The Reality That You Get Shorter with Age?
Without question, adults typically shrink over the years.
From age 40 onward, adults typically drop approximately one centimeter every ten years. Men experience height loss each year of 0.08-0.1%. Women typically lose between 0.12% and 0.14% yearly.
Factors Contributing to Decreasing Height
A portion of this loss stems from gradually worsening posture as we age. Those who develop a curved spinal position over long durations – possibly during desk work – might notice their posture naturally assumes that curved alignment.
All people shed in height from start to end of day when gravitational force squeezes water from intervertebral discs.
Natural Mechanisms Explaining Shrinking
The change in our stature happens on a cellular scale.
From 30 to 35 years old, stature plateaus as bone and muscle mass start declining. The spinal cushions between our vertebrae lose hydration and gradually compress.
The porous interior throughout our skeletal framework becomes less dense. During this process, the bone compresses somewhat and shortens.
Diminished muscle mass further impacts our height: bones maintain their shape and dimensions through muscular tension.
Ways to Slow Stature Reduction?
Although this change isn't stoppable, the rate can be reduced.
Consuming a diet containing adequate calcium and vitamin D, performing routine strength-building activities while limiting smoking and drinking starting in early adulthood could slow the decline of skeletal and muscular tissue.
Keeping correct spinal position also provides protection against shrinking.
Is Getting Shorter A Health Issue?
Becoming slightly shorter could be normal.
But, considerable bone and muscle loss in later years links to persistent health problems including heart-related conditions, brittle bones, joint inflammation, and movement difficulties.
Therefore, it's valuable to implement protective strategies for preserving structural tissue wellness.