Aging is inevitable, but the speed at which we age is not. One of the most overlooked drivers of premature aging is a high sugar diet—and the toxic byproducts it creates in your body called Advanced Glycation End-products, or AGEs. These microscopic molecules silently damage your nerves, skin, blood vessels, and even your brain.
In this article, we'll explore:
AGEs form when sugars (like glucose or fructose) bind to proteins, fats, or DNA without enzymes. This process, called glycation, leads to structural and functional damage in tissues. While glycation happens naturally as we age, it skyrockets with high sugar diets, smoking, and processed food consumption.
Unlike normal cellular processes, glycation is non-enzymatic and irreversible. The more sugar you eat, the more AGEs your body creates—and the more “rust” builds up in your cells.
When blood sugar is high—especially from processed foods, sweetened drinks, and refined carbs—your body produces AGEs at an accelerated rate.
High sugar = high AGEs = faster aging.
Let’s break down how AGEs affect your tissues—and why symptoms like joint pain, memory loss, and neuropathy may be rooted in glycation.
AGEs damage peripheral nerves by:
This leads to symptoms like:
AGEs are a major driver of diabetic neuropathy, but even non-diabetics can accumulate AGEs with a high sugar diet.
AGEs cross the blood-brain barrier and bind to brain proteins, impairing:
In fact, high AGE levels are linked to Alzheimer’s disease, often referred to as “type 3 diabetes” due to the overlap with insulin resistance and glycation.
Collagen and elastin are highly vulnerable to glycation. AGEs cause these proteins to become brittle and cross-linked, resulting in:
This is one reason people with high sugar diets often appear older than they are.
AGEs stiffen cartilage and reduce joint lubrication. Over time, this contributes to:
AGEs damage endothelial cells lining your blood vessels, promoting:
These changes increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The kidneys and eyes have high concentrations of small blood vessels, making them especially vulnerable to glycation. AGEs contribute to:
Research shows that high AGE levels correlate strongly with:
In one landmark study (Uribarri et al., 2010), people who consumed diets high in AGEs had more than double the levels of oxidative stress markers compared to those on low-AGE diets—even when calorie intake was equal.
Another study in Diabetologia found that benfotiamine (a fat-soluble form of vitamin B1) reduced AGE formation by 40% and prevented nerve and retinal damage in diabetic rats.
You can significantly reduce AGE formation by changing how and what you eat. The two pillars of an anti-glycation diet are:
These foods contain both sugars and pre-formed AGEs—a double threat.
These foods are high in polyphenols and antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and inhibit AGE formation.
Cooking methods have a huge impact on AGE content in food.
Pro tip: Cook low and slow. Use water-based methods like steaming or soups to reduce AGE intake.
While diet is the first line of defense, certain supplements help reverse or prevent glycation damage. These include:
“I went from being numb and foggy to feeling sharp and mobile again.”
“After 30 years of nerve pain, I can finally walk and travel without help.”
“I weaned off gabapentin and feel better than I have in years.”
These are just a few of the testimonials from people using NeuroGen® alongside a clean, low-sugar diet. Results often appear within 4–8 weeks when taken consistently.
Here’s what a full day might look like:
Take NeuroGen® with breakfast or lunch for best absorption.
Glycation is one of the most powerful (and preventable) accelerators of aging. A high sugar diet doesn't just raise your blood sugar—it silently damages your nerves, brain, skin, and joints.
But by:
✅ Cutting sugar
✅ Eating antioxidant-rich, whole foods
✅ Cooking smarter
✅ And using targeted supplements like NeuroGen®
…you can slow or even reverse many signs of aging and feel sharper, stronger, and more alive.
Start your transformation today:
👉 Read about the Mediterranean diet + glycation
👉 Try NeuroGen® – formulated with ingredients proven to fight glycation and support healthy aging
