by 
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are compounds formed in our bodies through a process known as glycation when sugars bond with proteins or lipids. This glycation process begins as sugars circulating in our bloodstream attach themselves to free amino groups on proteins, forming unstable adducts. Over time, these unstable adducts undergo rearrangement and form more stable end products known as Advanced Glycation End Products Market.
The Formation of AGEs
While some level of AGE formation naturally occurs as part of metabolism, their accumulation over time due to lifestyle factors can negatively impact health. The glycation process leading to AGE formation occurs both intra- and extracellularly. Intracellularly, glycation happens as sugars interact with intracellular proteins within our cells. Extracellularly, sugars circulating in the bloodstream glycate proteins outside of cells like collagen in connective tissues.
Factors such as elevated blood sugar levels, smoking, and consumption of high-glycemic foods promote accelerated AGE formation. People with diabetes and prediabetes experience substantially elevated blood sugar levels on an ongoing basis. This chronic hyperglycemia drives rapid glycation and AGE accumulation both internally and in tissues throughout the body. Diet also plays a role, as foods high on the glycemic index that cause spikes in post-meal blood sugar levels fuel more AGE production.
The Health Impacts of AGE Accumulation
AGEs impact health through multiple mechanisms after they form. One way relates to their interaction with receptors on cell surfaces known as RAGEs (receptors for AGEs). When AGEs bind to RAGE receptors, it triggers pro-inflammatory cellular signaling cascades. This AGE-RAGE interaction is thought to contribute significantly to chronic inflammation associated with diseases of aging like atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s, and arthritis.
AGEs also alter the chemical and physical properties of proteins they become attached to through the glycation process. Collagen and elastin are integral structural proteins that provide strength, flexibility, and elasticity to tissues. As these proteins become glycated by AGEs over time, it degrades their properties and causes stiffening and loss of structural integrity in tissues. This is evident in the thickening and loss of elasticity of blood vessels that occurs with aging.
Damage to Cells and Tissues
AGE accumulation damages cells and tissues through other mechanisms as well. Once formed inside cells, AGEs can bind to intracellular enzymes and proteins, disrupting their normal functions. They may also induce oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species that damage DNA, proteins and lipids. Tissue accumulation of extracellular AGEs that become cross-linked into surrounding extracellular matrix proteins disrupt cell-to-cell communication and decreases the adherence of cells to the basement membrane.
The interaction between AGEs and long-lived proteins like collagen also renders tissues more prone to damage by free radicals and inflammatory processes. All these downstream effects of AGEs impair homeostasis at the cellular level, accelerating natural aging processes in tissues over time. The gradual buildup and cross-linking of AGEs in collagen-rich tissues make them progressively stiffer, less elastic and more prone to dysfunction and disease.
AGE-Related Health Conditions
Due to their widespread cellular and tissue damage over the long-term, chronically elevated AGE levels are implicated in accelerating several aging-related health conditions:
Cardiovascular Disease: Vascular AGE accumulation contributes to atherogenesis by impairing vascular function and increasing inflammation. It also promotes hypertension.
Diabetes Complications: Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are strongly associated with microvascular complications affecting eyes, kidneys and nerves due to chronic hyperglycemia-induced AGE overproduction.
Chronic Kidney Disease: Glycotoxins including AGEs are thought to contribute to progression of kidney damage in diabetes and non-diabetic kidney disease.
Neurodegeneration: Elevated brain AGE levels have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline during aging.
Osteoarthritis: AGE-mediated joint tissue cross-linking damages cartilage and impairs joint function.
Aging itself is also considered an AGE-related phenomenon to some extent given their cumulative effects upon tissues over many decades. Fasting blood tests for AGE levels can provide clues about risks of accelerated decline and age-related disease development.
Limiting AGE Accumulation
Given AGEs’ significant role in chronic degeneration, targeting their formation and accumulation through lifestyle modifications may help maintain health and slow aging processes. Maintaining optimal blood sugar control is key for preventing hyperglycemia-driven AGE surges in individuals with prediabetes and diabetes. Dietary strategies like reducing refined carbohydrates and eating mostly veggie-rich meals with a low glycemic impact are also beneficial.
Natural compounds found in certain foods that have anti-glycating properties can help inhibit the Maillard reaction between sugars and proteins that leads to AGE formation. Foods high in antioxidants like berries also protect against AGE-induced damage. Supplementation with specialized nutrients may offer additional anti-AGE support. While the eventual formation and tissue buildup of Advanced Glycation End Products Market cannot be entirely prevented due to normal metabolism, lifestyle modifications provide a means of reducing excess AGE accrual linked to accelerated aging and disease.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
