From a medical point of view, being too tall (dwarfism) or being too tall (gigantism) can be a sign of certain health conditions.
Height problems are not only physiological problems, but also affect the mental health and social life of individuals. In some cultural and social contexts, height is considered to be related to an individual's attractiveness, success, etc. While this perspective is gradually changing, for some people, height issues can lead to impaired self-esteem and social anxiety.
As a result, parents are paying more and more attention to the height of their children, especially the nutritional supplements.
Nutritional perspective: the composition and role of milk
Milk is a nutritious food that is widely recognized as beneficial for the growth and development of children and adolescents. Key ingredients include:
- Protein: The protein in milk is mainly casein and whey protein, which are essential for muscle growth and recovery in children.
- Calcium: Calcium is the main mineral that makes up bones and teeth, and milk is one of the best sources of calcium, which is extremely important for healthy bone growth.
- Vitamin D: Aids in the absorption and utilization of calcium, and milk is often fortified with vitamin D to enhance its bone health benefits.
Together, these ingredients work on the body, especially in childhood and adolescence, aiding in the growth and development of bones, which may have a positive effect on height gain.
Physiological and medical perspectives: determinants of height growth
Height growth is influenced by a variety of factors, including:
- Genetic factors: Scientific studies have shown that genetic factors are the main factors that determine an individual's final height, accounting for about 60%-80%.
- Nutritional status: Adequate nutrient intake, especially protein and calcium, is essential for bone health and growth and development.
- Growth hormone: Growth hormone secreted by the human body has a direct effect on promoting the growth of bone growth plates, which is also a key physiological process for height growth.
- Exercise: Moderate exercise can stimulate bone growth, especially activities that are beneficial to the leg bones such as jumping and running.
From a physiological and medical perspective, while the nutrients of milk have a positive effect on promoting healthy bone growth, its direct impact on height is limited and needs to be considered in conjunction with genetic factors, overall nutritional status, and other lifestyle factors.
The secret to gaining height
There are many tips on the internet for gaining height, some of which are based on science, such as eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. Especially during puberty, appropriate exercise, such as skipping rope and playing basketball, can effectively stimulate bone growth, and then promote the growth of height to a certain extent.
However, for adults, the skeletal growth plates gradually close after puberty, which means that the likelihood of height growth will be greatly reduced. Therefore, most of the so-called "height enhancement artifacts" or "quick-acting height enhancement methods" on the Internet lack scientific basis, and consumers should remain vigilant about this.
Grasp the meaning of the acquired effort
Males usually reach the peak of pubertal growth between the ages of 13 and 15, and the rapid growth in height can continue until about 16 to 18 years of age. Most men have growth plates that close between the ages of 18 and 21. As a result, the height of men is usually set around the age of 21. In rare cases, some men may have their growth plates close a little later, but the likelihood of continued height growth after the age of 22 is very low.
Female height increases
Females begin puberty earlier than males, usually between the ages of 11 and 13. Women have a shorter peak of height growth, and the rapid growth usually ends between the ages of 14 and 16. Most women have growth plates that close around the age of 16 to 18, and height is largely fixed at this age. There is little chance that a woman's height will continue to grow after the age of 18.
The possibility of secondary growth
Once the growth plate is closed, the length growth of the bone stops, which means that the height growth also stops. Medically, it is known that there is no natural way to trigger the length growth of the bone after the growth plate is closed, resulting in secondary growth. However, with proper diet, proper exercise, and good posture, posture and appearance can be improved to a certain extent, making the individual look more erect.
The efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical and health products that claim to be able to achieve secondary height growth in the market is a complex and worthy of attention. For such products, careful evaluation from a scientific and medical point of view is required:
- Heightened after growth plate closure: The growth plate (epiphyseal plate) in adults is usually closed, which means that the growth of bone length has stopped. There is currently no reliable scientific evidence that any supplements can reopen closed growth plates or promote bone length growth.
- Hormone supplementation: Certain products on the market may contain or claim to contain growth hormone or other similar substances. It is important to note that the use of growth hormone needs to be done under the guidance of a doctor, as improper use can lead to serious health problems.
Security considerations
- Unverified Ingredients: Some commercially available health supplements may contain ingredients that are not clearly listed on the label, including pharmaceutical ingredients, which may cause unpredictable side effects or interactions with other medications.
- Regulatory status: The supervision of health products is not as strict as that of drugs, and the authenticity of product quality and publicity may be variable. Consumers should be wary of manufacturers' claims, especially for products that claim to achieve significant results but are not backed up by science.
- Professional advice: For individuals who want to improve their height or posture, the best course of action is to consult a doctor or professional health consultant. They can provide advice based on medical knowledge, including whether hormone levels or other medical measures are needed.
- Integrative approach: Maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are key to promoting good health. While these methods may not result in significant height gains, they are essential for maintaining good body shape and general health.
In short, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support the effectiveness and safety of pharmaceutical and health products that claim to be able to achieve secondary height growth on the market. Consumers should conduct adequate research and consult a medical professional before considering the use of such products to ensure safety and health.