What Helps You Grow Taller?

Whether we like it or not, height is a very important factor in the way we judge people. A study by Australian researchers showed that men earn $1,000 per year more, on average, for every two inches taller they are than the mean. And while only 15% of American men are above six feet tall, 58% of Fortune 500 CEOs are taller than six feet. Height is associated with power, importance, and attractiveness.

Genetics and environment are the most important determining factors for height, but there are ways to help increase growth, especially before puberty.

Growth Plates

• At either end of all long bones in the human child and adolescent body, there are areas of tissue known as epiphyseal plates, or growth plates. These are the portions of tissue that allow your bones to continue to grow. Before the end of adolescence, these parts of the body are very vulnerable to injury, even more so than the nearby ligament; competitive sports and recreational activities are common causes of growth plate injury.

  In any case, some time during adolescence, these plates harden and become bone. After this point, growth is essentially over. There are some sources that suggest that exercises like yoga and pilates can increase the elasticity of the disks in your spine. There might be an inch or two of growth in these techniques, even after puberty; this is most likely height that has been lost to hunching or poor posture.

Supplements

• There are many supplements that claim to increase your height. Be warned that none of these are approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and there is little scientific evidence to support their efficacy.

  That said, there is some evidence that certain amino acids, such as L-arginine or lysine, might stimulate the pituitary gland in young adolescents to produce more of the human growth hormone (HGH) that your body naturally produces to stimulate growth. These effects are unproven, but amino acid supplements are natural, so if taken as directed, there is very little risk involved.

HGH Treatments

• Human growth hormone (HGH) is a very delicate and sophisticated protein molecule. It is found only in humans. There are plenty of sources online for growth hormone from animals, or for HGH sprays or pills. These are sure to be scams; avoid them.

  There is a pharmaceutical grade of HGH, which is available only with a doctor's prescription and can only be administered through injection. If you are concerned about your child's growth, consult a doctor about following a course of HGH treatments. If your child's pituitary gland is failing to produce a sufficient amount of HGH on its own, your doctor may prescribe such a course. Note that, because growth plates fuse over time, HGH treatments are only helpful for children and young teenagers. Also, HGH is a highly controlled substance, so if your child plays competitive sports, be sure to consult the guidelines for HGH use.

General Health

• All these treatments and supplements aside, there are a few general guidelines that can help to ensure that children and young adolescents grow to their full potential. Eating a healthy, balanced diet, sleeping for eight hours a night, avoiding large amounts of caffeine and keeping a low level of stress will keep growth from being inhibited.