The College of Glycation with Dr. Paul Reynolds

In this episode of the College of Glycation podcast, Dr. Paul Reynolds—Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology—dives into the science of glycation and its powerful role in accelerating skin aging. Glycation occurs when sugar molecules bind to proteins and fats, forming advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that damage collagen and elastin. Through AGE crosslinking, inflammatory signaling via the RAGE receptor, and increased oxidative stress, glycation quietly stiffens the skin and reduces elasticity, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and premature aging that originates at the cellular level.

Dr. Reynolds connects molecular biochemistry with everyday lifestyle choices, explaining how diet, cooking methods, UV exposure, smoking, and metabolic health influence AGE accumulation in the skin. Drawing from peer-reviewed research, he outlines practical, evidence-based strategies—ranging from nutrition and antioxidants to UV protection and metabolic control—that can help slow or counteract glycation-related damage. This episode offers a clear, science-backed framework for understanding how metabolic health shows up on your skin and how targeted lifestyle interventions can support long-term skin resilience and healthy aging.

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) 

In this episode of the College of Glycation, Dr. Paul Reynolds—Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology—kicks off a new physiology-focused series by exploring how glycation disrupts the metabolic and endocrine systems at the foundation of human health. Beginning with core concepts like insulin and glucagon signaling, fed versus fasted metabolism, and energy partitioning across liver, muscle, and adipose tissue, Dr. Reynolds builds a clear framework for understanding how the body normally regulates blood sugar and energy balance.

From there, he reveals how non-enzymatic glycation and the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) derail these systems through insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. By connecting molecular biochemistry to real-world conditions such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, this episode shows why glycation is not just a complication of disease—but a driving force behind it. Whether you’re interested in physiology, metabolic health, or long-term disease prevention, this conversation lays the groundwork for understanding how sugar damage silently reshapes the body from the inside out.

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) 

Glycation doesn’t just alter blood sugar markers—it reshapes the kidneys in ways that silently drive disease. In this episode of the College of Glycation, Dr. Paul Reynolds breaks down how advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulate in renal tissues, stiffen filtering membranes, damage podocytes, and trigger the inflammatory RAGE pathway that accelerates diabetic nephropathy. Drawing from decades of biochemical and clinical research, Dr. Reynolds explains why the kidneys are uniquely vulnerable to elevated glucose, how glycation ignites oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction, and why early changes like microalbuminuria signal deeper metabolic trouble ahead.

You’ll also learn how diet, cooking methods, exercise, and blood sugar control influence AGE formation—and what emerging therapies may help slow or reverse this trajectory. Whether you’re navigating diabetes, protecting your long-term renal health, or simply understanding how metabolic processes shape chronic disease, this episode offers actionable insights grounded in clear, rigorous science.

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) 

In this episode of the College of Glycation, Dr. Paul Reynolds explores how yerba mate—a traditional South American infusion rich in polyphenols, xanthines, and antioxidants—may offer powerful support against glycation and its wide-ranging metabolic consequences. By breaking down the science of AGEs, oxidative stress, and glucose dysregulation, Dr. Reynolds shows how yerba mate’s bioactive compounds can help stabilize blood sugar, reduce inflammation, enhance mitochondrial function, and even boost GLP-1 through microbiome-derived metabolites. It’s a deep dive into how a centuries-old herbal drink intersects with modern biochemistry to promote healthier aging and metabolic resilience.

Drawing on peer-reviewed research and findings from his own lab, Dr. Reynolds explains the mechanisms behind yerba mate’s antioxidant capacity, carbonyl trapping, incretin effects, and tissue-specific metabolic benefits. Whether you're interested in functional nutrition, metabolic health, or practical strategies to reduce glycation, this episode reveals why yerba mate may be a valuable addition to a low-AGE, anti-inflammatory lifestyle.

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) 

In this episode of the College of Glycation, Dr. Paul Reynolds unpacks the powerful relationship between ketones and glycation, revealing how the body’s natural fat-derived fuel source can counteract one of the most damaging biochemical processes in modern health. He breaks down how glycation and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) drive inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and accelerated aging—and then shows how ketones, especially beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), interrupt this cycle by lowering glucose exposure, stabilizing insulin, enhancing mitochondrial efficiency, and suppressing inflammatory pathways like the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Drawing from leading research and his own laboratory findings, Dr. Reynolds explains how ketosis reduces HbA1c, protects tissues from oxidative damage, and improves metabolic flexibility—while sharing practical tools listeners can use immediately, including low-AGE cooking strategies, fasting, exercise, and targeted exogenous ketones. Whether you're looking to reverse insulin resistance, slow down the biochemical aging process, or simply optimize metabolic health, this episode offers a clear, science-backed roadmap for using ketones to protect and repair the body at the cellular level.

