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The Best Things to Do to Grow Tall

The desire to be taller is common at every age. While some people continue growing well into adulthood, many reach their maximum height during their late teens. Contrary to popular belief, it's genetics, not the amount of milk you consume, that will determine how tall you'll become. While there are no scientifically-proven ways to increase height, certain techniques have helped add a few inches for some.

  1. Genetics and Adolescence

    • The taller your parents are, the more likely it is you'll be tall, as well. Other factors, such as exercise and diet, play a less significant role but can make the difference of a few crucial inches. Milk and other calcium-rich foods can help maintain strong and healthy bones. Regular fitness routines also improve bone mass density and help growth. But once you reach puberty, your body reaches its highest human growth hormone level, signifying a final growth spurt. For both sexes, these growth spurts usually peak during the mid- to late teens. During this time, the body's growth plates, or areas of developing tissue that are found at the end of long bones, begin to fuse together, making your ability to grow further nearly impossible.

    Yoga and Posture

    • While there are claims that regular yoga practice can elongate your spine and add inches to your height, many of them are bogus. Exercise that improves your posture produces a similar effect. Basic stretching and poses can make you stronger, more energized and more flexible, which all help you stand straighter and appear taller.

    Elevator Shoes

    • If you're looking to improve more than your posture, "elevator shoes" or "tall shoes" can be a simple way to increase your height. These shoes, which are available in a variety of styles and materials, can add up to five extra inches, and are more comfortable than ladies' high heels.

    Leg Surgery

    • Since the 1950s, some people have resorted to painful and costly leg-lengthening procedures to add on a few inches. In this surgery, the doctor breaks the lower leg bones, then screws a fixator (extendable metal rods) to the ends of the broken bones. Each week, the doctor lengthens the fixator in small increments to gradually pull the bones further apart, so new bone can grow and fill in the gap. As these procedures can take up to six months, the patient must be confined to a wheelchair and undergo extreme physical therapy. As long as there are no complications, a patient can typically gain use of his new legs in a year.

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