The unhealthy bonding of a sugar to a protein or a fat is called glycation. Another name is used when a protein actively seeks a sugar molecule and enzymatically assimilates it.
Sugars can glycate to proteins in a haphazard fashion. The protein, in this case, does not seek it because the metabolic function of the protein is then severely degraded.
The stomach is where sucrose, table sugar, is divided into glucose and fructose. Fructose can glycate 10 times faster than glucose.
Sugars are tacky things, the greater the number and the longer the exposure to them the higher the chances of glycation.
Glycations are big trouble to the body because not only do they unset molecular and cellular functions thorough out the body, they generate hydrogen peroxide and other toxic, oxidizing materials.
Glycation severely affects long lived cells in the nerves and brain, long lasting proteins in vital organs as well as DNA. Glycation even attacks beta cells in the pancreas, important because they produce the insulin used to fight glycation. Maybe worst, glycation stiffens as well as weakens blood vessels.
AGEs, advanced glycation end products are what the glycated molecule ends up being, basically it is a toxic waste product. Essentially there are no tissues that are immune to glycation therefore all organs and system are vulnerable to chronic diseases: Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular, cancer, neuropathology’s, diabetes, eyes, ears, etc, etc.
With a lifespan of 120 days, easily accessible red blood cells can be analyzed for recent increases in glycating materials. Recently this has become the most reliable way of determining the blood sugars affect on tissues. This measurement of glycated hemoglobin levels in the cells is called HbA1c,
There are additional pathologies in diabetes beyond glycation, some may be worse, but they are less understood.
As you can see, diabetes is definitely a life shortening disease to be feared. Early diabetes and especially during pre-diabetes one still has time to actively back out of the mess ahead.
For more on the damage and treatment of diabetes go diabetes information #1
