But why are AGEs such a big threat to our health?

Because proteins are present throughout our body and the effect of AGEs on them is destructive. This affects our whole body. Atherosclerosis and the reduced ability of the arteries to respond to stress is a characteristic example. This is actually the result of the process that takes place when our body’s basic structural proteins, such as collagen, interact directly with the AGEs. The decomposition of Collagen, which is all over our body, especially skin, eyes, blood vessels and nerves, does not only lead to the appearance of wrinkles, but also in the manifestation of cataract, as well as on the sclerosis of our vessels and the increased speed and force of blood flow inside them. These processes are faster among patients with diabetes, whose blood sugar levels are often increased.

And where are AGEs “hidden” so that to avoid them?

The main sources of advanced glycation end products are foods, our metabolism and the natural aging mechanism of our body.

Foods cooked at high temperatures is a cooking technique that initiates the formation of AGEs. As sugars are heated or cooked together with proteins in the absence of water, AGEs are formed. Indeed, studies have demonstrated that people with the highest rates of cardiovascular complications were consuming more of those glycosylated products. For each unit of increase of the consumed AGEs, each participant had 3.7 more chances to have medium to high risk of heart disease manifestation.

As far as metabolism and aging are concerned, carbohydrates, both simple and complex, when metabolized by our body affect the levels of blood glucose. Most sugar in the blood is utilized for energy production, needed by our body to function properly. However, a small percentage of our blood sugar is glycosylated in the form of AGEs, giving rise to the manifestation of many chronic diseases.

Can we have a hope that in the future we will achieve in improving our health?

For this to happen we should understand in depth how we can avoid AGEs formation, at both nutritional and biological processes levels, such as metabolism. It’s only then that we will have completed a vital step to decelerate the aging process and to reduce the risk of many degenerative disorders. Luckily, the continuous progress of Science is constantly revealing new data on how to avoid this process. What we can definitely do daily is to apply the rules of Functional Medicine, or in simpler words, avoid the consumption of many sugars, and to choose the fats we consume in our diet so that to achieve our optimal health level.

Dr. Nikoleta Koini, M.D.

Doctor of Functional, Preventive, Anti-ageing and Restorative Medicine.
Diplomate and Board Certified in Anti-aging, Preventive, Functional and Regenerative Medicine from A4M (American Academy in Antiaging Medicine).