Homeostatic setpoints represent the narrow, optimal physiological range for specific internal variables, such as core body temperature or blood pH, which the body actively maintains through negative feedback loops. Allostasis, conversely, describes the process of achieving stability through physiological change, representing the body’s capacity to adjust these setpoints in response to chronic or acute environmental demands. This adaptive capacity is essential for survival, yet its overuse can lead to allostatic load, a measurable physiological wear and tear.
Origin
The concept of homeostasis, the internal constancy necessary for life, was established by Claude Bernard and later termed by Walter Cannon in the early 20th century. Allostasis, a more modern refinement, was introduced by Sterling and Eyer in 1988 to account for the dynamic, predictive, and often stress-mediated adjustments required for survival in a changing environment. This framework is central to understanding stress endocrinology and long-term health trajectory.
Mechanism
The endocrine and nervous systems are key players in this regulatory process, particularly the HPA axis and the sympathetic nervous system. When the body encounters a stressor, allostatic mechanisms initiate the release of mediators like cortisol and catecholamines to shift physiological parameters away from their basal setpoints to meet the demand. Chronic exposure to stressors necessitates prolonged allostatic adjustments, leading to the eventual accumulation of allostatic load, which manifests as dysregulation in metabolic and immune functions.
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