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, Dr. Paul Reynolds—Professor of Cell Biology—examines one of the most powerful and underutilized tools for reducing the glycation burden your body carries: fasting. The modern pattern of frequent carbohydrate-rich meals creates near-constant glucose and insulin elevations that accelerate glycation—the non-enzymatic binding of sugars to proteins, lipids, and DNA—driving advanced glycation end products (AGEs), inflammation, oxidative stress, and the chronic diseases of aging. This lecture explores how fasting interrupts this cycle and acts as a true glycation reset. Dr. Reynolds explains the biochemistry of glycation, the dangers of grazing all day, and the profound metabolic shifts that occur when you stop eating insulin drops, the metabolic switch to fat burning and ketone production flips on, and autophagy—the body’s cellular recycling program—ramps up to clear out damaged, glycated proteins. The episode highlights key research showing improvements in insulin sensitivity, oxidative stress, blood pressure, and metabolic health—even independent of weight loss—and stresses the critical importance of how you break a fast to preserve those gains. Topics Covered -What glycation is and how AGEs form and accumulate -The glycation-promoting effects of frequent high-carb meals and ultra-processed foods -Chronic hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and RAGE-mediated inflammation -The metabolic switch, ketone production, and ketosis during fasting -Autophagy as a cleanup mechanism for glycated proteins and cellular -Time-restricted eating, early time-restricted feeding, intermittent fasting, alternate-day fasting, extended fasts, and fasting-mimicking diets -Clinical evidence on fasting’s effects on insulin sensitivity, oxidative stress, and health span -Practical strategies for starting to fast safely and aligning with circadian rhythms -How to properly break a fast to avoid new glycation damage -Metabolic flexibility and its role in long-term glycation control Timestamps 00:32 – What glycation is and how it accumulates lifelong damage 01:12 – The step-by-step chemistry of glycation: from reversible attachment to permanent AGEs 01:52 – Why the modern eating pattern is a glycation-maximizing machine 02:31 – A typical day of constant glucose excursions and elevated insulin 05:16 – Hyperglycemia as the unifying mechanism of chronic disease 05:57 – The body’s natural repair system: autophagy only activates when you stop eating 06:39 – Types of fasting explained (time-restricted eating, alternate-day, extended, fasting-mimicking) 08:03 – The metabolic switch: shifting from glucose to fat burning and ketones 08:44 – Autophagy: your cellular recycling and cleanup program for damaged (glycated) proteins 10:08 – Landmark studies on time-restricted eating and fasting-mimicking diets 12:09 – Practical guide: how to start fasting safely 13:31 – Important cautions, hydration, electrolytes, and who should talk to their doctor 14:10 – How to properly break a fast (and what to avoid) 15:32 – Why fasting is a true glycation reset If you're interested in metabolic health, blood sugar control, reducing AGEs and inflammation, improving insulin sensitivity, autophagy, longevity, or the science of healthy aging, this episode reveals how fasting can be one of the most effective, zero-cost interventions for hitting the reset button on glycation damage. About Dr. Paul Reynolds Dr. Reynolds is a biomedical scientist and professor at Brigham Young University, known for translating complex physiology into clear, practical insights. The College of Glycation series explores how metabolic chemistry shapes aging, chronic disease, and organ system health. #CollegeOfGlycation #Glycation #AGEs #Fasting #IntermittentFasting #TimeRestrictedEating #Autophagy #MetabolicHealth #MetabolicFlexibility #InsulinResistance #BloodSugar #HealthyAging #Longevity #Ketosis #LowCarb #AMPK #mtor 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)