The Reality That You Lose Height Over Time?
Definitely, individuals often lose height with advancing age.
Once past 40, individuals commonly shed about a centimeter each decade. Men experience an annual height reduction around 0.08% to 0.1%. Women typically lose 0.12-0.14% annually.
What Causes Decreasing Height
Part of this decrease is caused by gradually worsening posture as we age. Those who develop a curved spinal position throughout the day – maybe at their workstation – could find their spine gradually adapts to that position.
We all decrease some height between morning and evening as gravity compresses water from intervertebral discs.
Natural Mechanisms Explaining Shrinking
The change in our stature occurs at a microscopic level.
From 30 to 35 years old, growth ceases when skeletal and muscular tissue gradually reduce. The spinal cushions between our vertebrae shed water and gradually compress.
The porous interior throughout our skeletal framework becomes less dense. As this occurs, the bone compresses slightly becoming shorter.
Decreased muscle further impacts our height: bones maintain their shape and dimensions via muscle force.
Can We Prevent Shrinking?
While this process can't be prevented, it can be slowed.
Following nutrition high in calcium and D vitamins, engaging in regular strength-building activities while limiting nicotine and alcohol from younger adulthood could slow the rate of bone and muscle loss.
Keeping correct spinal position also provides protection of height reduction.
Is Height Loss Always Problematic?
Experiencing minor reduction may not be problematic.
But, considerable deterioration of structural tissues with aging connects to chronic health conditions like heart complications, osteoporosis, joint inflammation, and physical limitations.
Consequently, it's beneficial to take preventive measures to support structural tissue wellness.
