Diet and Aging: Glycation vs AGEs
Aging is accelerated by two major processes:
Endogenous glycation – when high blood sugar constantly binds to proteins, creating damage inside the body.
Dietary AGEs – compounds formed when food is cooked at high heat (grilling, frying, roasting). About 10% are absorbed.
📊 This chart shows the estimated AGE burden of different diets:
Raw carnivore – almost no glycation, almost no dietary AGEs.
Cooked carnivore – some dietary AGEs, but stable blood sugar keeps glycation low.
Vegan/Vegetarian – low dietary AGEs, but high carbs drive continuous glycation.
Western diet – worst of both: high sugar + high AGEs from processed, fried, grilled foods.
👉 Stable blood sugar matters more for aging than dietary AGEs alone.
