The Reality That You Get Shorter Over Time?
Undoubtedly, adults typically shrink with advancing age.
From age 40 onward, individuals commonly shed about a centimeter of height per decade. Men experience height loss each year of 0.08-0.1%. Women often experience 0.12-0.14% per year.
Reasons Behind Decreasing Height
A portion of this loss results from progressively poor posture over time. People who maintain a stooped stance for extended periods – possibly during desk work – might notice their posture naturally assumes that hunched shape.
All people shed some height between morning and evening when gravitational force squeezes moisture from vertebral discs.
The Biological Process Explaining Shrinking
The change in our stature happens on a cellular scale.
Between ages 30-35, stature plateaus when skeletal and muscular tissue begin to diminish. The spinal cushions between our vertebrae lose hydration and gradually compress.
The porous interior in vertebrae, pelvis and lower limbs loses density. During this process, skeletal tissue condenses marginally becoming shorter.
Decreased muscle also influences vertical measurement: skeletal structures preserve their shape and dimensions by muscular pressure.
Is It Possible to Stop Shrinking?
While this process can't be prevented, the progression can be delayed.
Consuming a diet containing adequate calcium and vitamin D, participating in consistent weight-bearing exercise and avoiding tobacco and alcohol from younger adulthood may reduce the rate of bone and muscle loss.
Keeping correct spinal position helps prevent acceleration against shrinking.
Is Shrinking Stature Always Problematic?
Experiencing minor reduction isn't necessarily harmful.
Yet, significant skeletal and muscular decline as we grow older associates with chronic health conditions including heart-related conditions, bone density loss, joint inflammation, and movement difficulties.
Therefore, it's valuable to take preventive measures to support skeletal and muscular integrity.
