With age, many people notice that their height decreases by several centimeters. It is a natural process associated with changes in bone, cartilage and muscle tissue, reports Livescience .
When and why people become lower
A study conducted by the US National Institute, which lasted for 35 years and covered 2084 men and women, has shown that people have begun to lose their height from about 30 years, and this process is gradually accelerating with age. According to the study, men on average lose about 3 cm, and women - up to 5 cm in the period from 30 to 70 years. By 80 years, height losses are about 5 cm in men and up to 8 cm in women. The main reason for the decrease in growth is the gradual degradation of bone tissue.
How is bone destruction
The bones begin to form at the eighth week of pregnancy and continue to grow up to 25 years. During growth, they become denser under the influence of muscle mass, which stimulates the formation of collagen fibers and improves blood circulation, contributing to bone growth. However, when a person reaches 25-30 years, the process of bone growth stops, and from about 40-50 years begins a gradual loss of bone mass.
The bones consist of collagen protein and minerals of hydroxyapatitis that form a bone matrix. According to Merian Hannan, an epidemiologist from Harvard Medical School, when the bone mass begins to decrease, these structures weaken, which can lead to microbereals and destruction of tiny bone compounds. The accumulation of such injuries can cause osteoporosis - a disease that makes the bones thin, brittle and weak, increasing the risk of fractures, especially in the spine, hips and hands.
The effect of muscle mass on loss of growth
The age -old height loss is also associated with a decrease in muscle mass that occurs in the elderly. This condition is known as sarcopenia, and it causes a weakening of the bone structure and increases the likelihood of bone loss. The loss of the muscles around the trunk reduces the ability of a person to keep equal posture, which also helps to reduce growth.
Unlike osteoporosis for which there is treatment, sarcopy is not treated.
Scientists also emphasize that reducing growth can indicate more serious health problems. Despite the fact that the exact cause of this phenomenon is not fully understood, numerous studies have established a link between the loss of growth and the development of serious diseases, such as respiratory disorders and cardiovascular problems.
Thus, loss of growth with age is not only a natural process, but also a potential marker of serious health problems that need attention and control.
