Advanced glycation end products or AGEs are made by a process called glycation. This takes place when sugars are randomly attached to proteins and fats, disrupting their regular functions.

Glycation shouldn’t be confused with glycosylation, a beneficial reaction controlled by enzymes that change proteins into their functional form.

AGEs contribute to conditions like diabetes, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and true to their name lead to premature aging, especially of the skin.