It is a clear fact that being tall has its advantages, especially in modern society. It has been observed that being tall makes a person feel more confident about himself or herself. Many women are also known to be especially drawn towards tall men, possibly improving the latter’s success in dating. In some places, individuals who are of significant height tend to command more respect, compared to their shorter peers. The belief has long been that once you are an adult you can no longer grow taller. But now, it is thought possible to add some inches after puberty. Read on to learn more about what is alleged to be helpful in this regard.
Understanding height in humans
The height of individuals is mostly determined during their childhood and adolescence years. During this time, the growth plates (also known as Epiphyseal plates) at the end of bones are open. This allows the plates to be added onto, with the result being you getting taller. The rate at which they are added onto becomes very fast when experiencing growth spurts.
But at some point, you stop growing taller. This is because the epiphyseal or growth plates close and bones ossify. You practically stop growing from then on. There is no specific age when this happens. However, it is believed that growth plates typically close in females around the age of 20 and in males around 25. The long-held belief is that you stop growing when the plates close and bones fuse. If you are interested in knowing if your plates have closed, your doctor will usually recommend an X-ray examination.
But an interesting thing that many people do not know is that height does fluctuate. Your height changes on daily basis, even after your growth plates have closed. It is estimated that you may become up to 1% shorter in a day, albeit temporarily. This is because of the compression of fluid sacs between spinal discs arising from pressure created by the head and shoulders when standing. The compression, however, resolves when you lie down.
The height of individuals is mostly determined during their childhood and adolescence years. During this time, the growth plates (also known as Epiphyseal plates) at the end of bones are open. This allows the plates to be added onto, with the result being you getting taller. The rate at which they are added onto becomes very fast when experiencing growth spurts.
But at some point, you stop growing taller. This is because the epiphyseal or growth plates close and bones ossify. You practically stop growing from then on. There is no specific age when this happens. However, it is believed that growth plates typically close in females around the age of 20 and in males around 25. The long-held belief is that you stop growing when the plates close and bones fuse. If you are interested in knowing if your plates have closed, your doctor will usually recommend an X-ray examination.
But an interesting thing that many people do not know is that height does fluctuate. Your height changes on daily basis, even after your growth plates have closed. It is estimated that you may become up to 1% shorter in a day, albeit temporarily. This is because of the compression of fluid sacs between spinal discs arising from pressure created by the head and shoulders when standing. The compression, however, resolves when you lie down.
What Factors Determine How Much Taller you Can Grow?
There are two main factors that determine how tall you can get, namely: genetics and environment.
There are two main factors that determine how tall you can get, namely: genetics and environment.
Can Your Genetics keep you from growing taller?
This plays the principal role in determining how much taller you can grow. It is estimated that genetics influence height by 60-80 percent or more. The genes you inherit from your parents have a way of controlling how tall you will eventually become. There is a calculation that takes the heights of father and mother into account in having an idea of a child's growth potential. Ethnicity or race is a factor in how much taller people can get as well. For instance, an average Dutch or Dane man is known to be tall.
This plays the principal role in determining how much taller you can grow. It is estimated that genetics influence height by 60-80 percent or more. The genes you inherit from your parents have a way of controlling how tall you will eventually become. There is a calculation that takes the heights of father and mother into account in having an idea of a child's growth potential. Ethnicity or race is a factor in how much taller people can get as well. For instance, an average Dutch or Dane man is known to be tall.
Can The Environment Help Or Keep You from Growing Taller?
Environmental factors are responsible for the other part of height determination not influenced by genetics. Nutrition is the most notable of these factors. Protein intake is very crucial when it comes to growing taller. Children who are not given the right foods or suffer from malnutrition are less likely to attain their full growth potential. To emphasis this, the Japanese enjoyed increased fish protein intake after the war ended, with this leading to three inch improvement in average height.
A balanced diet, comprising mainly plants, is quite beneficial. In addition to proteins, foods rich in calcium and vitamin D will also be beneficial. Good nutrition may lead to people growing taller in successive generations.
Environmental factors are responsible for the other part of height determination not influenced by genetics. Nutrition is the most notable of these factors. Protein intake is very crucial when it comes to growing taller. Children who are not given the right foods or suffer from malnutrition are less likely to attain their full growth potential. To emphasis this, the Japanese enjoyed increased fish protein intake after the war ended, with this leading to three inch improvement in average height.
A balanced diet, comprising mainly plants, is quite beneficial. In addition to proteins, foods rich in calcium and vitamin D will also be beneficial. Good nutrition may lead to people growing taller in successive generations.
Is it really possible to grow taller after bone fuses?
As we noted earlier, the popular belief is that you can no longer grow taller after your growth plates close and bones fuse. But it has been observed that there are still some things you can do to improve height. Based on that, there appears a glimmer of hope that you may be able to grow taller after your bones fuse.
How is that possible since you are no longer able to add on new epiphyseal plates and your bones have fused? The height of a person depends mainly on the length of bones in the leg and spine. It is believed by some that only those in the legs become fused after puberty and so unable to be extended. But many of the bones in the spine do not fuse and so can be targeted to increase height.
As we noted earlier, the popular belief is that you can no longer grow taller after your growth plates close and bones fuse. But it has been observed that there are still some things you can do to improve height. Based on that, there appears a glimmer of hope that you may be able to grow taller after your bones fuse.
How is that possible since you are no longer able to add on new epiphyseal plates and your bones have fused? The height of a person depends mainly on the length of bones in the leg and spine. It is believed by some that only those in the legs become fused after puberty and so unable to be extended. But many of the bones in the spine do not fuse and so can be targeted to increase height.
What you can do to grow taller
There is a variety of things that have been suggested as being helpful for increasing height. But it has to be said that there is a degree of doubt that some of these can indeed help you grow taller after your bones fuse. We discuss below the options you may want to explore to achieve your goal.
There is a variety of things that have been suggested as being helpful for increasing height. But it has to be said that there is a degree of doubt that some of these can indeed help you grow taller after your bones fuse. We discuss below the options you may want to explore to achieve your goal.
Exercises That May Help You Grow Taller
Gravity is said to contribute to a person being short, at least to him or her looking that way. It compresses the spine and squeezes the cartilage. So, most of the exercises recommended for growing taller aim at combating the effect of this. These involve stretching the spine to reduce compression on it. The following are some routines that are thought to be helpful:
Cobra stretch – This is a pose in yoga that helps to stretch your spine. Also known as bhujangsana, a cobra stretch starts with you lying face down with palms kept under your shoulder. Then you bend your spine slowly upwards to form an angle. Maintain the position for up to 30 seconds and do 3-4 reps. In addition to stretching the spine, this exercise supposedly causes cartilages between vertebrae to grow.
Vertical bar hanging – The aim with this routine is to reduce compression on your spine to increase height. A solid bar capable of holding your weight will be required to do this exercise. This should be at a level where there is a distance of about six inches between your feet and the floor when hanging on it. Hang from the bar for about 20 seconds, perhaps longer if you can manage. You may swing back and forth while holding onto the bar. Also, try to touch the floor with your feet while hanging. The procedure may be repeated about three times. The weight of your body causes your spine to stretch and makes it more flexible.
Forward spine stretch – As the name suggests, this is an exercise that aims at stretching your spine. You start forward spine stretch by sitting on the floor with your feet in front. Keep your legs shoulder distance apart and stretch your arms in front while breathing in. Bend forward a little to touch your toes.
Pilates roll over – You begin this exercise by lying on your back with your arms by your sides. Keep your legs together, raise them up and try to touch the floor in the area above your head. Pilates roll over may sound quite daunting, but you will get used to it with time. It stretches the spine and lengthens your upper body.
Ankle weights – The aim with this exercise is to increase height in the lower part of the body. You do this by fastening weight to your ankles and trying to raise your leg. The idea is that ankle weights cause your legs to stretch. The exercise stretches cartilage between bones in the knee to improve mass. You should start with light weights at the initial stage and work up from there.
These are just some of the exercises that are believed to be potentially beneficial in helping you grow taller. Others suggestions include swimming, cycling, rope skipping and pelvic shift.
Gravity is said to contribute to a person being short, at least to him or her looking that way. It compresses the spine and squeezes the cartilage. So, most of the exercises recommended for growing taller aim at combating the effect of this. These involve stretching the spine to reduce compression on it. The following are some routines that are thought to be helpful:
Cobra stretch – This is a pose in yoga that helps to stretch your spine. Also known as bhujangsana, a cobra stretch starts with you lying face down with palms kept under your shoulder. Then you bend your spine slowly upwards to form an angle. Maintain the position for up to 30 seconds and do 3-4 reps. In addition to stretching the spine, this exercise supposedly causes cartilages between vertebrae to grow.
Vertical bar hanging – The aim with this routine is to reduce compression on your spine to increase height. A solid bar capable of holding your weight will be required to do this exercise. This should be at a level where there is a distance of about six inches between your feet and the floor when hanging on it. Hang from the bar for about 20 seconds, perhaps longer if you can manage. You may swing back and forth while holding onto the bar. Also, try to touch the floor with your feet while hanging. The procedure may be repeated about three times. The weight of your body causes your spine to stretch and makes it more flexible.
Forward spine stretch – As the name suggests, this is an exercise that aims at stretching your spine. You start forward spine stretch by sitting on the floor with your feet in front. Keep your legs shoulder distance apart and stretch your arms in front while breathing in. Bend forward a little to touch your toes.
Pilates roll over – You begin this exercise by lying on your back with your arms by your sides. Keep your legs together, raise them up and try to touch the floor in the area above your head. Pilates roll over may sound quite daunting, but you will get used to it with time. It stretches the spine and lengthens your upper body.
Ankle weights – The aim with this exercise is to increase height in the lower part of the body. You do this by fastening weight to your ankles and trying to raise your leg. The idea is that ankle weights cause your legs to stretch. The exercise stretches cartilage between bones in the knee to improve mass. You should start with light weights at the initial stage and work up from there.
These are just some of the exercises that are believed to be potentially beneficial in helping you grow taller. Others suggestions include swimming, cycling, rope skipping and pelvic shift.
Surgical procedure To Grow taller
Surgery is among the most likely options that will be suggested if you press your doctor hard for help in growing taller. But be warned that surgical procedures for this purpose can be quite painful. This is because they usually involve breaking the bone to lengthen it.
A popular option is the limb-lengthening surgery, also known as distraction osteogenesis or callus distraction. A surgeon makes a cutting (corticotomy) in the cortical bone layer around long bones in the legs. This procedure employs either internal or external approach. In the case of the former, the surgeon inserts a metal rod into the intermedullary cavity in the leg to keep it lengthened. A cylindrical metal fixator houses the lengthened leg in the case of the external method.
Researchers are working on other procedures that may help interested individuals grow taller. One of the promising ones is implantation of new growth plates, based on knowledge of stem cells and tissue engineering.
Surgery is among the most likely options that will be suggested if you press your doctor hard for help in growing taller. But be warned that surgical procedures for this purpose can be quite painful. This is because they usually involve breaking the bone to lengthen it.
A popular option is the limb-lengthening surgery, also known as distraction osteogenesis or callus distraction. A surgeon makes a cutting (corticotomy) in the cortical bone layer around long bones in the legs. This procedure employs either internal or external approach. In the case of the former, the surgeon inserts a metal rod into the intermedullary cavity in the leg to keep it lengthened. A cylindrical metal fixator houses the lengthened leg in the case of the external method.
Researchers are working on other procedures that may help interested individuals grow taller. One of the promising ones is implantation of new growth plates, based on knowledge of stem cells and tissue engineering.
Good diet
It is suggested that the kinds of foods you eat influences your height. This may then be assumed to mean that you can grow taller by eating the right foods. As we hinted earlier, things rich in calcium, vitamin D and protein can be useful for this purpose. Calcium, present in green vegetables and dairy products, facilitates bone growth and helps to guard against osteoporosis. Vitamin D promotes both bone and muscle growth. Proteins, present in foods such as eggs, fish, meat and legumes, are essential for growth. You should also consume more of foods rich in zinc, including oysters, peas and asparagus.
Some experts, however, say diet offers practically no benefits to adults looking to grow taller. They argue that nutrition is more of a factor during childhood and adolescence years.
It is suggested that the kinds of foods you eat influences your height. This may then be assumed to mean that you can grow taller by eating the right foods. As we hinted earlier, things rich in calcium, vitamin D and protein can be useful for this purpose. Calcium, present in green vegetables and dairy products, facilitates bone growth and helps to guard against osteoporosis. Vitamin D promotes both bone and muscle growth. Proteins, present in foods such as eggs, fish, meat and legumes, are essential for growth. You should also consume more of foods rich in zinc, including oysters, peas and asparagus.
Some experts, however, say diet offers practically no benefits to adults looking to grow taller. They argue that nutrition is more of a factor during childhood and adolescence years.
Restful sleep And Its Effect On Height
Another suggestion for growing taller is to always ensure you get restful nightly sleep. One of the key benefits a person gets from this is increased production of human growth hormone (HGH) in the body. This hormone promotes growth and development, including bone growth and higher bone mineral density.
So you may find it beneficial getting about 7-8 hours of sleep every night. But greater production of growth hormone during sleep is only possible when in the deep phase. You may not attain that state if you are the type that wakes over and over again while sleeping. A cup of chamomile tea before going to bed can help if you are difficulty getting quality sleep. A warm bath can also be beneficial.
Another suggestion for growing taller is to always ensure you get restful nightly sleep. One of the key benefits a person gets from this is increased production of human growth hormone (HGH) in the body. This hormone promotes growth and development, including bone growth and higher bone mineral density.
So you may find it beneficial getting about 7-8 hours of sleep every night. But greater production of growth hormone during sleep is only possible when in the deep phase. You may not attain that state if you are the type that wakes over and over again while sleeping. A cup of chamomile tea before going to bed can help if you are difficulty getting quality sleep. A warm bath can also be beneficial.
Good posture And Height
Many people look shorter than their potential because of their poor posture. Failure to know how to carry yourself may therefore be the problem. Hunching and rolling of shoulders adversely impact on the curvature of your spine. What could have counted part of your overall height becomes part of the curve as a result of these positions. Good posture can make you to appear taller. You can practice this by keeping your head level, with chest out, and face forward without looking down or up. This has the potential to even make you look more confident. Stretching exercises can enhance your success at this as well.
Many people look shorter than their potential because of their poor posture. Failure to know how to carry yourself may therefore be the problem. Hunching and rolling of shoulders adversely impact on the curvature of your spine. What could have counted part of your overall height becomes part of the curve as a result of these positions. Good posture can make you to appear taller. You can practice this by keeping your head level, with chest out, and face forward without looking down or up. This has the potential to even make you look more confident. Stretching exercises can enhance your success at this as well.
Growth Factor Plus An HGH Supplement To Help You Grow Taller
This is a supplement that helps to boost the natural production of growth hormone. There are many similar products, but this one focuses mainly on helping people grow taller. We already mentioned that HGH contributes to bone growth and strength. But after puberty, the secretion of the vital substance starts to decline and falls more drastically in succeeding years. This is whereGrowth Factor Plus comes in.
This supplement helps to make your pituitary gland to secrete more growth hormone. It is a great option for people ineligible to take prescription HGH injections. The target of this product is to lengthen the cartilage in the spine to increase height. You are more likely to be successful in adding some inches when you combine Growth Factor Plus with exercises, including the spine stretching exercises suggested earlier. You practically have nothing to use from buying this supplement. If you do not get results, its maker offers you opportunity to request 100% refund within 60 days of delivery.
There are also other options for looking taller, even when your natural height hasn’t really increased. These include:
• Wearing high-heel shoes
• Shedding body weight
• Putting on clothes that fit
• Dressing in outfits with horizontal stripes or lines
• Shedding body weight
• Putting on clothes that fit
• Dressing in outfits with horizontal stripes or lines
How much taller can you Grow?
It is relevant to state that you should not expect to become 6 inches or higher taller by following the suggestions here. What we consider realistic expectation is about 2-4 inches increase in height. However, we have seen a claim of Growth Factor Plus helping someone to add 5 inches to their height. The supplement’s manufacturers does say this is a not a product to help you grow 6 inches. So you need to be more realistic about your expectations.
It is obviously no longer true that you cannot add some inches to your height after your bones fuse. You may still be able to add up to four inches, maybe more, following the suggestions here. Do note that the results you get will significantly be influenced by genetics.
REFERENCES
https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2016/11/03/is-it-possible-to-increase-your-height/#74cf46975139
http://www.findhealthtips.com/grow-taller-after-puberty/
http://www.testshock.com/can-you-grow-taller/
http://www.md-health.com/How-To-Grow-Taller-After-21.html
http://worldsbeststeroids.com/how-to-grow-taller-discover-the-secret-formula/
http://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Taller
http://www.stylishwalks.com/best-exercises-increase-height-naturally-faster/
http://www.findhealthtips.com/grow-taller-after-puberty/
http://www.testshock.com/can-you-grow-taller/
http://www.md-health.com/How-To-Grow-Taller-After-21.html
http://worldsbeststeroids.com/how-to-grow-taller-discover-the-secret-formula/
http://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Taller
http://www.stylishwalks.com/best-exercises-increase-height-naturally-faster/
