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Safe ways to (hopefully) add a few inches to your height
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While taking good care of your body may help you grow taller, your height is mostly determined by your genetics. Once your growth plates are fused together, you will stop growing taller , which usually happens between the ages of 14 and 20. [1] X Trustworthy Source HealthyChildren.org Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Go to source If you are still growing, good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle may help you get taller. Additionally, you might be able to increase your height by about 0.5 to 2 inches (1.3 to 5.1 cm) by stretching out your spine daily. [2] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Tips for Getting Taller
Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of rest can help your body reach its peak potential. Genes are a major factor in how tall you’re able to grow, but you may be able to grow by stretching your spine and practicing good posture daily.
Steps
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Eat a healthy, nutritious diet to help your body grow. Good nutrition is essential for reaching your height potential, which is the highest your body can grow. Build your meals around fresh vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. Fill half your plate with veggies, 1/4 of your plate with lean protein, and 1/4 of your plate with complex carbs. Snack on fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy. [3] X Research source
- Lean proteins include chicken, turkey, fish, beans, nuts, tofu, and low-fat dairy.
- Complex carbs include whole grains and starchy veggies, like potatoes.
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Incorporate more protein into your diet. Protein helps your body build healthy body mass, like muscles. This can help you be your tallest. Eat protein at every meal and include it in your snacks. [4] X Research source
- For instance, you might eat yogurt at breakfast, tuna fish for lunch, chicken at dinner, and string cheese as a snack .
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Eat an egg every day if you're not allergic to them. Young children who eat a whole egg daily may grow taller than kids who don't. Eggs contain protein and vitamins that support healthy growth, and they're also a cheap and easy food to add to your diet. Eat an egg to 1 meal every day to potentially help you get taller.
- Ask your doctor if it's safe for you to eat an egg every day.
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Consume a serving of dairy each day to support your growth. Dairy contains protein, calcium, and vitamins to nourish your body. While milk is a great choice, yogurt and cheese are also great sources of dairy. Incorporate 1 serving of your favorite dairy product into your daily diet. [5] X Trustworthy Source EatRight.org Organization associated with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics providing advice about food, health, and fitness Go to source
- For example, drink 8 fluid ounces (240 mL) of milk , eat 6 fluid ounces (180 mL) of yogurt, or eat a slice or 1 oz (28 g) of cheese.
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Take calcium and vitamin supplements if your doctor says it's okay. Supplements may help you grow taller by meeting your nutritional needs. Calcium and vitamins A and D are especially important because they support strong bones. Talk to your doctor to find out if supplements are right for you. [6] X Research source
- For instance, you might take a daily multivitamin and calcium supplement.
- Keep in mind that vitamins won't make you grow taller than your genetics allow.
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Maintain good posture to show your full height. Good posture doesn't actually make you grow, but you might look taller. When you're walking, stand tall and keep your back straight. Additionally, roll your shoulders back and tilt your chin up. While you're sitting, straighten your back, roll your shoulders back, and face straight ahead. [7] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
- Check your posture in a mirror or by filming yourself. Practice standing, walking, and sitting to master good posture.
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Exercise 30 minutes daily for healthy bones and muscles. You probably know that exercising every day helps you stay healthy, but it may also help you grow taller. Exercise builds healthy bones and muscles, so it might help you reach the tallest height possible for you. Pick an exercise you enjoy so it's easy for you to include it in your daily life. [8] X Research source
- For instance, play a sport, take a dance class, go for long walks, run around your neighborhood, or go skating.
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Get a good night's sleep every night so your body can repair itself. During your daily activities, you break down your muscles, and your body needs to repair them so you get stronger. Make sure you get proper amounts of sleep so your body is able to repair itself and recover your energy levels. Here's the amount of sleep you need each night: [9] X Research source
- Toddlers ages 2 and younger need 13-22 hours (18 recommended for newborns).
- Children ages 3-5 need 11-13 hours.
- Children ages 6-7 need 9-10 hours.
- Adolescents ages 8-14 need 8-9
- Teens ages 15-17 need 7.5-8 hours.
