1. Implicated in Cataracts and Macular Degeneration
Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs) live a long time. They accumulate over time in your body. AGEs are found in the lens and retina of those with cataracts and macular degeneration.
Gul, Rahman, Salim and Simjee, et. al., completed a study of 124 individuals in 2009. Those who have cataracts were found to have higher blood level of AGEs as compared to diabetic elderly persons. Elderly diabetics with cataracts had even higher blood levels of AGEs. (Gul, et. al., 2009)
Hammes, et al., 1999 reviewed 12 patients who had age-related macular degeneration. They found carboxymethyl-lysine (CML), one of the glycation products in the sub-retinal membranes.
2. Increases Risk for Fractures
AGEs are found across the body, including skeletal tissue. AGEs increase skeletal fragility and create higher risk for fractures in the elderly. (Vashishth et al., 2001) AGEs result in covalent cross-links in protein which stiffens the collagen matrix in bones. Because of this stiffness fractures occur.
3. Impairs Kidney Function
The kidney is the body’s primary filtration system. AGEs cause the deterioration in the function of the kidney. As a result, the kidney is less able to filter AGEs. The impaired kidney is not able to efficiently clear AGEs from the blood. Higher amounts of AGEs in the blood lead to further damage to the kidney. (Bohlender, Franke, Stein & Wolf, 2005.)
4. Increases aortic stiffness
Semba, et al., 2016 obtained aortic pulse wave velocity in 2,468 adults aged 70-79 years. Aortic pulse wave velocity is a measure of aortic stiffness. Scientists believe that this is an indicator of early vascular damage and cardiovascular risk. Those with elevated CML have greater arterial stiffness.
The aorta is the largest artery in the body. Stiffening of the aorta is associated with isolated systolic high blood pressure. AGEs cause increased stiffness in the arteries. This occurs from fragmentation of elastin, increased amount of collagen, glycation of elastin, collagen, as well as cross-linking of collagen. Prasad & Mishra 2017
5. Promotes Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the formation of a lipid and protein matrix which becomes stuck to the vascular wall. AGEs initiate and promote this process. Glycation and cross-linking causes structural changes in proteins. This results in trapping LDL (or bad) cholesterol. AGEs glycate and oxidize LDL cholesterol. Then the glycated LDL is incorporated into the protein matrix. It is this matrix which adheres to the vascular wall. AGEs bind to its receptor, RAGE. This results in cellular activation and inflammation. Then the lipoprotein accumulates which promotes greater inflammation. (Singh, Barden, Mori & Beilin 2001)
Glycation, oxidative stress along with chronic inflammation accelerate the development of atherosclerosis.
6. Promotes Cancer
RAGE is a central signaling molecule in the immune system. RAGE initiates a complex signaling cascade which produces reactive oxygen species. This results in oxidative stress in both cancer and non-cancerous cells which further promotes the progression of cancers. (Bongarzone, Savickas, Luzi & Gee, 2017)
7. Decreases Cognition
Elderly who have a diet high in AGEs perform less well on cognitive function tests. 866 participants aged 40-75 years from the Maastricht study in the Netherlands showed that those with highest levels of AGEs, as measured in the skin, performed worse on cognitive testing, regardless of diagnosis of diabetes. Those with lower levels of AGEs had better memory and better overall cognitive functioning. (Spauwen, et al., 2015)
8. Responsible for Diabetic Complications and Reduces Insulin Sensitivity
AGEs are responsible for diabetic microvascular complications including retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy as well as rapid increase in atherosclerosis in diabetes. (Singh, Barden, Mori & Beilin 2001) Glycation occurs readily in type 2 diabetes. (Seneff, S et al 2011) Our body produces AGEs at an accelerated rate when proteins in the blood are exposed to high level of sugar.
Additionally, AGEs reduces insulin sensitivity. Insulin allows the uptake of glucose or sugar for the body’s use. When AGEs lower insulin’s sensitivity, the body needs more insulin to do the same job.
9. Makes β-amyloid More Toxic
βeta-amyloid is commonly thought to be a precursor to Alzheimer’s Disease. AGEs are found at a rate of three times greater in the amyloid complex in the hippocampus in those with Alzheimer’s Disease as compared to aged-matched controls. Additionally, AGEs exacerbate the neuronal toxicity of β-amyloid. AGEs modify β-amyloid making β-amyloid more toxic. (Li, et al., 2013)
AGEs are found in β-amyloid plaques. Scientists believe that AGEs accelerate Alzheimer’s disease.
10. Increases Inflammation
AGEs, which are highly reactive, promote oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is when the immune system continues to respond over the course of several months and years. The body is in a continual state of trying to repair itself in response toxins, such as AGEs. Chronic inflammation occurs in diabetes, cancer, dementia, as well as autoimmune disorders.
Decreasing this inflammation will also decrease your risk for developing chronic disease.
Next Blog:
In the next blog, I will discuss which foods are high in AGEs. Also, I will discuss ways to prepare foods to reduce your consumption of AGEs and improve your health.
