What is the Origin of Physiological Ecosystem?

This term is borrowed from ecology, where it describes a community of living organisms interacting with their non-living environment, and has been adopted by systems biology to emphasize the interconnectedness and feedback loops within the human body. It represents a necessary shift from reductionist medical thinking to a comprehensive, integrative view of human health.

What is the Mechanism of Physiological Ecosystem?

The mechanism of interaction is primarily mediated by biochemical communicators, including hormones, neurotransmitters, and microbial metabolites, which act as cross-system signals. For example, gut microbiota produce short-chain fatty acids that influence host immune responses, which in turn modulate inflammatory cytokines that can interfere with thyroid hormone action, illustrating a complex, multi-system regulatory loop. Maintaining balance in one area is dependent on the health of the others.

Physiological Ecosystem ∞ Area

Physiological Ecosystem

Meaning

The Physiological Ecosystem is a holistic conceptual model that regards the human body not as a collection of isolated organs but as an integrated, complex, and interconnected network of biological systems, including the endocrine, immune, nervous, and gut microbiome systems, all constantly interacting and influencing one another. In hormonal health, this perspective is crucial because a change in one area, such as chronic stress, will cascade through the entire ecosystem, affecting the HPA axis, gut permeability, and subsequent immune function. Optimal wellness requires addressing the health of the entire ecosystem.