The progressive, measurable deterioration of physiological function across multiple organ systems that typically occurs with chronological aging, characterized by a loss of homeostatic capacity and a reduction in functional reserve. In the hormonal context, this decline manifests as diminished endocrine gland output, reduced receptor sensitivity, and impaired clearance of metabolic byproducts. System decline significantly increases vulnerability to disease and reduces the ability to recover from stressors. It is the natural, unmitigated trajectory of biological aging.
Origin
This term is a clinical descriptor rooted in gerontology and pathophysiology, used to characterize the general biological trajectory of senescence in the absence of proactive intervention. The concept emphasizes that aging is not a single-organ phenomenon but a coordinated, systemic reduction in efficiency and robustness across all major systems. It provides a baseline against which the success of anti-aging and longevity protocols is quantitatively measured.
Mechanism
The decline is mechanistically driven by several interconnected factors, including telomere shortening, accumulated cellular senescence, and mitochondrial dysfunction, all of which compromise cellular energy and repair processes. Crucially, the central System Administrator—the HPA axis—begins to lose its regulatory precision, leading to dysregulated hormonal pulsatility and reduced sensitivity to negative feedback. This loss of endocrine fine-tuning accelerates the overall systemic deterioration.
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