Fact or Fiction That Your Height Decreases as You Age?
Without question, people tend to become shorter with advancing age.
From age 40 onward, humans generally lose about a centimeter every ten years. Men experience a yearly decrease in height between 0.08% and 0.1%. Females generally shed 0.12-0.14% per year.
Reasons Behind Decreasing Height
Some of this reduction stems from increasingly slumped posture as we age. People who maintain a curved spinal position throughout the day – perhaps while working – may discover their spine gradually adapts to that position.
All people shed some height from start to end of day while gravity presses fluid from spinal discs.
The Biological Process of Height Loss
Our height transformation occurs at a microscopic level.
During the early thirties, stature plateaus when skeletal and muscular tissue start declining. The spinal cushions between our vertebrae become dehydrated and gradually compress.
The lattice-like center in vertebrae, pelvis and lower limbs becomes less dense. During this process, the bone compresses slightly and shortens.
Reduced muscular tissue further impacts our stature: the framework sustains their form and size by muscular pressure.
Can We Prevent Shrinking?
Although this change cannot be halted, the progression can be delayed.
Eating foods high in calcium and D vitamins, participating in consistent resistance training and reducing tobacco and alcohol starting in early adulthood can decrease the decline of skeletal and muscular tissue.
Maintaining proper posture also provides protection of stature loss.
Is Getting Shorter A Health Issue?
Experiencing minor reduction isn't necessarily harmful.
However, substantial bone and muscle loss as we grow older connects to persistent health problems such as heart complications, osteoporosis, joint inflammation, and movement difficulties.
Consequently, it's beneficial to implement protective strategies to support skeletal and muscular integrity.
