The gradual, measurable decline in the functional capacity and structural integrity of a biological system or organ over time, typically associated with the aging process or chronic pathological stress. This degradation manifests as reduced efficiency, increased vulnerability to disease, and impaired homeostatic reserve.
Origin
This is a general term utilized across biology and medicine to describe the fundamental entropic process of aging and chronic wear-and-tear in complex systems. In the hormonal health domain, it specifically refers to the decline in endocrine organ function and receptor sensitivity.
Mechanism
At the cellular level, system degradation is driven by factors such as accumulated oxidative stress, telomere shortening, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the progressive accumulation of senescent cells. These mechanisms collectively impair the ability of tissues, like the adrenal glands or gonads, to synthesize hormones efficiently and the ability of target cells to respond effectively to those hormones, leading to a loss of systemic control.
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