🔗 Share this article The Reality That You Get Shorter with Age? Without question, individuals often lose height as they grow older. Once past 40, humans generally lose about a centimeter of height per decade. Men undergo a yearly decrease in height of 0.08-0.1%. Women typically lose 0.12-0.14% per year. Reasons Behind Shrinking Stature Part of this decrease stems from increasingly slumped posture as we age. Individuals who adopt a hunched back posture throughout the day – maybe at their workstation – might notice their spine gradually adapts to that position. All people shed in height from start to end of day while gravity presses water from intervertebral discs. Physical Changes Behind Height Reduction The change in our stature occurs at a microscopic level. Between ages 30-35, growth ceases when skeletal and muscular tissue start declining. The cushioning discs within our backbone become dehydrated and start contracting. The honeycomb structure in vertebrae, pelvis and lower limbs reduces in thickness. During this process, the bone compresses marginally and shortens. Decreased muscle also influences our height: skeletal structures preserve their structure and measurements by muscular pressure. Can We Prevent Stature Reduction? Even though this transformation isn't stoppable, the rate can be reduced. Eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, engaging in regular weight-bearing exercise and reducing tobacco and alcohol from younger adulthood may reduce the rate of bone and muscle loss. Keeping correct spinal position offers additional safeguarding against shrinking. Is Height Loss Always Problematic? Losing some height isn't necessarily harmful. Yet, significant skeletal and muscular decline with aging connects to chronic health conditions like cardiovascular issues, bone density loss, arthritic conditions, and mobility challenges. Therefore, it's valuable to take preventive measures to maintain structural tissue wellness.