Ways to Become Taller Without Pills

Height can affect a person's personality and confidence because it can affect how others view him. Individuals who are shorter than average often seek solutions to their problem by turning to hormone supplements and pills. This, however, is not the only method available to increase height. Those looking to add a couple of inches can turn to more natural methods to become taller, or they can look to extreme measures that can effectively add height to the body.

Leg Lengthening Surgery

• Leg lengthening surgery is a procedure in which doctors break the bottom bones of a patient's legs, known as the fibula and tibia. Once the bones have been broken, patients have what is known as a fixator screwed into each leg through the outside of the skin. These fixators, which include two metal rings that are attached to extending rods, are expanded by the doctor in increments of two millimeters for a period of 12 days. After 12 days the fixators are removed, allowing the gaps left between the bone to fill with new bone. Therapy is then given soon after to teach patients how to walk with their new height. Patients can have two to three inches added to their initial height upon completion.

Exercise

• Exercise can add height if practiced regularly. In place of pills or supplements, individuals can perform a series of exercises that strengthen the spinal, abdominal and body muscles to support the body's weight. Exercises that require stretching and resistance, such as yoga and Pilates, help to stretch muscles and limbs, thus allowing cartilage around the bones to expand and add height. Stretching also enables the leg and arm muscles to lengthen and become relaxed. This helps to remove stress from the muscles and bones that may be compressed and prevent growth from occurring.

Healthy Diet

• A healthy diet can help improve the body's functions, as well as strengthen muscles and bones. Foods that are rich in calcium, zinc, magnesium, vitamin A and protein can help increase height, if consumed regularly. Foods like broccoli, papaya, fish, chicken and legumes provide vitamins and minerals needed to restore bone density, as well as repair and grow new tissue. In turn, bones in the spine and legs can become stronger, enabling them to support more body mass. New and restored healthy tissue can grow and expand, adding height to the body.