You’ve heard of wrinkles, sun damage, and collagen loss due to stuff like oxidative stress and free radicals.
But have you heard of AGEs?
No, they’re not a number. They’re a molecule. And they could be one of the biggest culprits behind visible aging.
AGEs (short for Advanced Glycation End Products) are sneaky compounds that form inside your body every single day. You can’t see them, but you can see their effects — in your skin, your joints, even your energy levels.
They’re what happens when sugar molecules attach themselves to proteins like collagen, essentially “caramelizing” them from the inside out. The result? Stiff, brittle skin that loses its bounce and radiance over time.
But here’s the good news: once you understand what AGEs are and how they form, you can make simple changes to slow them down — and even help your body rebuild what’s been damaged.
Let’s take a closer look at what these molecules are doing behind the scenes… and how supporting your collagen might be one of the best ways to defend against them.
To understand AGEs, picture what happens when you cook food until it turns golden brown — like searing a steak or toasting marshmallows. That crispy, browned coating is caused by glycation, a chemical reaction between sugars and proteins.
Now imagine that same reaction happening inside your body.
That’s what forms Advanced Glycation End Products, or AGEs — clumps of sugar-bound proteins that stiffen and age your tissues from within.
Normally, your body can process and clear some of them out. But when there’s too much sugar, oxidative stress, or inflammation in the mix, AGEs start to build up faster than your system can handle.
Over time, they begin to “cross-link” important structural proteins like collagen and elastin — the same ones that keep your skin firm, bouncy, and youthful. The result? Collagen fibers become rigid, brittle, and discolored, just like overcooked caramel.
And once those fibers harden, your body can’t easily reverse the process — which is why glycation is often called one of the most damaging forces behind premature aging.
AGEs don’t just appear out of nowhere. We help them form, often without realizing it.
There are two main ways we accumulate these aging molecules: through what we eat and how we live.
Let’s break it down:
Certain foods — especially those high in sugar or cooked at high temperatures — create AGEs before they even reach your plate.
Think:
These preformed AGEs can enter your body through digestion, adding to your overall “glycation load.”
Your body also forms AGEs on its own when sugar lingers in the bloodstream and binds to proteins — a process that speeds up under certain conditions:
Over time, these everyday habits act like a slow “heat” applied to your tissues — browning your collagen little by little, year after year.
The result? Collagen that once stretched and rebounded easily becomes stiff, fragile, and dull — unable to support firm, radiant skin the way it used to.
But that doesn’t mean it’s hopeless. Your body is constantly breaking down and rebuilding collagen. This means that with the right support, you can give it the tools to rebuild stronger, more flexible fibers again.
Collagen is the protein that gives your skin its structure — like the scaffolding in a building. It keeps your skin firm, smooth, and elastic.
But when AGEs enter the picture, that scaffolding starts to weaken.
Here’s how it happens:
Over time, this chain reaction leads to visible signs of aging:
And it’s not just about looks. The same stiffening process affects joints, tendons, and even blood vessels.
In short: AGEs don’t just age your skin — they age you.
The good news? Your body isn’t powerless against AGEs.
Even better news? Collagen can be one of your best defenses.
Your skin is constantly breaking down and rebuilding collagen, even as you read this. But when AGEs stiffen or destroy those fibers, your body needs extra resources to replace them — and that’s where supplementation helps.
By replenishing your collagen supply, you give your body the raw materials it needs to create new, flexible fibers — the kind that bounce, stretch, and reflect light beautifully.
And not all collagen is created equal. EverBella’s Complete Collagen Plus was formulated to do more than just replace what’s lost. It helps your body rebuild and protect collagen from multiple angles:
Together, these ingredients don’t just replace damaged collagen. They help protect your existing collagen from further glycation and oxidative stress.
Because the best way to fight AGEs isn’t with quick fixes. It’s by giving your body what it needs to repair and renew itself from within.
You can’t completely avoid AGEs, but you can slow them down and limit the damage they cause. And the best part? Most of the strategies are simple habits that add up over time.
Here’s how to start protecting your collagen right now:
Sugar is the biggest contributor to glycation. Reducing sweets, soda, and processed carbs gives your body fewer sugars to bind with proteins — meaning fewer AGEs form in the first place.
High, dry heat (grilling, frying, roasting) creates more AGEs than moist, low-heat cooking (steaming, stewing, poaching). Try swapping crispy for simmered a few times a week — your skin will thank you.
Berries, citrus, leafy greens, and herbs like turmeric and cinnamon help fight the oxidative stress that accelerates glycation. Think of them as “AGE erasers.”
Water supports circulation and helps your body flush out the byproducts of glycation before they can build up.
Stress hormones and poor sleep spike blood sugar and inflammation — the two key drivers of AGEs. Even small steps like deep breathing, short walks, or earlier bedtimes make a measurable difference.
Your body naturally repairs damage and produces new collagen every day — especially when it has the right nutrients.
That’s where Complete Collagen Plus can help, providing a daily boost of bioavailable collagen and antioxidants to keep your skin resilient against glycation and stress.
Small daily choices compound over time, and slowing glycation is one of the most powerful ways to preserve not just your skin’s glow, but your body’s overall vitality.
You can’t stop aging. But you can stop AGEs.
By doing so, you can slow the processes that make you look (and feel) older than you are.
AGEs may sound complicated, but at their core, they’re simply a buildup of damage — the result of everyday habits that gradually stiffen your cells and weaken your collagen.
And since collagen is what keeps your skin firm, smooth, and strong, protecting it is one of the best anti-aging moves you can make.
That’s where EverBella’s Complete Collagen Plus comes in.
This micelle liposomal formula was designed to do more than replace lost collagen — it helps your body rebuild it better. With MCT oil, vitamin E, DHA, and antioxidant support, it gives your cells the nourishment they need to defend against glycation and oxidative stress, keeping your skin supple and resilient from the inside out.
So while AGEs may be unavoidable, their effects don’t have to be.
Feed your collagen daily, and your body will do the rest — repairing, restoring, and renewing itself one sip at a time.