Important facts about how our bodies change with age.
People tend to reach their peak height by age 40, and then it all goes downhill. We tend to lose about a half-inch every decade, with the rate increasing after age 70, according to Senior Journal. Shrinking is a result of bone-mass loss, spinal compression, fractures, loss of muscle strength and flattened feet.
What about our brain?
Low levels of vitamin B12 in senior citizens can cause the brain to shrink, according to a study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The findings suggest that healthy levels of vitamin B may be essential for robust brain function.
Too much shrinking
If you have osteoporosis, you need to have your height measured annually, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. If your height loss is equal to or greater than half an inch annually, that’s a cause for concern, and you should see your doctor immediately. “Typically, any height loss over 1 inch may be an indicator of bone loss,” says Jill Ryan, spokeswoman for the foundation.
Need to know
The National Osteoporosis Foundation warns that if you are shrinking more than an inch a year, you may have fractured one or more vertebrae in your body. Sometimes, there’s no pain when a vertebrae is fractured, and this goes unnoticed until you become aware of a significant loss of height.
Osteoporosis is a primary reason why seniors are shrinking. But you can prevent this by exercising, eating a well-balanced diet containing at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily, stopping smoking and speaking with your doctor about hormone therapy.
For every extra pound on the body, the brain gets a little smaller, according to a study published in Human Brain Mapping. The researchers found that elderly people who were overweight had significantly less brain tissue than those who were within a normal weight range. The brain loss is in the area that deals with decision-making and memory.
Risk in men
Men who shrink more than 1 inch as they age have an increased risk of death and heart disease, a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found. Doctors believe they may be shrinking because of underlying mechanisms leading to bone loss and osteoporosis.
On the Web
Need more information about shrinking or geriatric health? Check out www.americangeriatrics.org, a nonprofit organization devoted to improving health, independence and quality of life for senior citizens.