- Adults ages 18 and up need 7-9 hours. [10] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
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Treat illnesses as soon as you feel sick because they slow your growth. When you're very sick, your body focuses its energy on making you better. This means your growth can be stunted. Don't worry because treating your illness will help you start growing again. Visit your doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. [11] X Research source
- If your growth is slowed because you were sick for awhile, you can still catch up and reach your full height if you boost your nutrition and take care of yourself .
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Visit your doctor if you're concerned that you're shorter than average. Being short might be part of who you are, and that's a good thing! At the same time, you might be worried if everyone in your family is taller than you are. Talk to your doctor to find out if you might have a medical condition that's causing your shorter height, which could require treatment. [12] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- For instance, conditions like hypothyroidism, lower levels of growth hormones, Turner syndrome, and serious medical conditions may stunt your growth.
- It may help to talk to a counselor or a therapist if you still have concerns but there are no underlying medical issues. There are a number of useful ways to embrace the height you actually are, including finding role models who are the same height as you, finding the advantages of being the height you are and reaching acceptance as to what you cannot change and instead focusing on the things you can.
Tip: If you have a medical condition that's stunting your growth, your doctor can supplement you with a human growth hormone. This will help you overcome stunting but won't make you grow taller than your genetics allow.
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Lie down and stretch out with both arms over your head. Lie down on your back on an exercise mat or the floor. Reach your arms over your head and extend them as far as you can. At the same time, stretch your legs out as far as they'll go. Hold your stretch for 10 seconds, then relax. [13] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- This will help elongate your spine so it's not compressed. While it won't make your skeleton grow, it can increase your height by about 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) by decompressing your spine. Repeat the exercise daily to maintain your results.
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Do upper body twists while lying down on your back. Lie down on the floor or an exercise mat. Stretch out your body, then lift your arms perpendicular to your chest. Press your palms together, then slowly lower your arms about 45 degrees to the left to twist your upper body. Hold for 2-3 seconds, then rotate to the other side. Continue to rotate back and forth for 5 times on each side. [14] X Research source
- Do this stretch daily to keep your spine elongated.
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Lie down, reach above your head, and lift your hips off the floor. Lie down on your exercise mat or the floor, then extend your arms up over your head with your palms pressed together. Next, bend your knees and push the soles of your feet together. Then, press your feet and upper back into the floor to lift your hips off the floor and extend your spine. Hold for 10 seconds, then release down to the floor. [15] X Trustworthy Source American Heart Association Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education Go to source
- Repeat this exercise daily to maintain your full height.
- This stretch will help elongate your spine by decompressing it.
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Lie on your stomach and extend your arms and legs. Turn over onto your stomach, then extend your arms and legs as far as you can. Slowly lift your arms and legs to arch your back. Hold for 10 seconds, then exhale to bring your arms and legs back to the floor. [16] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
- Repeat this stretch daily to see consistent results.
- Like the other stretches, this elongates your spine so you can reach your full height.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionDoes drinking milk make you grow taller?Dr. Scotten is a board certified Pediatrician in Arizona. She received her MD from the University of Kansas in 1993 and completed her Pediatric residency at Kosair Children’s Hospital. Dr. Scotten was the director of the Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis clinic at the University of Kansas, was voted as a Kansas City Star “Top Doc” for 5 years, and has been selected to the National Board of Medical Examiners.No, drinking milk will not make you taller. However, milk has calcium and vitamin D which are both good for healthy bones. Making smart choices on what to drink can lead to better health and so choosing milk over carbonated drinks is always a good idea.
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QuestionWhat sports can improve height?Dr. Scotten is a board certified Pediatrician in Arizona. She received her MD from the University of Kansas in 1993 and completed her Pediatric residency at Kosair Children’s Hospital. Dr. Scotten was the director of the Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis clinic at the University of Kansas, was voted as a Kansas City Star “Top Doc” for 5 years, and has been selected to the National Board of Medical Examiners.There is no one sport that will make you taller. However, being involved in sports is good for your general health because you will get lots of regular exercise.
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QuestionWill stretching make you grow taller?Dr. Scotten is a board certified Pediatrician in Arizona. She received her MD from the University of Kansas in 1993 and completed her Pediatric residency at Kosair Children’s Hospital. Dr. Scotten was the director of the Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis clinic at the University of Kansas, was voted as a Kansas City Star “Top Doc” for 5 years, and has been selected to the National Board of Medical Examiners.No, stretching will not make you grow taller. The main thing that makes you "tall" is the height of your parents. However, stretching before exercise is a good way to prevent sports injuries.
