The progressive accumulation of molecular and cellular damage over time, leading to a measurable decline in physiological function and a heightened susceptibility to age-related diseases. Unlike chronological aging, which is a simple measure of time passed, biological aging reflects the true functional and structural status of an organism’s tissues and organ systems. It is often quantified by specific biomarkers, such as epigenetic clocks, that track the integrity and function of the body’s internal machinery.
Origin
The term combines “biological,” relating to the science of life and living organisms, with “aging,” the universal process of growing old. It emerged from the fields of gerontology and molecular biology to distinguish the intrinsic, functional decline of the body from the mere passage of years. This concept shifts the clinical focus from simply extending lifespan to enhancing healthspan, emphasizing the maintenance of vitality and function in later life.
Mechanism
Biological aging is driven by interconnected fundamental processes, known as the hallmarks of aging, including telomere shortening, genomic instability, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the accumulation of senescent cells. Changes in the endocrine system, notably the decline in DHEA, growth hormone, and sex steroids, significantly accelerate these cellular deficits by impairing DNA repair and tissue regeneration capacity. The ability of the endocrine system to maintain robust homeostasis is a critical determinant of an individual’s biological age and long-term health trajectory.
The metabolic damage from chronic stress is fundamentally reversible through targeted lifestyle recalibration and strategic hormonal optimization protocols.
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