SNR #129: Chris Masterjohn, PhD - Glycation, Oxidative Stress & The Protective Effects of Glucose and Insulin

Episode 129: Chris Masterjohn, PhD discusses the role of carbohydrates and insulin in endogenous antioxidant systems, oxidative stress and misconceptions on glycation. Chris is currently Assistant Professor of Health and Nutrition Sciences at Brooklyn College, part of the City University of New York. He has a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Connecticut. His dissertation was about the role of glutathione, an antioxidant and detoxifying molecule that we make within our own bodies from dietary protein, in preventing the accumulation of methylglyoxal, a potentially toxic compound formed in small amounts during energy metabolism that is believed to play a role in diabetes and other degenerative diseases. He writes detailed nutritional science articles on his blog The Daily Lipid and hosts a podcast by the same name.  In this episode we discuss: Why it's important people don't fall into the trap of demonizing sugar in the same way they argue other have done to dietary fat in the past. The realtionship between oxidative stress, glycation and diet. The role of glucose and insulin in our bodies' antioxidant systems Why restricting carbohydrates out of fear they increase glycation is erroneous