The Topic Today is, “Why Do We Lose Height As We Age?”
This is exceptionally sad. Some studies show we begin shrinking as early as our 30s. Well, hell.
Men might gradually lose an inch between the ages of 30 to 70, and women can lose two inches. After80, we most likely lose another inch.
But Why?
Cartilage between our joints becomes increasingly worn out and osteoporosis causes the spinal column to become shorter. We often can lose lean muscle mass but gain fat. This is “sarcopenia,” which I’ve discussed before.
Sarcopenia, a decrease in muscle mass, leads to weakness and frailty and almost always a decrease in height. Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and subsequently fracture, which can also lead to a decrease in height.
Even worse, if we shrink too much, one to two inches in a year, we’re at significant rise for spinal and hip fractures and perhaps a higher risk of heart disease.
Ways to Ward Off Shrinking, Sarcopenia, Fractures, and Worse
Slouching and bad posture are contributors along with no physical activity, smoking, excessive alcohol use, too much caffeine, yo-yo dieting, and poor eating/nutrition. Taking steroids, whether corticosteroids or anabolic steroids, also places a person at higher rick.
We know this already, and our doctors tell us endlessly, we need to eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D (dairy, fruits, and vegetables) , and find some light weightlifting exercises to perform every day.
Remembering a Great Song From Our Misspent Youth
“Walk Away, Renee” originally by The Left Banke
And a few years later, a great cover by The Four Tops
Remembering a Book
Three books, actually. “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” and “The Honourable Schoolboy” and “Smiley’s People” by John Le Carré. This trilogy stars George Smiley, short, overweight, and bespectacled, a master spy totally unlike 007. Le Carré shows in impressive detail the inner and outer workings of a real-life Cold War spy service. Long, but very well worth readingl
Getting Old Ain’t for Sissies 