WHY DOES A PERSON GETS SHORTER?
- Poor posture reduces the average height of mature adults by 1 inch (2.5 cm), sometimes even more.
- Osteoporosis
- Cartilage damage – especially in our ankle, knee and hip joints.
- Compression of the spinal discs – the vertebrae in our back make up a large part of our height due to the compression of the spine due to gravity going down over many years.
WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO MINIMIZE HEIGHT DECREASE?
Our spine consists of 24 vertebra and 23 vertebral disks. The main purpose of these disks is to give flexibility to our spine. Otherwise, our body would be stiff. Also, disks absorb the shocks as we walk. Therefore, these disks are soft and sponge-like. Unfortunately, we get shorter as we age, our flexibility decreases and the thickness of these disks decrease.
The studies showed that 25% of the individuals experience a type of degenerative disk disease before 40 years old. This is the primary reason for decreased height. This might be concerning but there are some things you can do to prevent getting short.
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT HEIGHT DECREASE?
- Low intensity exercises that include stretching can stimulate the blood circulation for the disks between your cartilage and vertebra. Yoga is the best example.
- Long-term intake of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in terms of diet and supplementation has been found to prevent disc degeneration, especially if the supplement is taken at an early stage in life.
- Another important factor is to be hydrated all the time.
- Men and women should drink at least 1.6-2 liters of water every day and exercise regularly. Water not only helps the body functions to be proper but also protect the flexibility of the disks between the vertebra.
- In our clinic, we provide personalized spine support devices to patients with degenerative spine disease and posture disorders, we prevent height loss in these patients and at least slow them down.
