Impact of Glycation On Cardiovascular Disorders

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S.¹ and worldwide.²

Many people may not know they have it until they suffer a heart attack or stroke.^3,4

But there is an early warning sign: the level of toxic compounds called advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the body.⁵

A study published in 2024 determined that elevated tissue levels of AGEs were associated with endothelial dysfunction, a precursor to cardiovascular disease, even in otherwise young and healthy adults.⁶

Fortunately, a form of vitamin B1 called benfotiamine has been shown to protect against vascular damage and to combat the dangerous effects of advanced glycation end products,^7-10 potentially reducing this risk factor for heart disease.

The Danger of Glycation

Chronically elevated blood sugar has long been known to be a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease.¹¹

One reason for this connection is a process called glycation, in which glucose binds to proteins, lipids and nucleic acids in cells and tissues. Glycation produces advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which cause widespread damage.^12,13

While those with diabetes suffer from accelerated glycation, this process can also occur in people with normal glucose levels as well.¹⁴ Harmful advanced glycation end products can even be consumed in foods, especially meats cooked at high and dry temperatures through grilling, baking or frying.^15,16

Excessive glycation accelerates cellular and tissue aging. AGEs have been shown to raise the risks for many conditions, including:

• Cardiovascular disease,^17-19
• Kidney disease and kidney failure,^17,18
• Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases,^17,18,20 and
• Cataracts and retinal damage.²¹

Glycation and Heart Disease

Advanced glycation end products damage blood vessels.

They contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and reduced production of nitric oxide, a vital chemical needed for dilation (widening) of arteries. This can lead to both endothelial dysfunction which is damage to the cells lining the inside of blood vessels, and atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in artery walls that drives most heart disease.^19,22

Glycation can result in damage even for young adults with no known health problems. An observational study published in 2024 was conducted with healthy men and women with a median age of 28.5 years. Their endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a measure of how well an artery widens in response to increased blood flow. Next, AGEs were measured using a technology called skin autofluorescence (see below).⁶

Results showed that the higher the tissue levels of AGEs, the lower the flow-mediated dilation scores and the greater the endothelial dysfunction.

The researchers proposed that testing for AGE levels using skin autofluorescence could predict endothelial impairment, a potential sign of heart disease, before any other symptoms or markers of disease were detectable.⁶

Previous research had shown that high glycation levels are associated with the progression of cardiac plaque in patients with and without diabetes.^23-25

How to Minimize Damage

Controlling blood sugar is an important way to minimize glycation. Boiling, stewing, steaming, and poaching foods instead of grilling and frying can also help reduce ingestion of advanced glycation end products.²⁶

Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is an essential nutrient involved in numerous physiological functions including glucose metabolism.²⁷

A special form of thiamine offers another way to combat glycation damage: benfotiamine. This is a fat-soluble form of vitamin B1 (thiamine) with higher bioavailability compared to regular thiamine.^7,28,29

Lab studies have shown that benfotiamine can prevent glycation. A clinical trial showed it can help prevent blood vessel damage caused by glycation.^7,9,28

In one human study, 13 adults with type II diabetes ate a meal high in AGEs, then took 1,050 mg of benfotiamine daily for three days and ate the high-AGE meal again.⁸

Initially, the high-AGE meal reduced a measurement of blood flow. But after three days of taking benfotiamine, those vascular changes associated with an AGE-rich diet were no longer detected. Furthermore, after taking benfotiamine, markers of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress were reduced.⁸

In a randomized crossover trial, 20 smokers who were otherwise in good health underwent assessment of vascular function using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) both after an overnight fast and again 20 minutes after cigarette smoking. The procedure was repeated after a three-day oral regimen of 1,050 mg of benfotiamine. Results demonstrated that smoking reduced flow-mediated dilation by 50%. However, this negative effect was cut in half by administration of benfotiamine, compared to the control group.

This suggests that benfotiamine may exert protective effects on the blood vessels, for those exposed to inhaled toxins.³⁰

Daily benfotiamine doses of 250-1,000 mg may help reduce glycation damage as well as the un- healthy effects of inhaled toxins on circulation. Those with higher blood sugar levels or unhealthy diets should consider the higher dose range.

Summary

Roughly 18 million people die from cardiovascular disease around the globe every year.² One contributor to this disease is the formation of toxic advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are formed when sugars bind to compounds in the body.

A study published in 2024 showed that the higher the levels of AGEs, the greater the degree of endothelial dysfunction.⁶ Endothelial dysfunction can lead to atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Taking daily doses of benfotiamine, a bioavailable form of vitamin B1, may prevent the damage AGEs can do to blood vessels, improve blood flow, and reduce cardiovascular risk.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

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Dr. Kahn, an integrated cardiologist, is the director of the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity in Bingham Farms, MI. He is a member of Life Extension’s Scientific Advisory Board.

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