Fact or Fiction That You Lose Height Over Time?
Undoubtedly, individuals often lose height as they grow older.
Once past 40, individuals commonly shed about a centimeter each decade. Men undergo height loss each year between 0.08% and 0.1%. Women often experience 0.12-0.14% annually.
What Causes Decreasing Height
Some of this reduction stems from progressively poor posture with aging. Individuals who adopt a hunched back posture for extended periods – perhaps while working – could find their spine gradually adapts that hunched shape.
All people shed some height between morning and evening as gravity compresses moisture from vertebral discs.
The Biological Process Explaining Shrinking
The change in our stature takes place gradually.
From 30 to 35 years old, growth ceases when skeletal and muscular tissue begin to diminish. The cushioning discs between our vertebrae lose hydration and gradually compress.
The porous interior of spinal, pelvic and leg bones becomes less dense. As this occurs, the bone compresses slightly becoming shorter.
Reduced muscular tissue further impacts our stature: skeletal structures preserve their structure and measurements through muscular tension.
Is It Possible to Stop Stature Reduction?
Although this change isn't stoppable, the progression can be delayed.
Consuming a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, participating in consistent resistance training and avoiding tobacco and alcohol from younger adulthood may reduce the rate of bone and muscle loss.
Maintaining proper posture also provides protection of stature loss.
Is Height Loss Concerning?
Experiencing minor reduction isn't necessarily harmful.
But, considerable bone and muscle loss with aging associates with long-term medical issues like cardiovascular issues, brittle bones, osteoarthritis, and mobility challenges.
Therefore, it's valuable to implement protective strategies to support skeletal and muscular integrity.
