Advanced glycation end-products
Okay, so you know how when you cut an apple, it turns brown after a while? That's because of something called oxidation. In our bodies, there's a similar process that happens with sugar and proteins, which are things we eat.
When we eat sugary foods, our body uses the sugar to make energy for us to move and play. But sometimes, the sugar can react with proteins in our body, kind of like how the cut apple reacts with air. This creates something called advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs for short.
AGEs can build up in our body over time, especially if we eat a lot of sugary foods or we have diabetes (which makes it hard for our body to control its sugar levels). When AGEs build up, they can cause damage to our cells, organs, and tissues.
Think of it like Lego blocks. If we have too many AGEs, they start to build up and get in the way of our body's Lego structures. This can cause problems like inflammation (which is like a small injury inside our body), and it can make it harder for our body to heal itself.
To keep our body healthy, it's important to eat a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables (which have natural sugars that are good for us), and to limit sugary drinks and snacks. That way, we can play and learn and grow without worrying about too many AGEs getting in the way.
When we eat sugary foods, our body uses the sugar to make energy for us to move and play. But sometimes, the sugar can react with proteins in our body, kind of like how the cut apple reacts with air. This creates something called advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs for short.
AGEs can build up in our body over time, especially if we eat a lot of sugary foods or we have diabetes (which makes it hard for our body to control its sugar levels). When AGEs build up, they can cause damage to our cells, organs, and tissues.
Think of it like Lego blocks. If we have too many AGEs, they start to build up and get in the way of our body's Lego structures. This can cause problems like inflammation (which is like a small injury inside our body), and it can make it harder for our body to heal itself.
To keep our body healthy, it's important to eat a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables (which have natural sugars that are good for us), and to limit sugary drinks and snacks. That way, we can play and learn and grow without worrying about too many AGEs getting in the way.
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