Are you on an anti-aging regimen? Then you’re likely taking all the right supplements, addressing any inflammation issues, and exercising appropriately so that you remain strong, vital and spry (read: more weight training). You’ve achieved healthy circadian rhythms, allowing you to get deep, restful sleep. You’re following up with your integrative and functional medicine doctor, not for treating a diagnosis, but with a desire to optimize.
Congratulations! You’re doing all the things that help ensure not just a longer lifespan, but a robust healthspan. After all, it’s not about how long you live, but how long you live disease free, independent, and vital.
Now, are you still enjoying a breakfast parfait of organic, non-GMO flavored yogurt with organic gluten-free granola? Maybe you’re using organic raspberry vinaigrette or other sweetened salad dressing on your lunch salad? Maybe you’re using a big dollop of local sourced honey daily in your salad dressing recipe and also adding it to your morning tea or coffee? Maybe you’re having a chocolate or other sweet-flavored keto or paleo bar for breakfast or a quick lunch. Or how about that peanut butter you absolutely crave? Do you know why you crave it?
Let’s move on to dinner. Are you using BBQ sauce or ketchup on that beautiful grass-fed ribeye steak? What about that jar of sweetened tomato sauce you regularly pour on your chickpea pasta, or the maple syrup you use to baste your salmon? Is this the only way you find your foods palatable?
With all of these added sugars lurking in your meals, you’re adding fuel to the aging fire with the ramped up production of Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs). AGEs are compounds that form when sugar reacts with amino acids—the building blocks of protein. Glycation induces damage in the body via oxidative stress and inflammation, resulting in the development of many of our chronic degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, as well as Alzheimer’s disease (aka “type 3 diabetes”).
Processed and sweetened foods are high in AGEs. In fact, sugars are extremely pro-inflammatory, speeding up the aging process by promoting endogenous AGE formation. AGEs accumulate in the brain, kidney, arteries and skin as we get older. In fact, the extensive cross-linking of collagen molecules decreases skin elasticity and promotes the development of wrinkles and sagging skin. Put simply, AGEs cause you to rust. That’s a recipe for aging faster!
“But it’s organic!” “I can’t drink my coffee without a little sweetness.” “But I only use raw sugar or organic sugar or coconut sugar.” “I thought honey was good for me!”
“But I’ve already given up so many of my favorite foods. I don’t eat desserts like ice cream or cake. I even gave up my organic, gluten-free cookies! This isn’t fair!”
I regret to tell you, until you address the added sugars lurking in foods you eat/drink regularly, and decide on their elimination (or at the very least, greatly reduce consumption of them), your anti-aging efforts aren’t at full mast.
To your health!
Leyla Muedin, MS, RD, CDN
