Is it possible to gain height after 20?

Gaining significant height after the age of 20 is highly unlikely for most people due to the biological processes involved in bone growth. Here are the key points to consider:

Closure of Growth Plates

After puberty, the growth plates in the bones, which are responsible for bone lengthening, fuse and close. This typically occurs by the age of 18-21, marking the end of natural growth134.

Exceptions

There are rare exceptions where growth might continue past this age, such as in cases where the growth plates remain open longer than usual or in certain medical conditions like gigantism or specific forms of hemochromatosis. However, these are uncommon and typically do not result in significant height increases beyond the early twenties3.

Lifestyle Changes

While lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, regular exercise, and good posture can contribute to overall health and bone density, they do not lead to significant height increases after the growth plates have closed. These changes can, however, improve posture and make a person appear taller245.

Limb Lengthening Surgery

One of the few methods to permanently increase height after puberty is limb lengthening surgery. This involves cutting the bone and using a device to gradually separate the cut ends, allowing new bone growth to fill the gap. This procedure can add several inches to a person's height but is a serious surgical option with associated risks and recovery time1.

Posture Improvement

Improving posture through exercises like yoga or other posture-correcting activities can make a person appear taller, but this does not constitute an actual increase in bone length. It can, however, prevent age-related height loss due to spinal compression and other factors5.

In summary, for the vast majority of people, significant height increases are not possible after the age of 20 due to the closure of the growth plates. However, there are surgical options and lifestyle changes that can improve appearance or prevent height loss.