Abstract

Background: The survival of all biological systems depends on a series of complex pathways of maintenance and repair systems, which are the crucial components of the homeodynamic space of an individual. A progressive failure of maintenance and the consequent shrinkage of the homeodynamic space are the fundamental basis of ageing, age-related diseases and eventual death.

Mechanisms: Although longevity assurance genes do affect the essential lifespan of a species, there are no gerontogenes with the specific function to cause ageing and to limit the lifespan of an individual.

Approaches: Age-related diseases and other health problems may be better tackled by abandoning the futile hope of discovering the one-shot age-reversing or anti-ageing treatments. Developing realistic, practical and wholistic methods, such as mild stress-induced hormesis by physical, nutritional and mental hormetins, for maintaining health for a longer period are more likely to succeed.

Keywords: Homeodynamics, homeostasis, hormetics, hormesis, hormetin, longevity, stress.

Graphical Abstract