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Tips
- Look at how tall your parents are to see how tall you'll probably grow. Your height is determined by your genetics, so you'll likely be close in height to your parents. [17] X Research sourceThanks
- Most people stop growing after puberty, which is typically between the ages of 14-18. [18] X Research sourceThanks
- Once your body stops growing, it's impossible to make it start growing again. [19] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to sourceThanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- To have good posture, make sure to keep your shoulders down and move them backwards a bit. This will also be very helpful when you're older to have good posture.
- If you're experiencing back, hip, or neck pain, see a chiropractor or another medical professional. A bone alignment may help you grow a little taller.
- Some say drinking coffee at a young age may stunt your growth. Instead, opt for water.
- Wear high heels or platform sneakers to give the illusion that you're taller.
- While being taller may be nice, be confident no matter what height you are.
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All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
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Warnings
- Don't try to have people pull on you to make you taller. This will not affect your growth and will usually give you pain in your neck, arms, and shoulders.Thanks
- Talk to your doctor if you're worried that there's an issue with your height. [20] X Trustworthy Source HealthyChildren.org Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Go to sourceThanks
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Foods that Promote Growth
References
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/Glands-Growth-Disorders/Pages/Predicting-a-Childs-Adult-Height.aspx
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1888420/
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/KidsHealthDemo/en/parents/grow-taller.html
- ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-much-of-human-height/
- ↑ https://www.eatright.org/food/planning/meals-and-snacks/nutrition-for-growing-bodies
- ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-much-of-human-height/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/guidetogoodposture.html
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/KidsHealthDemo/en/parents/grow-taller.html
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/why-do-we-need-sleep
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/getting-better-sleep.htm
- ↑ https://acphd.org/communicable-disease/protect-yourself/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9464-body-mass-index-bmi
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22220-leg-muscles
- ↑ https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/globalassets/pdfs/2017-rehab_spine.pdf
- ↑ https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/flexibility-exercise-stretching
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-benefits-of-yoga
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/my-height.html
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/precocious.html
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22192-puberty
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/Glands-Growth-Disorders/Pages/Predicting-a-Childs-Adult-Height.aspx
About This Article
Registered Dietitian & Licensed Clinical Psychologist
This article was co-authored by Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RD
and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA
. Dr. Supatra Tovar is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY #31949), Registered Dietitian, Fitness Expert, and the Owner of Dr. Supatra Tovar and Associates. Dr. Tovar has worked in the fields of health education, clinical dietetics, and psychology. With over 25 years of holistic wellness experience, she practices Holistic Health Psychotherapy. She combines her psychology, diet, and fitness knowledge to help those struggling with depression, weight gain, eating disorders, life transitions, and relationships. Dr. Tovar holds a BA in Environmental Biology from The University of Colorado Boulder, an MS in Nutrition Science from California State University, Los Angeles, and a PsyD in Clinical Health Psychology from Alliant International University, Los Angeles. This article has been viewed 15,860,491 times.
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Co-authors: 595
Updated: March 15, 2024
Views: 15,860,491
Categories: Health
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
Article Summary
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Though your height is determined by your genes, you can grow as tall as possible by practicing a healthy, active lifestyle. First, make sure to sleep for 8 to 11 hours every night, since you grow the most when you’re asleep. Additionally, eat a healthy balanced diet that includes proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. You can also incorporate foods rich in Vitamin D and Calcium, like fish, mushrooms, and cheese, to help strengthen your bones. Try participating in sports, like swimming, running or yoga, which not only keep your body healthy, but also may help you grow to your full potential. Finally, no matter how tall you are, make sure you always stand up straight to make the most of every inch you have. To learn more about how to maintain good posture and help prevent growth-stunting illnesses, keep reading!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 15,860,491 times.
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- "I realized that going on a restrictive diet as a teenager affected my growth. They cared more about kids not getting fat then getting tall. I'm shorter than both of my parents." ..." more
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Registered Dietitian & Licensed Clinical Psychologist
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