Is it True That You Get Shorter with Age?
Without question, individuals often lose height over the years.
Once past 40, humans generally lose approximately one centimeter of height per decade. Men experience a yearly decrease in height around 0.08% to 0.1%. Women often experience 0.12-0.14% per year.
What Causes Height Loss
Some of this reduction is caused by progressively poor posture as we age. Individuals who adopt a stooped stance for extended periods – perhaps while working – may discover their posture naturally assumes to that position.
We all decrease vertical stature throughout each day when gravitational force squeezes water from intervertebral discs.
Natural Mechanisms Behind Height Reduction
The change in our stature happens on a cellular scale.
Between ages 30-35, height stabilizes as our structural tissues gradually reduce. The cushioning discs within our backbone become dehydrated and gradually compress.
The lattice-like center in vertebrae, pelvis and lower limbs reduces in thickness. During this process, the bone compresses marginally becoming shorter.
Diminished muscle mass also influences vertical measurement: bones maintain their structure and measurements by muscular pressure.
Ways to Slow Stature Reduction?
While this process can't be prevented, it can be slowed.
Eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, engaging in regular weight-bearing exercise while limiting nicotine and alcohol from younger adulthood could slow the rate of bone and muscle loss.
Maintaining proper posture also provides protection against shrinking.
Is Height Loss A Health Issue?
Experiencing minor reduction isn't necessarily harmful.
However, substantial bone and muscle loss with aging connects to chronic health conditions such as heart complications, bone density loss, osteoarthritis, and mobility challenges.
Therefore, it's valuable to implement protective strategies to maintain structural tissue wellness.
