The short answer is that significant natural height increase is unlikely after the growth plates close. However, there are some approaches, such as specific exercises, diet changes, and the use of growth hormone treatments, which may help optimize your posture and maximize your height potential.
While leading a healthy lifestyle can support growth, there is not much that a fully grown adult can do to increase their height. About 80% of a person's height depends on their genetics. After a person has reached adulthood, most tricks to increase height — such as good nutrition — will not work.
Yes, it is not uncommon for some individuals to continue growing taller into their early twenties. While most people experience their growth spurts during adolescence, growth plates in bones (epiphyseal plates) can remain open until around the ages of 18 to 25, especially in males.
Long-term use of HGH injections can cause a condition called acromegaly. Adults cannot grow taller by using the synthetic growth hormone. High doses will thicken the person's bones instead of lengthening them. People with acromegaly will experience an overgrowth of bones, particularly in the hands, feet, and face.
When looking at factors that might influence growth, tempo of testosterone dose increase was not found to affect growth or adult height.
Key takeaways: The term “late bloomer” refers to a child who goes through puberty later than their peers. Constitutional growth delay, the medical term for this condition, runs in families. Late bloomers will catch up on their growth and have standard adult height, although it may take a little extra time and patience.
The resulting alcohol-induced suppression in circulating IGF-1 (Srivastava et al. 1995) causes suppressed body growth and interferes with the maturation and function of several organ systems.
Can You Reopen Growth Plates? Once growth plates close, reopening them naturally is highly unlikely. However, some individuals consider advanced treatments, such as height-increasing surgeries or hormonal therapies. It's essential to consult a specialist for accurate advice tailored to your body type and health.
At 22, nearing 23, it's unlikely that you will grow taller, as most people's growth plates close in their late teens or early 20s.
A good rule of thumb is that once a child has reached the end stages of puberty, the growth plates are essentially closed.
“Males can keep growing as long as their growth plates haven't closed, which usually happens by age 18,” explains pediatrician Joshua Coleman, MD. “But in rare cases, guys can grow a little more into their early 20s.”
Limb lengthening surgery is recommended for adults aged 18-50. If you're under 18 and your growth plates are still open, focus on natural growth methods like diet, exercise, and sleep. For adults, limb lengthening is the only proven way to permanently increase height after puberty.
Although a few people may continue growing even in their early 20s, most adults cannot increase their height after age 21 if their growth plates close. However, there are ways to maximize your height in your growing years through nutrition and exercise.
Growth plates usually close near the end of puberty. For girls, this usually is when they're 13–15; for boys, it's when they're 15–17.
In boys with CDPG and delayed puberty, their growth spurt occurs at a later age, generally between 15 to 17 years of age. [4] When the patient finally experiences puberty, his catch-up growth will continue until he reaches his predicted target height, which may not occur until he is older than 17 or 18 years.
Growth hormone plays a significant role in increasing height during childhood and adolescence. However, the production of growth hormone begins to decline as we age. Some individuals explore the use of is it possible to increase height after 21, but this approach comes with risks and limitations.