Is it True That You Lose Height with Age?

Without question, people tend to become shorter over the years.

Once past 40, adults typically drop approximately one centimeter every ten years. Men experience a yearly decrease in height around 0.08% to 0.1%. Females generally shed 0.12-0.14% annually.

What Causes Height Loss

Some of this reduction results from progressively poor posture over time. Those who develop a curved spinal position for extended periods – possibly during desk work – might notice their posture naturally assumes that hunched shape.

All people shed some height from start to end of day while gravity presses water from intervertebral discs.

Natural Mechanisms of Height Loss

Height alteration happens on a cellular scale.

During the early thirties, stature plateaus when skeletal and muscular tissue gradually reduce. The cushioning discs between our vertebrae lose hydration and begin shrinking.

The porous interior in vertebrae, pelvis and lower limbs loses density. When this happens, skeletal tissue condenses somewhat becoming shorter.

Diminished muscle mass additionally affects our height: bones maintain their form and size by muscular pressure.

Ways to Slow Stature Reduction?

Even though this transformation cannot be halted, it can be slowed.

Consuming a diet containing adequate calcium and vitamin D, engaging in regular weight-bearing exercise and avoiding tobacco and alcohol from younger adulthood could slow how quickly bone and muscle diminish.

Practicing good alignment also provides protection against shrinking.

Is Getting Shorter Always Problematic?

Experiencing minor reduction could be normal.

Yet, significant bone and muscle loss with aging associates with long-term medical issues like heart complications, osteoporosis, arthritic conditions, and physical limitations.

Therefore, it's valuable to adopt safeguarding habits to maintain skeletal and muscular integrity.

Joseph Liu
Joseph Liu

Veterinarian and pet wellness advocate with over 10 years of experience in animal care and nutrition.