Why do people still get shorter as they age? "Height reduction" may be related to these reasons

As the saying goes, "People get shorter as they get older." Why does a person's height "shrink" as they age? Recently, a US study said that this is the result of the combined effects of bone "self-consumption", cartilage thinning and muscle atrophy.

"Shrinking" starts at age 30

Zhang Hongqi, director of the Department of Spine Surgery at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in Changsha, Hunan, said that the changes in a person's height throughout life can be divided into three stages. The first stage is childhood and adolescence, when a person's height grows rapidly. The second stage is adulthood, when the height remains basically stable. The third stage is old age, when a person's height gradually decreases with age.

According to a recent study published by the National Institute on Aging in the United States, people start to shrink at the age of 30, and the speed of shrinkage accelerates over time. The researchers followed up 2,084 men and women aged 17-94 for 35 years, and the results showed that men aged 30-70 became about 3 cm shorter on average, while women became about 5 cm shorter. By the age of 80, men became about 5 cm shorter and women became about 8 cm shorter.

How to slow down height loss

"Becoming shorter" is inseparable from the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and thoracic spine. The biggest impact is lumbar disc herniation caused by aging of the lumbar spine. If the elderly feel radiating pain or numbness in the waist and legs after sitting for a long time, spraining the waist by external force, or falling, they need to pay attention to this disease. Zhang Hongqi frankly said that when people reach a certain age, the lumbar disc will protrude to some extent. If it is within the normal range, there is no need to worry too much. Most people do not need surgery. Only those with serious conditions need surgical treatment. In addition to disc degeneration, Zhang Hongqi said that osteoporosis, spinal curvature, muscle atrophy, trauma and other factors can lead to a decrease in height.

So, how to slow down the shrinkage of height? Zhang Hongqi believes that first of all, we should maintain adequate calcium and vitamin D intake. Secondly, we need to do relevant training regularly to maintain a healthy weight. For example, walking, running, and weightlifting can help increase bone density and maintain muscle strength; yoga, Pilates or core muscle exercises can help enhance the stability of the spine and core muscles.

Regular screening and treatment for osteoporosis is equally important. Zhang Hongqi reminded middle-aged and elderly people, especially postmenopausal women, to pay special attention to such screening. "After menopause, women's estrogen levels also drop significantly, making them more susceptible to osteoporosis."