Fact or Fiction That You Get Shorter Over Time?
Without question, adults typically shrink as they grow older.
After the age of 40, humans generally lose about a centimeter each decade. Men undergo height loss each year between 0.08% and 0.1%. Women typically lose 0.12-0.14% annually.
What Causes Decreasing Height
Some of this reduction is caused by increasingly slumped posture as we age. Those who develop a curved spinal position over long durations – maybe at their workstation – might notice their spine gradually adapts that curved alignment.
All people shed vertical stature throughout each day while gravity presses water from intervertebral discs.
Natural Mechanisms Behind Height Reduction
Our height transformation takes place gradually.
From 30 to 35 years old, stature plateaus as our structural tissues start declining. The spinal cushions within our backbone shed water and gradually compress.
The porous interior of spinal, pelvic and leg bones becomes less dense. During this process, the structure compact somewhat and shortens.
Diminished muscle mass further impacts vertical measurement: bones maintain their form and size through muscular tension.
Is It Possible to Stop Stature Reduction?
While this process isn't stoppable, the rate can be reduced.
Consuming a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, engaging in regular weight-bearing exercise and reducing tobacco and alcohol from younger adulthood could slow the rate of bone and muscle loss.
Keeping correct spinal position also provides protection against shrinking.
Is Height Loss A Health Issue?
Losing some height could be normal.
But, considerable bone and muscle loss with aging associates with long-term medical issues like heart complications, brittle bones, joint inflammation, and physical limitations.
Therefore, it's valuable to adopt safeguarding habits for preserving bone and muscle health.
