Are you concerned about osteoporosis, shrinking or losing your stature? Did you know that the average individual losses one centimeter of height every decade, starting at the age of 40? Obviously, by the time a person reached the age of 70, the rate of height loss accelerates.

Shrinking or osteoporosis is a natural phenomenon. The vertebra, a disk-like bone is comprised of the spine, loses mineral content with age. Moreover, a fluid substance supports each vertebra and as the body matures, the availability of the fluid diminishes. Each of these small changes adds up to a noticeable loss in height.

All of the incremental changes accrue to a significant loss in height. The by-product of the height loss worsens with the loss of muscle mass in the back. The gradual deterioration of both the spine and muscles enables the aging adult to hunch-over in the standing position. It triggers other health issues such as pain and complications in breathing.

Fortunately, everyone can prevent height loss. According the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are two basic ways to circumvent height loss: regular exercise and daily consumption of calcium (1,200 to 1,500 milligrams).

Regular physical activity. An exercise? routine is a vital component to keeping bones strong and maximizing flexibility. Certain experts consider yoga, Pilates and tai chi, as excellent exercises for emphasizing erect, good posture. Jogging is deemed a weight-bearing exercise that imposes stress on the bones.

Exercise tip: Lay on your belly with your arms parallel to the rest of your body. Gingerly, lift up your head, and shoulders off the ground. Hold the position for five-10 seconds. This exercise maneuver strengthens the upper back muscles preventing the tendency of stooping.