There is a surprising connection between height, health, and longevity
No matter your height, staying active, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress are the best ways to keep chronic diseases at bay and age gracefully.” — Dr. Aarti Ullal, Diabetologist, Gleneagles Hospital
We’ve all heard the saying: “Tall people have it all,” but is there any truth to it? The idea that height is linked to health and longevity is something we’ve all heard at some point, but it might be more myth than fact. Height is a curious thing. It’s shaped by genetics, nutrition during childhood, and your environment. While your genes might set the stage for how tall you grow, your diet (especially as a child) can play a major role in reaching your full potential. But here’s the catch: while height does matter in some ways, it’s not the end-all and be-all when it comes to health.
Hormones like growth hormones and insulin-like growth factors (IGF1) are key players in this drama. They not only affect how tall you grow but also influence your metabolism and overall health. And it turns out, shorter people might have some unexpected advantages when it comes to staying healthy as they age.
Height Myths Unveiled
Height doesn’t automatically equal good health. In fact, shorter people may have some unique benefits when it comes to living longer. Yes, you read that right — shorter might actually be better for longevity. The key? A gene called FOXO3, often found in shorter individuals is linked to longer life.
Dr. Rajiv Kovil, Head of Diabetology at Zandra Health-care explains that short stature is often associated with longevity genes. He says, “Reduced IGF1 signalling can lead to short stature and may offer protection against certain cancers and metabolic disorders.” This means that shorter people may experience less oxidative stress, reducing the risk of chronic diseases as they age. The FOXO3 gene, for instance, is responsible for better cell repair, reduced inflammation, and more stress resistance — all of which contribute to a longer, healthier life.
The Hidden Hero
We all know insulin as the hormone that regulates our blood sugar, but did you know it’s also a major player when it comes to metabolism and aging? The less insulin your body needs to produce, the better it is at regulating glucose and preventing diseases like diabetes. Dr. Kovil points out that shorter people may have an advantage here: “Lower insulin levels in the body mean you’re less likely to develop insulin resistance, a major cause of diabetes and metabolic disorders. Shorter individuals have a lower risk of high blood sugar levels and better glucose regulation.”
This lower insulin requirement means shorter people might be less prone to things like obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Dr. Aarti Ullal, a diabetologist at Gleneagles Hospital, adds, “Shorter individuals often have better glucose regulation due to their lower caloric needs. This helps maintain stable energy levels and contributes to a reduced risk of metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.”
The Aging Process
As we get older, our bodies change, and some of those changes are influenced by insulin. When insulin levels are stable, we experience less oxidative stress, which can slow down the aging process. So, if you’re shorter and have better insulin sensitivity, you might age a little more slowly — sounds like a win to me! Dr. Kovil explains, “When insulin levels are stable, your body experiences less oxidative stress, which can slow down aging and prevent age-related damage.” So, it’s not just about your height — it’s about how well your body manages insulin. And for shorter people, that could mean fewer wrinkles, less inflammation, and a slower aging process.
Gene for Longevity
While height may offer some genetic benefits, your lifestyle plays a far bigger role in determining your overall health. You can’t rely on height alone to keep diseases at bay. Dr. Ullal adds, “While shorter stature may offer certain metabolic advantages, lifestyle choices like diet and physical activity are the biggest determinants of metabolic health.”
Additionally, if you’re short but carry excess belly fat, all those potential benefits could be cancelled out. Central obesity is a risk factor for metabolic diseases like diabetes, regardless of how tall you are. The moral of the story? No matter your height, good lifestyle choices are crucial to maintaining good health. Dr. Kovil explains, “Shorter individuals often have lower body mass, which can help reduce strain on the pancreas and improve glucose control. However, if the shorter person has central obesity, then those benefits don’t hold true.”
