Glycation and Inflammation—Inducers of Chronic Diseases

Presented by:  Paul Reynolds, PhD

Original Publication Date: November 14, 2025 (AAOSH Accelerate 2025)

Course Description:

Chronic low-grade inflammation is now recognized as a root driver of most modern diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, fatty liver, dementia, and autoimmune disorders. A central instigator of this inflammation is glycation—the non-enzymatic bonding of glucose to proteins and lipids that generates advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These AGEs trigger oxidative stress, impair cellular function, and amplify inflammatory signaling across multiple tissues.

This presentation will explore the mechanistic links between dietary carbohydrates, insulin resistance, and the cascade of glycation and inflammation that drives chronic disease. Special attention will be given to lifestyle interventions—particularly carbohydrate control and intermittent fasting—as practical, evidence-based strategies to reduce glycation burden and systemic inflammation.

Finally, emerging research on xylitol will be discussed, highlighting its unique capacity to lower postprandial glucose, mitigate glycation, and support mucosal and microbiome health across nasal, oral, and gut systems. Collectively, these findings suggest that addressing glycation and inflammation at their metabolic origins may represent one of the most promising frontiers in preventive and integrative health care.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this lecture, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the role of glycation and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in driving chronic low-grade inflammation and modern disease states.
2. Describe the relationship between dietary carbohydrates, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and systemic inflammatory signaling.
3. Evaluate lifestyle-based interventions, including carbohydrate control, intermittent fasting, and xylitol use, as strategies to reduce glycation and support metabolic and mucosal health.
   

Practical Applications:

• Incorporate carbohydrate-aware dietary counseling and fasting strategies into patient care to help reduce glycation burden and chronic inflammation.
• Identify patients at risk for glycation-driven conditions and apply metabolic interventions to support insulin sensitivity and cellular function.
• Utilize emerging evidence on xylitol to support postprandial glucose control and promote nasal, oral, and gut mucosal and microbiome health.
  
  

Method: Lecture

Location:  Online (Zoom)

AGD Course Code: 1010 (Basic Science)

Credit Hours: 1

Speaker's Bio:

Dr. Paul Reynolds earned a PhD in molecular and developmental biology. As a professor at Brigham Young University, he primarily studies the effects of inflammation and glycation. His research explores the pulmonary apparatus (exposure to particulates and how exposure influences systemic health) and inflammation caused by hyperglycemia and how ketogenic states mitigate inflammatory outcomes. His research program has received numerous grants from private institutes and the National Institutes of Health.

Conflict of Interest:

N/A