Research

Mixed

Aging is characterized by a significant decline in adaptive homeostasis capacity, specifically the inability to transiently expand or contract homeostatic ranges in response to sub-toxic stressors, leading to increased susceptibility to damage and mortality.

As you age, your body's ability to bounce back from minor stressors (like mild exercise or dietary changes) diminishes. This isn't just about damage accumulation; it's about losing the signaling capacity to adapt. To maintain healthspan, focus on avoiding chronic, repetitive stressors rather than seeking constant 'hormetic' spikes, as your adaptive reserves are likely compressed.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
In this review, we present the hypothesis that one hallmark of the ageing process is a significant decline in adaptive homeostasis capacity.
Laura C.D. Pomatto et al. · The Journal of Physiology · 2017

Why this rating

Supported by multiple model organisms (worms, flies, mice, humans) and cell culture studies.

Source

The role of declining adaptive homeostasis in ageing

Laura C.D. Pomatto et al. · The Journal of Physiology · 2017

DOI 10.1113/jp275072

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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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