What is the Origin of Systemic Aging?

This term is a foundational concept in gerontology, distinguishing the overall biological process of aging from the aging of any single organ or tissue. 'Systemic' emphasizes the interconnectedness of all physiological processes and the cascading effect of dysfunction in one system upon others.

What is the Mechanism of Systemic Aging?

The process is fundamentally driven by the nine established hallmarks of aging, which operate across all tissues, including telomere attrition, cellular senescence, and deregulated nutrient sensing. A critical mechanism involves the chronic activation of the Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP), which propagates inflammatory signals throughout the body, accelerating functional decline in distant organs. Furthermore, the progressive dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axes disrupts hormonal signaling, leading to widespread metabolic and structural deterioration.

Systemic Aging

Meaning

Systemic Aging is the progressive, generalized decline in the functional capacity and homeostatic resilience of the entire organism, encompassing the simultaneous deterioration of multiple interconnected biological systems, including the endocrine, cardiovascular, and immune networks. This holistic process is driven by the accumulation of cellular damage, epigenetic alterations, and chronic low-grade inflammation, leading to an increased vulnerability to disease and mortality. It represents the comprehensive, integrated perspective on the aging process.