If you want to add some inches to your height, there are a lot of things you should know about your body. Your height is determined not only by genetics (which you can’t control or change), but also by your bones and muscles. Having strong, healthy bones while you are young and through your teens can help your bones grow more. Around the age of 19-22, our bones stop growing and fuse together. But there are still ways to answer the popular question, “How can I get taller?”Health and Disease
Exercise is a healthy option, but the right exercises are more important. Running, swimming, yoga, stretching, martial arts, biking and rock climbing can all help you get taller. These exercises rely on muscles stretching and strengthening, which will help you stand taller. Healthy stretching will help lengthen your muscles, but it is important to know when enough is enough. Do not overextend joints or risk tearing muscles just to add an inch or two. Heavy weightlifting is an example of an exercise that will not specifically aid in getting taller. Instead, it can cause strain on your muscles, and if done improperly, can lead to broken bones.
If you are past puberty, you are still able to increase your height via stretching exercises. These elongate your spine. Combine stretching exercises with the correct diet. Grow Taller 4 Idiots book provides the way to maximize your height before and during puberty, as well as increase your height after puberty using stretching exercises and other techniques. You can read my experience of using Grow Taller 4 Idiots here.
If you are under the age of 19, your bones likely have not fused yet, meaning they are still growing. However, if you or your parents are concerned about your height, visit an endocrinologist. These specialist doctors are trained in diagnostics of diseases that affect your glands (and your glands release the chemicals that make you grow). An endocrinologist will be able to tell you if there is medical condition causing your body’s lack of growth, such as a problem with your pituitary gland. It is possible that your body is not producing enough growth hormone. In these cases, an endocrinologist may prescribe growth hormone replacement therapy.
Paying attention to your bones and muscles
No matter how old you are, it is imperative to take good care of your bones and muscles. This includes a diet that is rich in protein, calcium, phosphorous and magnesium. A healthy diet will also increase your metabolism, helping you exercise more and sleep better. Vitamins A, B12, C, D and F are all linked to growth and bone health. Ask your doctor about the proper intake for these vitamins based on your diet.
Minerals are just as important as vitamins for healthy bones. Chromium aids in the growth process and can be found in meat, brewer’s yeast, shellfish and clams. Calcium strengthens teeth and bone and is found in dairy products, soybeans, dried beans and dark, green vegetables. Iodine, which promotes growth by helping the thyroid gland to function properly, is found in salt, seafood, onions and kelp. However, too much iodine can be harmful, so check with your doctor before starting any new diet. And then there’s phosphorous, which works with calcium to help your bones grow and stay strong. Fish, poultry, eggs, nuts and whole grains are a great source of phosphorous.
Although the mentioned vitamins and minerals are beneficial to any diet, it is important to know the appropriate daily intake for each vitamin and mineral. It is also important to have a well-rounded diet, full of fruits and vegetables. The benefits of a balanced diet far outweighs any fad diet, both in the short- and long-term effects.
What To Avoid
Your body produces a lot of chemicals and hormones, which are essential to maintaining health and keep a body growing. If you’re one of the thousands of people asking, “How can I get taller,” you should know that foreign substances (those that do not occur in the body naturally) can stunt your growth and should be avoided. It is best to stay away from caffeine, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, alcohol and industrial chemicals. Teenagers should especially avoid these items as their bones will continue to grow for a few years.
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