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How to Increase Your Height and Grow Taller

author avatar Dr. Eric Berg 10/19/2024

Many people wish they were taller. If you're reading this, chances are you've probably searched "how to increase height" online and found yourself wading through countless articles promising miracle solutions.

But can you actually grow taller? And if so, how? The truth is, while genetics play a significant role in determining your height, other factors are within your control.

Throughout my years of practice, I've encountered many parents concerned about their children's growth, noticing disparities in height compared to their siblings.

Often, these discrepancies result from simple nutrient deficiencies that can be easily addressed through a proper diet and lifestyle changes.

Today, I'll share the exact recommendations I provided these parents to help you or your child maximize height potential.

How to Increase Height: What You Need to Know

Between the ages of one and the onset of puberty, children typically grow around two inches per year.

Once puberty hits, this growth accelerates to about four inches annually, eventually tapering off between the ages of 18 and 20. However, these are just averages.

Some individuals stop growing earlier or continue a bit longer, and that's perfectly normal.

While genetics create a predetermined range for your height, nutrient deficiencies or ignoring the growth plates can limit your ability to reach your full potential.

Let's discuss the key hormones and nutrients influencing height and what you can do to support healthy growth.

Word hormones on wooden cubes

The Crucial Role of Hormones in Height Growth

Three primary hormones play vital roles in growth: human growth hormone (HGH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and thyroid hormone.

Produced by the pituitary gland, HGH stimulates growth in various tissues, including bones. It works in tandem with IGF-1, which is made by your liver and directly promotes bone growth and multiplication.

Meanwhile, the thyroid gland produces hormones essential for metabolism and overall development, including skeletal growth.

When these hormones are deficient, it can significantly hinder growth, especially during childhood and adolescence.

Boosting Human Growth Hormone Production Naturally

Zinc deficiency frequently contributes to stunted growth in children and decreased HGH production in people of all ages.

This essential mineral participates in over 300 chemical reactions in the body.

Unfortunately, many dietary factors deplete zinc levels, such as consuming too many phytates and compounds found in grains, especially unrefined whole grains.

While often touted as a healthy choice, a diet high in whole grains can hinder zinc absorption.

Besides avoiding grains, limiting sugar, refined carbs, caffeine, and alcohol is important as they deplete zinc levels.

Additionally, incorporating zinc-rich foods like red meat and shellfish is crucial. If you're vegetarian or vegan, it's important to work with a nutrition professional to ensure adequate zinc intake through other sources.

Another critical factor for healthy HGH production is consuming sufficient protein. Restricting protein intake can inhibit HGH secretion, hindering optimal growth.

Prioritizing sleep is crucial for those aiming to maximize their height. While you sleep, growth hormone production increases significantly, highlighting the importance of quality sleep, especially during adolescence.

You can find valuable information about addressing insomnia and promoting better sleep in this helpful resource on how to fix your sleep schedule.

Additionally, addressing obesity is essential since excess body fat is linked to reduced growth hormone activation.

Similarly, smoking, both firsthand and secondhand, can negatively impact HGH levels, as can caffeine consumption, which is often excessive in teenagers.

Optimizing Other Essential Hormones

When discussing hormones and growth, considering liver health is essential. Since the liver produces IGF-1, any damage to this vital organ can impair its production.

Factors like high carbohydrate consumption and excessive-high fructose corn syrup can lead to fatty liver disease, negatively affecting IGF-1 production.

Similarly, the thyroid gland relies on adequate iodine levels for healthy hormone production. Without sufficient iodine, thyroid hormone production can become insufficient, leading to stunted growth.

Seafood and sea kelp are rich sources of iodine. However, those living inland should consider good trace mineral supplements to ensure adequate intake.

Practical Tips: How to Increase Height Potential

While we've covered important dietary factors influencing growth, let's look at some actionable tips that can help you maximize your or your child's height potential.

These suggestions provide a holistic approach to supporting growth during crucial developmental years.

