NOTE FROM TED: While some viewers might find advice provided in this talk to be helpful as a complementary approach, please do not look to this talk for medical advice. We've flagged this talk, which was filmed at a TEDx event, because it appears to fall outside TEDx's curatorial guidelines. This talk contains sweeping claims around advanced glycation end products which are still an emerging field of study. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/t...

As far as most people know, “AGEs” has more to do with how old you are than the toxic metabolites quickly taking years off our lives. And worse, with current diets and behaviors known to be true of Western lifestyles, it offers a grim outlook for the health and life span of today’s youth. For scientist Dr. David Turner, this perpetuation of lifestylerelated chronic diseases must stop if we have any hope of slowing down the accumulation of AGEs causing destruction in our bodies.

A research scientist and professor at MUSC, Dr. David Turner has spent the last 20 years examining the biological consequences and life expectancy of lifestyle habits. With a focus on advanced glycation end products (AGEs), his philosophy about his work is that “knowledge gained in the laboratory is far more effective if understood by lay audiences” – the influencing factor for his passion of community outreach. Originally from England, Dr. Turner now enjoys Charleston and its unique wildlife and environment with his wife, six children and three grandchildren. What you don’t know might kill you, which is why this research scientist and professor is determined to make AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products) a household name. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx