A question that echoes in the minds of many individuals who fell short of hitting the height they desired. Many adults wish for just a few more inches in their height metrics.
But is the dream of growing taller after the growth spurt merely wishful thinking?
Or Is it possible for this dream to manifest in the 3-D dimension?
Many factors influence an individual’s height, and genetics predominantly account for 80% of it. Lifestyle, nutrition, sleep cycle, posture, and exercise shape the remaining 20%. Can this remaining 20% impact your height after your growth spurt? Let’s understand the science behind height a little more…
What is growth spurt?
The growth spurt is a transformative phase when children (babies to adolescents) experience rapid growth in height, weight, and physical appearance. Understanding Growth spurts is necessary as it is as unique as every child and works differently for every individual at a different pace. For some children, the growth spurt coincides with puberty, resulting in a sudden surge in growth, while for others, it is a gradual and continuous progression.
Growth spurt in boys vs girls
During puberty, both boys and girls experience growth spurts, but at different ages. Boys typically experience a growth spurt between the ages of 10- 15 years, while girls hit their spurt from 8-13 years of age. There are multiple exceptions to the common belief that height growth stops after 18-20 years. Excluding the genetic influences on height, many other factors boost and support height growth.
What are the factors influencing height growth?
Essential Nutrients:
Nutrition plays a pivotal role in height growth. Here are some important nutrients you can include in your diet to boost height growth:
- Protein: Protein is essential for bone growth and density. It also aids in healing muscles and tissues. You require 7 grams of protein for every 20 pounds of your body weight. Fish, lean meats, legumes, lentils, millets, and eggs are good sources of protein.
- Calcium: Bone quality and density are vital aspects of height growth. Calcium provides your bones with the required density and strength to sustain a good stature. Green leafy vegetables, milk products, cottage cheese, tofu, and almonds are rich in calcium.
- Vitamin D: Calcium without vitamin D is not of much help. Your body requires vitamin D for the proper digestion of calcium to reap its benefits. Sunlight is the best natural source of vitamin D, but it can also be found in fortified milk products, cereals, and supplements. Vitamin D deficiency is common and can be the reason for stunted height growth.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis, which is responsible for the cartilage formation in your body. Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, broccoli, bell peppers, and tomatoes are rich in vitamin C.
- Magnesium: It is responsible for bone formation and maintenance of your bone density. Include nuts, grains, and leafy vegetables for proper intake of magnesium.
- Zinc: Zinc helps in bone growth and development. Eat red meat, poultry, seafood, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
- Iron: Iron is important for the production of haemoglobin that carries oxygen to cells and tissues in the body. Iron-rich foods include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, tofu, spinach, and fortified cereals.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are responsible for the overall growth and wellness of the body. Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts, are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Understanding nutrition and its role in height growth is crucial, as proper nourishment not only aids height growth but also keeps you energised and fit and promotes overall well-being.
Adequate Sleep:
One may wonder what sleep has to do with height, right?
You’ll be surprised to know that your sleep cycle has a direct impact on your height. Quality sleep is a must for the growth and development of the body. While sleeping, our body undergoes various processes. One key process is the release of the growth hormone(GH). Often referred to as the Youth hormone, it is released while sleeping. It stimulates the growth of bones, muscles, and tissues responsible for optimal height development. That’s right! You could be growing while dreaming. Apart from this, quality sleep also aids in the general well-being and healing of the body.
Body Posture:
A study shows that 34%- 50% of children have different degrees of bad posture. Over time, bad posture and slouching can stunt your height growth. Bad posture or slouching leads to compression of the vertebrae, which causes a reduction in height. A good posture enables you to assume a taller look and boosts confidence.
Physical Activity:
Physical activities such as weight training, cardio, running, stretching, and sports are very effective for height growth. These activities induce the release of the growth hormone (GH) from pituitary glands. GH promotes the growth and development of cartilage, tissues, muscles, and bones. Daily activity also regulates hormones and blood flow in the body and helps with overall well-being. Physical activity maintains good posture and promotes good posture and spinal health.
The quest to grow taller after a growth spurt is not just wishful thinking, as science and lifestyle factors help shape this dream into reality. While genetics dominate the height realm, the remaining 20% can be influenced by constant vigilance. The food we consume, our sleep cycle, our posture, and the activities we engage in each play a pivotal role in our fight to grow our height.
Conclusion
As you navigate the complex interplay of factors influencing height growth, it is best to follow a holistic approach to ensure gaining those few inches you wish for. Good nutrition is a challenging goal to achieve as our diets often lack the full spectrum of essential nutrients which is why you can add height growth protein powder to your diet. Its multitude of ingredients supplies your body with the complete set of required nutrition for optimal height growth.
Remember, while genetics may lay the foundation for your height scope, it is our vigilance to follow these lifestyle habits for maximising growth potential. These changes eventually shape our stature. Here’s to embracing the journey of height growth with intention, dedication, and a commitment to nurturing our bodies in every dimension.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, supplements are not necessary for height growth. However, our diets lack many required nutrients that aid height growth, and supplements help to fill those nutrition gaps in our diet.
Activities such as walking, running, high-intensity workouts, badminton, football, or other sports are known to boost height growth.
You can not know that. Growth spurts work individually and are unique to every human. Some experience them at an early age, while some are late bloomers.
Yes, nutrition plays a pivotal role in height growth, and poor nutrition is known to stunt height growth. Height gain products are known to help to some extent.
