Is it True That You Lose Height as You Age?
Definitely, people tend to become shorter over the years.
Once past 40, individuals commonly shed roughly 1 cm of height per decade. Men experience an annual height reduction of 0.08-0.1%. Women often experience 0.12-0.14% per year.
Factors Contributing to Height Loss
Part of this decrease results from gradually worsening posture with aging. Individuals who adopt a stooped stance throughout the day – perhaps while working – could find their spine gradually adapts that hunched shape.
We all decrease in height from start to end of day when gravitational force squeezes moisture from vertebral discs.
The Biological Process Explaining Shrinking
The change in our stature occurs at a microscopic level.
From 30 to 35 years old, growth ceases when skeletal and muscular tissue begin to diminish. The cushioning discs within our backbone shed water and gradually compress.
The lattice-like center of spinal, pelvic and leg bones reduces in thickness. As this occurs, skeletal tissue condenses slightly reducing length.
Reduced muscular tissue further impacts our height: bones maintain their structure and measurements by muscular pressure.
Can We Prevent Stature Reduction?
While this process cannot be halted, it can be slowed.
Consuming a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, performing routine strength-building activities and avoiding smoking and drinking beginning in youth could slow how quickly bone and muscle diminish.
Keeping correct spinal position also provides protection against shrinking.
Is Height Loss Concerning?
Becoming slightly shorter could be normal.
But, considerable skeletal and muscular decline as we grow older associates with persistent health problems like cardiovascular issues, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and movement difficulties.
Therefore, it's valuable to implement protective strategies to support structural tissue wellness.
