What is the Origin of Systems Degradation?

This term is a macro-level concept from gerontology and systems biology, where aging is viewed not as a collection of isolated diseases but as a failure of interconnected systems. "Degradation" refers to the irreversible loss of quality and function over time. The concept shifts the clinical focus from treating symptoms to addressing the systemic root cause of functional decline.

What is the Mechanism of Systems Degradation?

Systems degradation is driven by the accumulation of cellular damage, including mitochondrial dysfunction, telomere shortening, and epigenetic alterations, which impair the function of individual cells and organs. This cellular damage leads to chronic low-grade inflammation, known as "inflammaging," which further disrupts endocrine feedback loops and metabolic pathways. The failure of one system, such as reduced growth hormone output, then cascades to negatively impact other systems like muscle and bone density, accelerating the overall decline.

Systems Degradation ∞ Area

Systems Degradation

Meaning

The progressive, cumulative decline in the functional capacity and efficiency of multiple interconnected biological systems—endocrine, metabolic, immune, and cardiovascular—that characterizes the aging process and precedes overt pathology. This degradation is marked by reduced homeostatic reserve, impaired cellular communication, and a diminished ability to recover from physiological stress. It represents the underlying biological erosion that manifests as the clinical signs of aging.