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 critical episode of the College of Glycation, Dr. Paul Reynolds explores how glycation damages your eyes—and what you can do to prevent it. Glycation, the sugar-driven molecular reaction behind AGEs (advanced glycation end products), is a stealthy contributor to blindness, cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. With clarity and scientific depth, Dr. Reynolds explains how AGEs accumulate in long-lived eye tissues, fueling oxidative stress, inflammation, and vision loss—especially when insulin resistance is present. Backed by recent clinical studies and metabolic insights, this episode outlines how blood sugar and diet can erode—or preserve—your vision. Whether you're managing diabetes, concerned about age-related eye decline, or just want to safeguard your sight, Dr. Reynolds equips you with science-based strategies to fight glycation at its source. Topics Covered: -How glycation affects the lens, retina, and optic nerve -The link between AGEs and cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy -Why insulin resistance accelerates eye disease—even without diabetes -Dietary and lifestyle interventions to lower AGEs and protect vision -Antioxidants, anti-glycation compounds, and the role of gut health in eye aging -Practical steps to maintain healthy eyes and slow glycation-related damage Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome to the College of Glycation 00:35 – What is glycation and why it matters for your eyes 01:14 – Quick glycation refresher 01:54 – How glycation damages proteins 02:36 – Why the eye is especially vulnerable 03:13 – Glycation and the lens: cataract formation 03:53 – Research on cataracts and glycation 04:37 – Glycation and the retina 05:17 – Macular degeneration and lipofuscin buildup 06:00 – Diabetic retinopathy explained 06:42 – Glycation and glaucoma 07:22 – Aging, oxidative stress, and eye decline 07:59 – Insulin resistance: the silent driver 08:38 – Study on insulin resistance and retinal damage 09:18 – Autophagy failure and AGE accumulation 09:59 – Glycation beyond diabetes 10:41 – Shocking stats on glycation-driven eye disease 11:22 – The cascade of damage from glycation 12:02 – Early signs and why awareness matters 12:42 – Strategy #1: Control blood sugar with diet 13:22 – Study on diet, AMD, and gut-retina axis 14:07 – Strategy #2: Boost antioxidants 14:50 – Strategy #3: Consider anti-glycation compounds 15:36 – Studies on berberine and AGE reduction 16:17 – Strategy #4: Improve insulin sensitivity 16:58 – Strategy #5: Regular eye exams 17:38 – Final thoughts: vision loss is preventable 18:16 – A closing reminder: protect your eyes, stay curious About Dr. Paul Reynolds Dr. Paul Reynolds is a Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology at Brigham Young University. Known for his engaging, research-based teaching, he empowers viewers through The College of Glycation series to understand and combat the silent metabolic processes behind chronic disease and aging. For more insights on glycation, insulin resistance, and metabolic health, subscribe to the College of Glycation and continue learning with Dr. Reynolds. Questions? Leave a comment below. #EyeHealth #MacularDegeneration #Cataracts #Blindness #Glycation #AGEs #DiabeticRetinopathy #VisionLoss #InsulinResistance #LowCarb #KetogenicDiet #HealthyVision #MetabolicHealth #CollegeOfGlycation #HealthPodcast #SciencePodcast #AntiAging #BiomedicalScience #Nutrition #BloodSugar #HealthyLiving #HealthTips #KetoCommunity #CellularHealth #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)