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Critical Window

Meaning

A critical window, in the context of hormonal health and longevity, refers to a defined, finite period during development or aging when an organism is maximally sensitive to specific internal or external stimuli. During this time, the body’s systems, such as the endocrine or neurological systems, are uniquely plastic, meaning interventions or environmental factors can have disproportionately large and often irreversible effects on long-term health outcomes. Missing this window can result in suboptimal development or an irreversible predisposition to certain chronic diseases later in life.