower AGEs 27:13 Exercise & Insulin Sensitivity 27:52 Supplements & Compounds (Carnosine, Polyphenols) 28:27 Fasting & Time-Restricted Eating 29:03 Final Takeaways: Glycation is Modifiable Whether you're focused on longevity, metabolic health, or simply understanding how your body works, this episode gives you a powerful new lens on aging—and how to slow it. 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 #healthyaging #metabolichealth #insulinresistance #bloodsugar #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)