A quantifiable metric used in functional medicine and longevity science to assess the overall capacity of an individual’s cells to withstand and recover from various physiological stressors, such as oxidative stress, metabolic challenges, and hormonal fluctuations. This index integrates measures of mitochondrial health, DNA repair efficiency, and antioxidant status. A high index indicates robust cellular defenses and a greater physiological reserve against aging and disease.
Origin
The term combines the biological concept of “cellular resilience,” the inherent ability of a cell to resist damage, with the clinical need for a quantifiable “index.” It emerged from research in stress biology and molecular gerontology, where the maintenance of cellular integrity is recognized as a cornerstone of healthspan. This metric translates complex biological robustness into a practical clinical data point.
Mechanism
The index is mechanistically derived from measuring the activity of key cellular defense pathways, including the expression of heat shock proteins, the efficiency of the proteasome (protein recycling), and the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane potential. It reflects the cell’s ability to maintain homeostasis by activating internal repair and cleanup processes in response to damage. Optimizing the index is achieved by supporting the genetic and enzymatic machinery responsible for these protective functions.
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