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) 

In this compelling episode of the College of Glycation podcast, Dr. Paul Reynolds unpacks the overlooked but powerful link between glycation—the sugar-driven chemical reaction happening inside all of us—and the development of cancer. Building on our ongoing exploration of AGEs, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysfunction, Dr. Reynolds explains how chronically elevated blood sugar and the accumulation of advanced glycation end-products ignite inflammation, damage DNA, disrupt cellular signaling, and ultimately create conditions where cancer can thrive. From the AGE–RAGE pathway to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, he breaks down the biochemical cascade that turns everyday dietary sugars into silent contributors to tumor growth.

Drawing from cutting-edge research on breast, colorectal, and liver cancers, Dr. Reynolds highlights the growing evidence that dietary AGEs and modern food preparation methods are shaping cancer risk worldwide. He also offers practical strategies to lower AGE exposure, improve metabolic health, and reduce inflammation through nutrition, lifestyle, and smarter cooking techniques. Whether you're passionate about preventative health or simply curious about how metabolism influences disease, this episode delivers an eye-opening look at how sugar affects far more than just our waistlines—and what you can do to protect yourself.

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) 

In this episode of The College of Glycation, Dr. Paul Reynolds—Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology—dives into the cutting-edge science behind detecting advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in our food. Building on years of research and a landmark 2025 Molecules review by Hiroyuki Kataoka, Dr. Reynolds unpacks how scientists measure these sugar-protein compounds that quietly influence everything from aging and inflammation to diabetes and cardiovascular health.

From the chemistry of the Maillard reaction to the latest breakthroughs in chromatography and mass spectrometry, this lecture bridges the lab and the kitchen—showing how what happens in your frying pan connects to what happens in your cells. Learn how cooking methods, food choices, and antioxidants can help minimize dietary AGEs and support long-term metabolic resilience.

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) 

In this episode of the College of Glycation, Dr. Paul Reynolds—Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology—reveals how glycation quietly undermines muscle strength, recovery, and performance. By binding sugars to proteins in the body, glycation produces toxic compounds known as AGEs that stiffen muscle fibers, disrupt collagen, and trigger chronic inflammation. The result? Slower recovery, greater injury risk, and accelerated muscle aging—even in those who train regularly.

Dr. Reynolds connects cutting-edge biochemistry with everyday fitness, showing how high-sugar diets, poor recovery habits, and metabolic stress blunt the benefits of exercise. Backed by peer-reviewed research, he explores how glycation impairs flexibility, vascular health, and muscle regeneration—and shares practical strategies to reverse the damage. From anti-glycation nutrients like carnosine to smarter training and nutrition choices, this episode offers evidence-based tools to protect your muscles, optimize performance, and extend your athletic longevity.

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) 

In this episode of College of Glycation, Dr. Paul Reynolds—Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology—explores how toxic advanced glycation end-products (TAGEs) compromise gut integrity at the cellular level. Drawing on new research from Takeda et al. (2025), Dr. Reynolds explains how these sugar-derived toxins disrupt tight junction proteins like ZO-1 and claudin-7, leading to increased intestinal permeability, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The result? A weakened gut barrier that fuels chronic disease, from diabetes to neuroinflammation.

Through clear scientific storytelling, Dr. Reynolds connects molecular biochemistry to real-world health—showing how diet, glucose overload, and oxidative stress silently erode intestinal resilience. He also highlights emerging strategies to protect the gut, including antioxidant defense, AGE inhibitors like aminoguanidine, and lifestyle approaches that preserve the body’s most important barrier.

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) 

In this episode of The College of Glycation, Dr. Paul Reynolds—Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology—dives into how sugar-driven molecular damage accelerates skin aging from the inside out. Through the lens of glycation, he explains how advanced glycation end products (AGEs) stiffen collagen and elastin, weaken skin structure, and ignite inflammation through the RAGE pathway. The result? Wrinkles, sagging, and a loss of that youthful bounce—driven not just by time, but by diet, UV exposure, and everyday lifestyle choices.

Blending cutting-edge research with practical takeaways, Dr. Reynolds reveals how diet, antioxidants, and AGE-lowering strategies can protect your skin’s integrity and slow the clock on aging. Whether you’re into skincare, nutrition, or metabolic health, this episode illuminates the powerful connection between what’s on your plate and what shows in the mirror—and offers science-backed tools to help your skin stay resilient, radiant, and strong.

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)