How to Increase Your Height and Grow Taller

Dr. Eric Berg DC

22 Apr 202209:57

Summary

TLDRThe video discusses the potential for increasing height, particularly in children and teenagers. It emphasizes the importance of growth hormones—human growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor, and thyroid hormones—in height development. Key factors influencing these hormones include zinc deficiency, adequate protein intake, quality sleep, and the impact of obesity and lifestyle choices. The speaker recommends dietary adjustments, including a nutrient-dense ketogenic diet, and emphasizes the need for essential vitamins and minerals, especially zinc and vitamin D. Fasting is also suggested as a way to stimulate growth hormone production, encouraging viewers to explore these strategies to maximize their height potential.

Takeaways

😀 Growth occurs roughly at 2 inches per year until puberty, then accelerates to about 4 inches per year.
🤔 Genetics play a significant role in height, but nutritional deficiencies can also impact growth potential.
💊 Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is essential for growth, produced by the pituitary gland and regulated by insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1).
🥗 Zinc deficiency can severely hinder HGH production; it's vital for growth and can be depleted by diets high in phytates from grains.
☀️ Vitamin D is crucial for growth; children need sufficient sun exposure to avoid deficiencies.
🧂 Iodine is important for thyroid function; a lack of it can stunt growth significantly.
💤 Sleep is crucial for hormone regulation; inadequate sleep can negatively affect growth.
⚖️ Obesity decreases the activation of growth hormones, making healthy weight management important for growth.
🚫 Processed foods, excessive caffeine, and sugar consumption can lead to nutritional deficiencies in children and adolescents.
📝 A healthy ketogenic diet rich in saturated fats and red meat can help provide essential nutrients like zinc, supporting growth.

Q & A

What is the typical growth rate for children before puberty?
-Children generally grow about 2 inches per year between ages 1 and puberty.
How much do children usually grow during puberty?
-During puberty, children typically experience a growth rate of about 4 inches per year.
At what age do most individuals stop growing?
-Most individuals stop growing between the ages of 18 and 20, although some may continue to grow slightly longer.
What role does zinc play in growth hormone production?
-Zinc is crucial for the production of growth hormone (GH), and deficiencies in zinc can lead to stunted growth.
What dietary factors can lead to a zinc deficiency?
-Consuming too many phytates found in grains, as well as high intake of sugar, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, and caffeine can lead to zinc deficiency.
How does sleep impact growth hormone levels?
-Growth hormone is primarily activated during sleep, making sufficient sleep essential for optimal growth.
What dietary changes can help maximize height potential?
-A diet rich in trace minerals (especially zinc), protein, and vitamin D while minimizing processed foods, sugars, and refined carbohydrates can help maximize height potential.
Why is iodine important for growth?
-Iodine is crucial for thyroid function, and a deficiency can significantly stunt growth, especially in infants and children.
What supplement is recommended to support the pituitary gland?
-The supplement called Pituotrophin PMG is recommended to support the pituitary gland, which produces growth hormone.
What lifestyle changes can inhibit growth hormone activation?
-Excess body fat, smoking, high caffeine consumption, and poor sleep can all inhibit the activation of growth hormone.