Glycation

Glycation is a biochemical process that contributes significantly to aging and various health issues. It occurs when glucose or fructose molecules attach themselves to proteins, fats, and DNA, generally making these molecules less flexible and more prone to dysfunction. Here are some expert insights on glycation:

1. Mechanism and Impact:

   • Dr. Robert Lustig describes glycation as the attachment of glucose or fructose to proteins, leading to reduced flexibility and aggregation of proteins, ultimately causing dysfunction 1.
   • Jessie Inchauspé explains that the glucose molecules sort of bump into other molecules in the body, causing damage and browning similar to what happens when you toast bread or cook meat. This process accelerates aging, wrinkles, organ deterioration, and overall health degradation 2 3 4.

     Glycation and Dysfunction

     Dr. Robert Lustig

     Dr. Robert explains how the addition of glucose or fructose molecules to proteins can lead to protein dysfunction and aggregation, shedding light on the detrimental effects of glycation.

     

     The Human Upgrade

     8 Reasons Why Obesity Isn’t the Problem & Metabolic Dysfunction Is | Dr. Robert Lustig | Dave Asprey

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2. Aging and Glycation:

   • Mark Hyman likens glycation to cooking from the inside out, suggesting that frequent glucose spikes speed up the aging process 5.
   • Glycation, according to Leslie Kenny, leads to the cross-linking of collagen, causing wrinkles and internal damage like hypertension and kidney disease. This process also hastens aging, particularly in diabetic patients 6.

3. Health Implications:

   • Glycation contributes to oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which can damage cells and lead to chronic conditions like diabetes. Dr. Casey Means explains that high blood sugar spikes can generate immediate inflammatory and oxidative reactions as well as long-term cumulative effects 7.
   • Dave Asprey notes that glycation is akin to browning the lining of your arteries, which can be mitigated by substances that block glycation such as cinnamon, chromium, and carnosine. However, excess insulin from glucose spikes can lead to issues like type 2 diabetes over time 8.

4. Management and Prevention:

   • It is crucial to manage glucose levels to slow down glycation and its detrimental effects. Jessie Inchauspé suggests that everyone should aim to minimize glucose spikes through diet and other lifestyle choices. Exercise is another powerful tool to combat the aging effects of glycation 4.

Understanding and controlling glycation can contribute significantly to better health and reduced aging effects.