Prioritize a Nutrient-Rich Diet

You know those food pyramids touted by government agencies? They might not be your best bet. Opting for the opposite of what's recommended often leads to better health outcomes, including optimizing height.

Minimize the intake of grains, starchy carbs like potatoes and rice, and replace them with healthy fats, proteins, and vegetables.

Avoid sugar-laden canned fruits and juices in favor of fresh, whole options. Contrary to conventional advice, embracing saturated fats like butter, coconut oil, and avocado oil while avoiding processed vegetable oils can actually benefit your health.

And remember, don't shy away from red meat, a fantastic zinc source. The healthy ketogenic diet embodies many of these principles and is worth exploring for optimal health and growth.

Vitamin K deficiency, Doctor writing on transparent screen

Address Nutritional Deficiencies

Supplementing with a good quality trace mineral complex, including zinc, is crucial. I recommend researching and considering a product called Pituitrophin PMG by Standard Process.

This excellent product can support pituitary gland function, optimizing growth hormone production. Remember to consult a healthcare professional for appropriate dosing and duration, which can vary depending on individual needs.

While I am not affiliated with this company, I've witnessed its effectiveness in some children. In addition to zinc, supplementing with vitamin D is also crucial, especially with increased time spent indoors and decreased sun exposure.

Aim to get outdoors in the sun for a few hours daily, or supplement with vitamin D if sun exposure isn't feasible. You can learn more about the importance of vitamin D in this informative video on vitamin D deficiency.

Lifestyle Changes For Maximizing Height Potential

Besides diet and supplementation, simple lifestyle modifications can significantly impact growth hormone production. Implement these practices for yourself or encourage your children to adopt them for a synergistic approach to increasing height potential.

Lifestyle Change

Benefits

Engaging in regular physical activity

Exercise has been shown to stimulate growth hormone production, with activities like sprinting and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) being particularly effective. Strength-building exercises and flexibility exercises, such as yoga, are also highly recommended for bone health and overall well-being.

Managing stress through techniques like yoga and meditation

Chronic stress can suppress growth hormone levels. Finding healthy ways to manage stress is essential for overall well-being, and promoting optimal hormone balance can impact growth.

Getting enough sleep

During deep sleep, the pituitary gland releases growth hormone. It's essential for children and teenagers to get around 8–10 hours of quality sleep each night for maximum growth and development. Young children ages 3-5 need around 10-13 hours of sleep. Toddlers ages 1-2 need around 11-14 hours of sleep. Teenagers ages 14-17 need around 8-10 hours of sleep. Adults ages 18-64 need around 7-9 hours of sleep, and older adults need around 7-8 hours of sleep. Getting enough sleep promotes HGH production, which is essential for growth.

Maintaining a healthy weight

Being overweight or obese can lead to insulin resistance, which may interfere with growth hormone production.

And there you have it. Incorporating these changes may help you reach your full growth potential and optimize overall health and well-being.

Now that you're armed with knowledge on maximizing your height, put these actionable tips to use. Remember, small, consistent efforts yield big rewards.

Wishing you the best on your journey to reach your optimal height and live a healthier, more vibrant life.

Nutrition and Growth: Benefits of Rosemary

Proper nutrition plays a vital role in height growth, especially during developmental years. While genetics determine much of a person’s height, key nutrients can maximize growth potential.

The benefits of rosemary include its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to improve digestion, which can aid in the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to bone health and growth.

Incorporating rosemary into your diet can support overall well-being and help unlock your body’s growth potential.

Conclusion

Understanding how to increase height involves a holistic approach, focusing on proper nutrition, sufficient sleep, targeted supplementation, and healthy lifestyle habits.

While genetics primarily determines your height, optimizing these factors during crucial developmental years can unlock your true potential.

Focus on nourishing your body, prioritizing sleep, managing stress, and seeking personalized advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

By incorporating these recommendations, you can maximize your chances of reaching your optimal height and overall well-being.

Supporting Data

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.707283/full

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11899020/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3453500/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3994591/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2630864/

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