Advanced glycation end products are compounds you’ve likely never heard about.
They are toxic compounds which are formed when fat or protein combine with sugar in the bloodstream. They’re cause for serious concern.
AGEs can also form in foods which have been exposed to high temperatures from:
frying
grilling
broiling
The AGEs & chronic disease connection
It is well known that these compounds are connected to all sorts of chronic disease including:
eye diseases
cardiovascular complications
gum disease
Alzheimer’s
metabolic syndrome
erectile dysfunction
peripheral artery disease
AGEs and nitric oxide production
What I found most interesting is that AGEs block nitric oxide activity in the endothelium and cause the production of reactive oxygen species.
I’ve covered nitric oxide in a separate article which you can read below.
Nitric oxide plays a crucial role in the development and health of the cardiovascular system which would make sense since it damages the endothelium.
Cell & mitochondrial DNA damage
A major reason why people age prematurely and experience adverse health outcomes when they really shouldn’t is because of continuous AGEs production within the body.
Glycation taken far enough can irreversibly damage a cells DNA and mitochondria.
This, in turn, compromises cell health and its available energy potential.
If we know one thing, it’s to protect the mitochondria at all cost.
The role lifestyle choices play in AGEs production
Lifestyle is the single largest factor which determines risk associated with these toxic compounds. What you do and how you express your epigenetics matters most.
Don’t smoke
Compounds in cigarette smoke react with plasma and extracellular matrix proteins to form compounds with similar properties to AGEs.
This can explain the higher incidence of cardiovascular disease and cataracts in smokers versus non-smokers.
Don’t combine fat/protein + sugar
This is your priority.
Cut out fast “food”
Don’t eat sugary sauces
No fried “food”
No pasteurized “food”
No homogenized “food”
All poisonous to the human body.
If it’s hyper palatable, your best bet is to drastically minimize/remove altogether.
In combination with this rule, stop eating simple carbohydrates and replace them with organic fruit + raw honey.
Use different cooking methods
slow cooking
poaching
steaming
The more moisture available within the food, the better.
Load up on the goods
Natural vitamin C - E - B - D3 + K2
Bioflavonoids from fruit
Vitamin B1
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Liposomal glutathione
Polyphenols
Spring water
Molecular hydrogen
Activated charcoal
More strategies include:
Sweat often
Sprint
Lift weights
Brisk walks
More sunlight
Grounding/ocean swims
Red light therapy
Your body has the ability to destroy AGEs through antioxidant and enzymatic activity if you introduce the correct habits into your routine.
Prolonged fasting
Going for a 3-5 day fast (only consume water) will rejuvenate you in countless ways.
It’ll clear the damage done by AGEs since prolonged fasting has an incredible impact on the mitochondria and general cell health.
Do I think AGEs from grilled meat is a concern?
I really don’t put much concern towards that area because it’s an evolutionarily consistent habit (your ancestors ate plenty of charred meat).
I wouldn’t make it a consistent thing though.
Practice moderation and make sure you do everything else listed above.
The most important thing is to avoid processed, hyper palatable "junk” because that’s what does a lot of the heavy work in regards to damaging the body and creating conditions where chronic disease can spread.
What about combining protein, sugar, and fat with nutrient dense foods?
I’m really not sure on this one, but my hunch is that it won’t be a problem unless you have a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular events through elevated ApoB & Lp(a).
Regardless, I would practice caution and do your best to avoid ridiculous meal combinations in one sitting. It’s generally not the best move for digestion, body fat levels, so forth.
I’m grateful to be able to share this relatively unknown knowledge with you guys and gals and appreciate every single one of you.
For the men out there looking for a serious health transformation with:
Sleep
Hydration
Nutrition
Movement
Supplementation
Lifestyle/bloodwork/gene analysis
Click the link here and speak with me directly.
Much love,
Zaid
🫶