Fact or Fiction That You Get Shorter with Age?
Without question, people tend to become shorter over the years.
From age 40 onward, individuals commonly shed approximately one centimeter every ten years. Men undergo a yearly decrease in height of 0.08-0.1%. Women typically lose 0.12-0.14% per year.
Factors Contributing to Height Loss
A portion of this loss results from increasingly slumped posture over time. People who maintain a hunched back posture over long durations – possibly during desk work – might notice their posture naturally assumes that hunched shape.
Everyone loses some height throughout each day when gravitational force squeezes water from intervertebral discs.
Physical Changes Explaining Shrinking
Height alteration takes place gradually.
From 30 to 35 years old, height stabilizes as our structural tissues gradually reduce. The vertebral discs separating our spinal bones lose hydration and begin shrinking.
The honeycomb structure in vertebrae, pelvis and lower limbs reduces in thickness. When this happens, the bone compresses somewhat and shortens.
Decreased muscle also influences our stature: bones maintain their structure and measurements by muscular pressure.
Can We Prevent Height Loss?
While this process cannot be halted, the rate can be reduced.
Consuming a diet containing adequate calcium and vitamin D, engaging in regular strength-building activities and reducing tobacco and alcohol beginning in youth could slow how quickly bone and muscle diminish.
Practicing good alignment helps prevent acceleration of stature loss.
Is Getting Shorter Concerning?
Losing some height may not be problematic.
But, considerable skeletal and muscular decline as we grow older connects to long-term medical issues like cardiovascular issues, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and movement difficulties.
Thus, it's worthwhile to adopt safeguarding habits to maintain skeletal and muscular integrity.
