Cardiovascular disease is one of the biggest health challenges in the modern world. Our lifestyle, particularly our diet and exercise habits, has a direct impact on our heart health. In this post we will look at two, perhaps less well known, factors that play a major role in the development of these diseases: the acronyms AGE and ALE.
AGE and ALE: What do they mean and why are they important?
- AGE (Advanced glycation end products) are substances that are formed when foods containing sugar or starch are overheated.
- ALE (Advanced Lipoxidation End Products) are formed when fats or oils are heated to excessive temperatures.
Both are highly inflammatory and can cause serious long-term damage to your body. And inflammation is a precursor to many chronic diseases, including heart disease and atherosclerosis.
The pitfalls of modern nutrition
Most of the food we eat today is full of AGE and ALE substances. Fast food, over-processed, heated and refined foods all cause inflammation in our bodies, even if we don't feel it immediately. The biggest problem is that our bodies are not prepared for attacks of this magnitude. Over millions of years, the human body has evolved to adapt to natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, seeds and meats. The drastic changes in our diet since the industrial revolution - eating lots of processed foods, sugar and trans fats - have completely upset the balance of our bodies.
Why is the organisation not signalling?
The analogy may seem strange, but the way our bodies work can be compared to that of a caring mother, who does her job silently, without complaint, often beyond her strength, even when she is tired or exhausted. Our bodies can compensate for the adverse effects for a long time and try to maintain balance as long as possible. However, this comes at a price. We have no signalling systems, which would immediately warn that a fast-food burger will cause serious problems in the long term. So many people have no idea that their daily choices are slowly but surely undermining their health.
The wisdom of nature
I often wonder how, while chickens know exactly what they need to eat to stay healthy - without having been to school - we humans, with our many degrees in hand, stand cluelessly in front of the grocery store shelves. Despite all our knowledge, we often lose our natural instinctthat would teach us what is best for our bodies. The modern world is full of artificial flavours and quick fixes that distract us from what is truly nutritious and healthy.
What should we do for our hearts?
- Choose natural foods: Fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean meats are the foundation of a diet that truly supports cardiovascular health.
- Avoid processed foods: Fast foods, over-processed foods and high sugar and fat intake all increase AGE and ALE levels in our bodies.
- Let's cook at home: Home cooking gives us the opportunity to control what ingredients we use and how we prepare our food. Avoid overheating and overcooking, which increases the production of harmful substances.
- Let's practice mindfulness: Let's teach ourselves to listen to our body's signals and choose foods that really nourish us, not just indulge our taste buds.
Concluding thoughts
Our food is full of inflammatory substances that lead to irreversible long-term damage to our health. We are not ostrichesto bury our heads in the sand and ignore these facts. Just as a mother takes care of her child, we must take care of our bodies. If we do not take care of it, we will face the consequences in the long run and unfortunately it will often be too late to change. Be aware, be caring and give your body what it really needs.
