In Sanskrit, Ashwagandha means ‘the smell of a horse’, suggesting that this herb has the potential to impart the strength and stamina of a stallion. With a reputation for boosting endurance, energy and indeed strength, it’s little surprise that KSM-66 Ashwagandha has also been linked to increased height. But how much truth is behind this claim? In this article, we look at whether KSM-66 Ashwagandha can really make you grow taller – and if so, how.
Ashwagandha and Height: An Overview
It may seem trivial compared to other aspects of our health, but our height can play a huge role in how we view ourselves. For some, a few inches can make the difference between sky-high confidence and flat self esteem.
But can what we eat really affect how tall we grow? When we reach adulthood, the plain answer is no. As children and teenagers, our pituitary gland secretes a hormone called the human growth hormone (HGH), which in turn triggers the release of another hormone called the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), which leads to the production of cartilage. It is this cartilage that turns into bone.
Throughout childhood, this process is ongoing. However, once you hit puberty HGH levels plummet. Once the cartilage in your long bones has been laid down, you’ve reached your maximum height. Before this point, diet undoubtedly plays an important role in encouraging growth.
But while KSM-66 Ashwagandha might not be able to increase your height, there is evidence to suggest it can help you maintain it. As we age, our bone density decreases, leading many of us to actually become shorter. But Ashwagandha might be able to help with that. Shown to support bone health in many ways, this superfood helps you stand taller for longer. Here’s how.
Boosts Bone Mineral Density
Osteoporosis often depletes bone mineral density in old age, causing bones to become weaker and even shrink. According to one study, KSM-66 Ashwagandha works to support bone density loss in rats thanks to its ‘estrogen-like withanolides with antiosteoporotic activity’.
Increases Bone Strength
As we age, our bones become less able to handle high intensity impacts, putting us at risk of injury or poor posture. KSM-66 Ashwagandha has been shown to help strengthen bones by boosting biomechanical strength, particularly within the vertebrae and femur. On top of that, it helps increase the density of shock-absorbing spongy tissues.
Promotes Bone Healing
Poor posture caused by a bone injury massively affects people’s perceptions of your height. KSM-66 Ashwagandha helps you stand up tall by promoting bone healing after an injury. Research into Withaferin A, a main component of the best Ashwagandha, suggests it can help prevent protein breakdown and speed up injury recovery times.
Once we reach adulthood, there are plenty of ways we can preserve our height and support our posture. Doing plenty of exercise, eating nutritious foods, and introducing a superfood supplement like KSM-66 Ashwagandha to our diets can all help to keep our bones healthy. And it’s not just our bones that benefits.
As a full-spectrum extract, KSM-66 Ashwagandha offers all the incredible health benefits of this herb, including better brain health, improved sleep, higher energy levels and less stress.
Find out more about the incredible adaptogenic benefits of KSM-66 Ashwagandha here.