Glycation is a factor causing aging. Hereby, believers in the Glycation theory of anti-aging thinks that mitigation of ‘cross linking of tissue protein with sugars’ (tissue glycation) can extend the human life cycle substantially.
Glycation is a particular process performed without any enzyme. Its mechanism imparts sugar molecules (fructose or Glucose) that are linked to lipid molecules or protein. Eventually, the glycation process occurs inside the body or is already present in food; French-fries and browned meat. It can also enter the body through chewing tobacco or smoking. This is called the Maillard reaction. A product called Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs) is developed from glycation causing molecules to bond and polymerization, which develops this brown product. AGE to have better picture, roasted meat usually leaves burnt crusts; these crusts are example of AGE. Moreover, the production of this AGE leads to diverse side effects derived from free radicals.
The glycation theory on aging suggests that the glycation processes must be limited as it causes devastatingly degrading effect on various tissues of our body. To explain glycation process in more comprehensive way; it causes tissues to be cooked, rendering the tissues both dangerous and dysfunctional to nearby tissues.
AGEs does chronically increase with age. The balance of this expansion depends on intake of food and the ability of the body to handle them. Outcomes can be tissue inflammation. Cell RAGE receptors identify AGEs and this generation of cytokine chemicals. Substances which can tempt handle severe inflammation to tissues such as blood vessels, liver and nerve whereby this can provoke atherosclerosis. AGEs is accountable for many aging related illnesses such as vascular disease, neuropathy (Alzheimer’s disease), kidney failure as it causes dysfunctional effect on both structure and functions of organs.
The immune system is also severely affected by AGEs. Yet, diabetes appears to a related health predicament to glycation. Besides, high blood sugar level makes people more vulnerable to glycation. It is also thought that glycation leads to microangiopathy when related to inflammation.
Oxidation and Glycation theory on aging are two correlated theories. One leads to the other. For instance, AGEs found in swollen lysomes in a glycated tissue may cause an elevated increase in the rate of generation of free radicals in contrast to an unclycated tissue. These two aging threats can conspire to cause renal failure and other disease.
Moreover, glycation can cause negative effects to vital organ and tissues within the body. Yet, apart from that, it can also produce premature wrinkles.
Protecting or Firewall against Tissue Glycation
1. Lifestyle
In addressing tissue glycation, lifestyle is a major approach. The common causes for the glycation process is the consumption of food that are cooked at high temperatures and other diets that cause high blood glucose levels.
It is fundamental to adopt an eating habit where substances that have a high glycemic index are avoided. The benefit of consuming low glycemic-index diets helps to control weight, diabetes and cardiovascular problems. Yet, the intake of serum with high-level of simple sugar can develop cancers. High-glycemic-index diets can also cause mental imbalance. People should be aware about glycemic-index so that proper combinations of diets can be devised and appropriate alternatives can be used. Some low-glycemic index food are fruits, soybeans, leafy vegetables and whole grains cereals and on the other side corn syrup, sweetened breakfast cereals, sugary deserts, white bread and refined-flour pastas have a high-glycemic index.
Other substances, according to research, causing glycation are the consumption fast food and foods that are burnt or overcooked (fried, grilled and boiled food at hot temperature). On the other hand, food cooked at a low temperature is recommended.
Simple dietary approaches offer solution to inflammation and many other anti-aging theories. An exemplified diet is the Mediterranean diet. This diet focuses on the composition of fruits, fish, lean protein, whole-grain pasta, vegetables, olive oil and even a little toast of red wine. This diet goes far beyond simply treating inflammation and glycation, it enhances weight control, decreases the level of stress, regulates blood sugar metabolism, inhibits reactive oxygen species (ROS), addresses cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Apart from dietary control, it is advised to avoid direct exposure to sun. The use of sunglasses could protect one from cataracts, which can provoke AGEs.
2. Medical Supplement/ Firewalls against Tissue Glycation
There are mainly two supplements that address tissue glycation
A. L-carnosine
L-carnosine has a more than one benefit. It avoids glycation and does generate an enzyme that is able to counterattack AGEs that has already been formed. This supplement also decreases the risk of attracting neurodegenerative disorder and inflammatory diseases by removing unsaturated aldehydes(sugar). Besides, there are proven clinical trials which conclude that acetyl-l-carnitine decreases glycation in eye lenses, which is the origin for cataracts.
B. Benfotiamine
Benfotiamine is a fat-soluble form of vitamin B-1. This substance actually stops the AGEs to be formed. It has a firewall effect that practically set biochemical processes that can cause vascular, nerve, kidney and retinal damage to a halt when connected with high blood sugar levels. This makes Benfotiamine an important substance for diabetics.
Yet, another firewall that assists in controlling the blood sugar level and thereby avoiding glycation is magnesium. Vitamin C has a collagen metabolism. Vitamin C augments the volume of pro-collagen messenger RNA which permits ‘hydroxylation’. Hydroxylation is a mechanism that encourages collagen molecules to better protect and resist against potential cell damage.
Moreover, a fifth firewall is phosphatidylcholine which is a part of cell membranes. Its role is to mediate signals of membrane to other various cells.
Reference:
ANTI-AGING FIREWALLS THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF LONGEVITY
Aging and Longevity – 3. Glycation
Anti Aging, Anti Aging Theories, Health And Aging, Lifestyle
Wed, Dec 16, 2009
Anti Aging, Anti Aging Theories, Health And Aging, Lifestyle