In this second foundational lecture from the College of Glycation, Dr. Paul Reynolds unpacks the biology of inflammation—a vital but misunderstood process at the root of nearly every chronic disease. From twisted ankles to heart disease and Alzheimer’s, inflammation can be both a healing force and a hidden saboteur.
With historical insight and cutting-edge research, Dr. Reynolds explores the difference between acute and chronic inflammation, how our modern lifestyle fuels the fire, and why controlling it is critical to long-term health. You’ll learn the cellular mechanisms that trigger inflammation, how dietary choices like refined carbs and seed oils contribute, and how powerful strategies like ketosis, exercise, and mindfulness can help extinguish the flames.
Whether you’re managing a chronic condition or simply curious about optimizing your health, this lecture delivers a clear, evidence-based path to understanding and taming the inflammation epidemic.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro to the College of Glycation
00:36 – Why Inflammation Matters
01:12 – Historical Overview
02:31 – What Is Inflammation?
03:07 – Cellular Mechanics & Cytokines
04:25 – The NF-κB Pathway & Human Studies
05:08 – Acute Inflammation: The Body’s Superpower
06:23 – Chronic Inflammation Explained
07:05 – Cell & Human Evidence of Chronic Inflammation
08:23 – Lifestyle & Diet as Root Causes
09:42 – Sugar, Carbs & Inflammation
10:24 – Seed Oils & Omega-6 Fats
11:10 – Stress, Sleep, and Sedentary Lifestyle
11:53 – Ketosis: Anti-Inflammatory Effects
13:11 – Inflammation in Chronic Disease
14:31 – Solutions: Mediterranean Diet & Omega-3s
15:14 – Exercise as Medicine
15:55 – Sleep, Cortisol & Stress
16:35 – Mindfulness & Parasympathetic Balance
17:14 – Conclusion & Key Takeaways
Topics Covered
-The biology of inflammation and its dual role in healing and harm
-Key historical discoveries in inflammation science
-How acute inflammation protects us—and why chronic inflammation damages us
-The cellular and molecular players: cytokines, NF-kappaB, and more
-Why modern diets (refined carbs, seed oils) are major inflammation drivers
-The anti-inflammatory power of ketosis and low-carbohydrate diets
-Evidence-based lifestyle interventions: diet, movement, sleep, stress reduction
About Dr. Paul Reynolds
Dr. Paul Reynolds is a Professor at Brigham Young University and a biomedical scientist dedicated to making complex health science accessible. Through the College of Glycation series, he demystifies metabolic health, helping viewers understand the biochemical forces shaping their well-being—and how to take control.
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