Lifestyle Trumps Height
Height does play a role in certain aspects of health — like glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity — but what you eat, how much you move, and how you manage stress — will ultimately have a bigger impact on your long-term health. Dr. Ullal says, “No matter your height, staying active, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress are the best ways to keep chronic diseases at bay and age gracefully.” At the end of the day, your height doesn’t define your health — your habits do. So, stand tall (or short) with confidence, and take charge of your health in the ways that matter most!
Hormones like growth hormones and insulin-like growth factors (IGF1) are key players in this drama. They not only affect how tall you grow but also influence your metabolism and overall health. And it turns out, shorter people might have some unexpected advantages when it comes to staying healthy as they age.
Height Myths Unveiled
Height doesn’t automatically equal good health. In fact, shorter people may have some unique benefits when it comes to living longer. Yes, you read that right — shorter might actually be better for longevity. The key? A gene called FOXO3, often found in shorter individuals is linked to longer life.
Dr. Rajiv Kovil, Head of Diabetology at Zandra Health-care explains that short stature is often associated with longevity genes. He says, “Reduced IGF1 signalling can lead to short stature and may offer protection against certain cancers and metabolic disorders.” This means that shorter people may experience less oxidative stress, reducing the risk of chronic diseases as they age. The FOXO3 gene, for instance, is responsible for better cell repair, reduced inflammation, and more stress resistance — all of which contribute to a longer, healthier life.
The Hidden Hero
We all know insulin as the hormone that regulates our blood sugar, but did you know it’s also a major player when it comes to metabolism and aging? The less insulin your body needs to produce, the better it is at regulating glucose and preventing diseases like diabetes. Dr. Kovil points out that shorter people may have an advantage here: “Lower insulin levels in the body mean you’re less likely to develop insulin resistance, a major cause of diabetes and metabolic disorders. Shorter individuals have a lower risk of high blood sugar levels and better glucose regulation.”
This lower insulin requirement means shorter people might be less prone to things like obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Dr. Aarti Ullal, a diabetologist at Gleneagles Hospital, adds, “Shorter individuals often have better glucose regulation due to their lower caloric needs. This helps maintain stable energy levels and contributes to a reduced risk of metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.”
The Aging Process
As we get older, our bodies change, and some of those changes are influenced by insulin. When insulin levels are stable, we experience less oxidative stress, which can slow down the aging process. So, if you’re shorter and have better insulin sensitivity, you might age a little more slowly — sounds like a win to me! Dr. Kovil explains, “When insulin levels are stable, your body experiences less oxidative stress, which can slow down aging and prevent age-related damage.” So, it’s not just about your height — it’s about how well your body manages insulin. And for shorter people, that could mean fewer wrinkles, less inflammation, and a slower aging process.
Gene for Longevity
While height may offer some genetic benefits, your lifestyle plays a far bigger role in determining your overall health. You can’t rely on height alone to keep diseases at bay. Dr. Ullal adds, “While shorter stature may offer certain metabolic advantages, lifestyle choices like diet and physical activity are the biggest determinants of metabolic health.”
Additionally, if you’re short but carry excess belly fat, all those potential benefits could be cancelled out. Central obesity is a risk factor for metabolic diseases like diabetes, regardless of how tall you are. The moral of the story? No matter your height, good lifestyle choices are crucial to maintaining good health. Dr. Kovil explains, “Shorter individuals often have lower body mass, which can help reduce strain on the pancreas and improve glucose control. However, if the shorter person has central obesity, then those benefits don’t hold true.”
Lifestyle Trumps Height
Height does play a role in certain aspects of health — like glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity — but what you eat, how much you move, and how you manage stress — will ultimately have a bigger impact on your long-term health. Dr. Ullal says, “No matter your height, staying active, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress are the best ways to keep chronic diseases at bay and age gracefully.” At the end of the day, your height doesn’t define your health — your habits do. So, stand tall (or short) with confidence, and take charge of your health in the ways that matter most!
It’s not just about your height—it’s about how well your body manages insulin."
— Dr. Rajiv Kovil, Head of Diabetology, Zandra Healthcare
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
Next Story