Inflammaging and Glycation End Products: A Dual Threat to Aging Well

My phenomemal brother, friend and mentor - Dr Atish Vanmali requested that I look deeply into the world of inflammaging and glycation. I did exactly that and that's what today's edition is all about! Enjoy. Namaste.

Introduction

In the intricate tapestry of aging, two threads have emerged as particularly significant: inflammaging and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Both represent physiological changes that occur in our bodies as we age and have profound implications for the general population. This article goes into the relevance of recent research on inflammaging and AGEs for the common individual and provides actionable insights for investing in one's health.

Inflammaging and Its Implications

Inflammaging, characterized by chronic, low-grade inflammation, is associated with most age-related diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.

"Chronic inflammation is the common thread connecting most age-related diseases."

Understanding inflammaging is crucial because it provides a window into the mechanisms of aging and age-related diseases. For every person, managing inflammaging could be the key to a healthier and potentially longer life.

Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) and Their Role in Aging

AGEs are proteins or lipids that become glycated after exposure to sugars. They are a major factor in the aging process and are associated with various age-related diseases, especially diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

"AGEs are silent but significant contributors to the aging process, impacting cellular functions and tissue health."

Research has shown that AGEs can induce oxidative stress and inflammation, further exacerbating the effects of inflammaging. This means that reducing AGE accumulation could be another key to healthy aging.

Relevance of this Research

• Awareness and Prevention: Knowledge about inflammaging and AGEs empowers us to make informed decisions about our health. Recognizing the signs and understanding the implications can lead to early interventions and preventive measures.
• Lifestyle Choices: Both inflammaging and AGEs are influenced by lifestyle choices. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management can mitigate their effects.
• Personalized Medicine: Insights into inflammaging and AGEs offer potential for personalized medical interventions tailored to an individual's unique inflammatory and glycation profile.

Investing in Health: Practical Recommendations

• Dietary Interventions: Incorporate anti-inflammatory and low-glycation foods into your diet. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and polyphenols, such as fish, nuts, berries, and green tea, can combat inflammation and reduce AGE formation.

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." - Hippocrates

• Regular Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity. Exercise has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and can help in managing and reducing the risks associated with inflammaging and AGEs.
• Stress Management: Chronic stress contributes to inflammation and AGE formation. Adopting stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga can be beneficial.
• Regular Health Check-ups: Screenings can help in early detection and management of conditions related to inflammaging and AGEs.
• Stay Informed: As research in the fields of inflammaging and AGEs progresses, staying updated with the latest findings can provide new avenues for health interventions.

Conclusion

In the words of the adage, "health is wealth," and understanding inflammaging offers a promising avenue to preserve and enhance this wealth. The dual threats of inflammaging and AGEs underscore the importance of proactive health measures.

By integrating the findings from research into daily life, individuals can make informed decisions that promote longevity and a higher quality of life. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of aging, it becomes evident that proactive measures today can pave the way for a healthier tomorrow.

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly." - Buddha

For further reading and references, please refer to the provided research papers below and consult specialists in the field of gerontology, immunology, and glycation end products.

References

Here are summaries of the latest research on inflammaging and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These summaries provide a snapshot of the latest research in the field of inflammaging and AGEs, offering insights into the mechanisms, implications, and potential interventions related to these phenomena:

1. The role of inflammaging and advanced glycation end products on paratonia in patients with dementia

- Summary: Intensive glycaemic control, reducing oxidative stress, combined with a low AGE diet and AGE targeting medication may prevent AGE accumulation, reduce inflammatory burden, and possibly prevent or postpone paratonia.

(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33132147)

2. The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is an important pattern recognition receptor (PRR) for inflammaging

- Summary: RAGE, through its connection with immunity, senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammasome activation, is a significant contributor to inflammaging.

(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30968282)

3. Dietary advanced glycation end-products elicit toxicological effects by disrupting gut microbiome and immune homeostasis

- Summary: The review discusses the pro-inflammatory properties of dietary AGEs, focusing on inflammatory mediators CRP, IL-6, and ferritin and their relations to aging and Type 2 diabetes.

(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34436982)

4. Advanced Glycation End Products Play Adverse Proinflammatory Activities in Osteoporosis

- Summary: The review updates the molecular mechanisms by which AGEs induce functional and structural bone impairment typical of osteoporosis.

[Reference](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24771986)

5. Danger signals and inflammaging in osteoarthritis

- Summary: This review focuses on age-related sterile inflammation in osteoarthritis and highlights therapies targeting aging mechanisms.

(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31621566)

6. Generation of sRAGEhigh transgenic mice to study inflammaging

- Summary: Elevated levels of circulating sRAGE may modulate systemic and low-grade chronic inflammation often seen in old age, potentially reducing inflammaging diseases and improving health-span.

(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30468673)

7. Is RAGE the receptor for inflammaging?

- Summary: RAGE, a multi-ligand receptor, promotes activation of pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidative pathways, especially in diabetes mellitus. It's implicated in both immunity and inflammation and plays a role in inflammaging.

(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31494645)

8. Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs): Formation, Chemistry, Classification, Receptors, and Diseases Related to AGEs

- Summary: This review focuses on AGE receptors, especially on the structural aspects of receptor–ligand interaction, and the diseases where AGEs play a role.

(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35455991)

9. Dietary polyphenols: regulate the advanced glycation end products-RAGE axis and the microbiota-gut-brain axis to prevent neurodegenerative diseases

- Summary: Polyphenols with multiple hydroxyl groups can scavenge ROS and capture α-dicarbonyl species, inhibiting AGE formation.

(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35587161)

10. ADVANCED GLYCATION END PRODUCTS(AGES) AND DIETARY METABOLITES RESULTED IN NEUTROPHIL EXTRACELLULAR TRAPS (NETS) AND VASCULAR CHRONIC INFLAMMATION AND STIFFNESS

- Summary: AGEs, a metabolite from HFD, can induce neutrophil activation and NET formation, potentially causing inflammation in vessels and leading to vessel stiffness.

(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36026924)