10 Facts About Allostatic load

Allostatic load is "the wear and tear on the body" which accumulates as an individual is exposed to repeated or chronic stress.

Term allostatic load is "the wear and tear on the body" which accumulates as an individual is exposed to repeated or chronic stress.

Type 1 allostatic load occurs when energy demand exceeds supply, resulting in activation of the emergency life history stage.

Whereas both types of allostatic load are associated with increased release of cortisol and catecholamines, they differentially affect thyroid homeostasis: Concentrations of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine are decreased in type 1 allostasis, but elevated in type 2 allostasis.

Allostatic load is generally measured through a composite index of indicators of cumulative strain on several organs and tissues, primarily biomarkers associated with the neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, immune and metabolic systems.

Indices of allostatic load are diverse across studies and are frequently assessed differently, using different biomarkers and different methods of assembling an allostatic load index.

The rat cumulative allostatic load measure is a marker for allostatic load in rodents.

Allostasis and allostatic load are related to the amount of health-promoting and health-damaging behaviours like for example cigarette smoking, consumption of alcohol, poor diet and physical inactivity.

When tabulated in the form of allostatic load indices using sophisticated analytical methods, it gives an indication of cumulative lifetime effects of all types of stress on the body.

Type 1 allostatic load represents the adaptive response to an absolute lack in energy, glutathione and several macronutrients.