What is the Origin of Systemic Physiological Decline?

This is a broad, descriptive term used in gerontology and longevity medicine to characterize the global impact of senescence on the human body. It synthesizes the effects of cellular aging into a whole-organism perspective. The term provides a framework for understanding the increasing vulnerability to disease with age.

What is the Mechanism of Systemic Physiological Decline?

This decline is driven by foundational biological hallmarks of aging, such as telomere shortening, mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic low-grade inflammation, and the accumulation of senescent cells. These molecular and cellular changes collectively disrupt inter-organ communication, leading to reduced tissue repair capacity. This results in the progressive failure of endocrine feedback loops and a measurable loss of organ efficiency.

Systemic Physiological Decline ∞ Area

Systemic Physiological Decline

Meaning

Systemic Physiological Decline is the gradual, multi-factorial deterioration of integrated functional capacity across the body’s major organ systems that occurs with advancing chronological age. This process reduces the organism’s homeostatic reserve, diminishing its ability to effectively respond to internal and external stressors. The decline is measurable across numerous physiological parameters, including metabolic rate, hormonal responsiveness, and immune function. It represents the cumulative effect of biological aging on the whole organism.