Homeostatic capacity
{{short description|Capability of systems to maintain homeostasis}}
Homeostatic capacity refers to the capability of systems to self-stabilize in response to external forces or stressors, or more simply the capability of systems to maintain homeostasis.{{cite book | title=Hiding in Plain Sight: Essays by Joon Yun, MD, Second Edition | author=Anthony Joonkyoo Yun, MD | author-link=Joon Yun | year=2014 | pages=130 | isbn=9781312492028}}{{cite web | url=http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2015/01/09/after-the-last-death-doctors-academics-debate-the-possibility-value-of-a-150-year-lifespan | title=After the last death: Doctors, academics debate the possibility, value of a 150-year lifespan | publisher=Palo Alto Online | date=January 9, 2015 | accessdate=January 13, 2015}} For living organisms, it is life's foundational trait, consisting of a hierarchy and network of traits endowed by nature and shaped by natural selection. Homeostatic capacity comprises a multidimensional network of traits and operates at all scales of biology systems levels including molecular, cellular, physiological, and organismal.
Human homeostatic capacity
{{main|Human homeostasis}}
In the context of human beings, homeostatic capacity refers to the inherent ability of the body to self-stabilize in response to external and internal stimuli. Homeostatic capacity of the human body erodes with age.{{cite journal | title=A homeostatic model of oxidative damage explains paradoxes observed in earlier aging experiments: a fusion and extension of older theories of aging. |vauthors=Novoseltsev VN, Novoseltseva J, Yashin AI | journal=Biogerontology | year=2001 | volume=2 | issue=2 | pages=127–38 | pmid=11708379 | doi=10.1023/a:1011511100472 |s2cid=6542650 }}{{cite journal | title=Aging and disturbances of thirst and fluid balance. |vauthors=Rolls BJ, Phillips PA | journal=Nutr Rev |date=March 1990 | volume=48 | issue=3 | pages=137–44 | pmid=2406645 | doi=10.1111/j.1753-4887.1990.tb02915.x}}{{cite journal|last1=Phillips|first1=Paddy A.|last2=Hodsman|first2=G. Peter|last3=Johnston|first3=Colin I.|title=Neuroendocrine mechanisms and cardiovascular homeostasis in the elderly|journal=Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy|date=January 1991|volume=4|issue=S6|pages=1209–1213|doi=10.1007/BF00114221|pmid=2009244|s2cid=32343396}}
Homeostatic capacity and aging
A hypothesis proffered by the proponents of the Palo Alto Longevity Prize is that the array of ailments associated with aging may be epiphenomena of eroding homeostatic capacity and the process of aging may be halted or reversed by restoring homeostatic capacity to that of a healthy young adult.{{cite web | url=http://paloaltoprize.com/faq/ | title=FAQ – Palo Alto Longevity Prize | publisher=Palo Alto Longevity Prize | accessdate=October 1, 2014 | archive-date=October 6, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006100629/http://paloaltoprize.com/faq/ | url-status=dead }}{{cite web | url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-09-09/silicon-valley-investor-backs-1-million-longevity-prize | title=Silicon Valley Investor Backs $1 Million Prize to End Death | publisher=Bloomberg Businessweek | date=September 9, 2014 | accessdate=October 1, 2014 | author=Ashlee Vance |author-link=Ashlee Vance}}{{cite press release | url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-million-longevity-prize-seeks-133000078.html | title=$1 Million Longevity Prize Seeks To "Hack The Aging Code" | publisher=Yahoo! Finance | date=September 9, 2014 | accessdate=October 1, 2014}}{{cite web | url=http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_26533364/silicon-valley-launches-another-bid-hack-aging-cheat | title=Silicon Valley launches another bid to 'hack' aging, cheat death | work=San Jose Mercury News | date=September 14, 2014 | accessdate=October 1, 2014 | author=Aaron Kinney}}{{cite web | url=http://paloaltopulse.net/2014/11/23/the-palo-alto-prize-a-moonshot-at-increasing-longevity/ | title=The Palo Alto Prize: A 'Moonshot' at Increasing Longevity | publisher=Palo Alto Pulse | date=November 23, 2014 | accessdate=December 8, 2014 | author=Victoria Thorp | archive-date=December 6, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206054958/http://paloaltopulse.net/2014/11/23/the-palo-alto-prize-a-moonshot-at-increasing-longevity/ | url-status=dead }}