Unlock the height growth secrets: How your body grows taller Everyone knows that we cannot grow taller overnight since the height development of human beings is extremely complicated and time-demanding. In one’s life span, our brains and organs produce various hormones that influence physical and cognitive growth, some of which directly affect our optimal adult height, like growth hormones, sex hormones, and thyroid hormones. Specifically, growth hormones interact with the epiphyseal plates near the ends of our long bones, urging these soft and flexible cartilage cells to stretch and form new bones. Meanwhile, sex and thyroid hormones respectively assist the reproductive and metabolism systems. When puberty hits, it actively boosts the production of these hormones, leading to significant changes in our mental and physical states. A scientific review published in the National Library of Medicine stated that pubertal growth has contributed nearly 12 inches (30 centimeters) to boys’ final height and 11 inches (28 centimeters) to girls’ [1]. The results are impressive, yet the growth gap makes us question the true role of gender in this case. Does gender affect height? Without any doubt, the answer is yes! Whether you are a boy or a girl will decide how much potential and time you have to grow taller simply because puberty hits differently for both genders. As mentioned above, when kids enter the maturity period, they will experience a series of changes, including a height spurt that brings them to their final adult height. Girls usually welcome puberty from 11 to 15, whereas boys start one year later but are unlikely to stop growing until 16 or 17; some even earn an inch or two in their twenties [2]. Though puberty time differs from boy to girl and person to person, one fact remains unchanged: once the epiphyseal plates fuse completely, we cannot grow taller naturally at all costs [3]. That is when the cartilage tissues are completely replaced by blood vessels and fixed bones, ceasing the vertical lengthening of the body frame and signaling that we have fully developed. Other factors influence your height growth progress Let's break down all the internal and external elements other than gender identity that leave their imprint on our way of achieving the desired stature! Genetics DNA explains why children born in families with tall genes will effortlessly attain an impressive height compared to those with short inheritances. Genetic properties also run through family members and relatives, which means blood-related siblings living under the same roof are unlikely to have a big height gap. Besides, other genetic illnesses like Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, Marfan syndrome, etc. also affect the predetermined adult height. Nutrition conditions While genes account for 60–80% of your height growth, nutrients and other factors listed below take responsibility for the rest. Statistics from a 2019 survey show that kids from underdeveloped or developing countries who are at higher risk of malnutrition are more likely to appear shorter than those in wealthy regions [4]. Health-wise, our body requires tons of nutrients to build strong bones and muscles. Some essentials are: Vitamin D: We can absorb vitamin D from natural sunlight and the consumption of vegetables, fruits, and dairy products (salmon, tuna, mushrooms, oranges, soy milk, etc.). Vitamin B complex: Vitamin B1 and B6 regulate our metabolism and digestive system, ensuring the nutrients are well absorbed into our body. Vitamin C: This powerful antioxidant helps strengthen our immune system and prevent seasonal illnesses like flu or fever. Thus, our body can restore more energy to build muscles and bones rather than fighting against viruses and bacteria. Calcium: Calcium is undoubtedly the most important micronutrient for height growth since it is the main component of our bones. Protein: While calcium directly benefits bone production, lean protein keeps our body from obesity, which may hinder our height. Exercise and sleep habits It is crucial to engage yourself in appropriate amounts of physical activity to avoid overweight, heart disease, and high blood pressure, all of which cause severe damage to overall wellness. If you are an outdoor person, try playing a new sport like basketball, badminton, tennis, cycling, or swimming, while indoor friends can do yoga or stretching at home. As long as you are consistent with your training, the results will be worth it! Besides exercising, the role of high-quality sleep is unignorable, especially for kids and teens. During your sleep, the brain will start its cell regeneration cycle and promote more growth hormones. Of course, one or two sleepless nights will not cause immediate consequences, but they will stunt your growth in the long run. Adults require at least 8 hours of sleep, whereas kids and teens may need more than 10 hours a day to ensure healthy maturation. Who is the tallest living man? The man who officially owns the title “World’s Tallest Man” is Sultan Kösen, a part-time farmer in Turkey. Back in 2009, his height was measured by Guinness World Records to be a towering 8 feet 1 inch in height, making him the tallest living man on Earth. Surprisingly, Sultan had his stature measured again two years later, and the results were 8 feet 2.8 inches. Who is the tallest woman on Earth? Rumeysa Gelgi, also from Turkey, was recognized as the world’s tallest woman with a stunning height of 7 feet 0.7 inches, in 2021. She has a rare health condition named Weaver syndrome that causes overgrowth. However, this is not her first world record since she already became the tallest teenager in the world in 2014. In conclusion, Gender identity has its influence on our height, yet other factors like genes, nutrition intake, sleep, and exercise also prove their relevance. While internal means are unchangeable, you can improve the external variants by adding more nutritious foods to your diet, drinking more water, exercising, etc. during your developing years to reach your desired height. Related product: Vitamins for Growth Height for Teenagers - - - - References: [1] World Health Organization. (n.d.). Fact sheets: malnutrition. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malnutrition?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnqK1BhBvEiwAi7o0X4W3ET5qSJyIpngjrUbIH0x1e826b6Jx1jPwEoWS9lcyuCvaBb9-_xoCJVsQAvD_BwE# [2] Arain, M., Haque, M., Johal, L., Mathur, P., Nel, W., Rais, A., Sandhu, R., & Sharma, S. (2013a). Maturation of the adolescent brain. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3621648/ [3] Y; A. (n.d.). The growth plate: A physiologic overview. open reviews. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32953135/#:~:text=During%20the%20terminal%20phase%20of,and%20the%20growth%20plate%20closes. [4] Van Rossem, R., & Pannecoucke, I. (2019, January 2). Poverty and a child’s height development during early childhood: a double disadvantage? A study of the 2006–2009 birth cohorts in Flanders. PloS one. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6314581/ NuBest
