6 Essential Vitamins Which Will Help You Grow Taller

A detailed guide on all essential vitamins that may help increase height.

Medically reviewed by Jenna Volpe, RDN, LD Jenna Volpe Jenna VolpeRDN, LD facebook_icontwitter_iconlinkedin_iconinsta_icon
Written by , B.Desgn, ISSA Certified Specialist In Fitness & Nutrition Tanya Choudhary B.Desgn, ISSA Certified Specialist In Fitness & Nutrition linkedin_icon Experience: 2 years
Edited by , BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Fact-checked by , BPharm, Certified Health & Wellness Coach Moksha Gandhi BPharm, Certified Health & Wellness Coach linkedin_icon Experience: 2 years
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8797105/

Your genes majorly determine your height. But have you ever wondered why someone might not even reach the height determined by their genes?

In many cases, the reason could be a vitamin deficiency. While you cannot directly use vitamins to grow taller, they may play a major role in growth and development. They help make your bones stronger and healthy. However, this is only possible when you supply all the required nutrients to your body along with all the required vitamins. The body needs many vitamins like B1, B2, D, E, and C.

Many studies have stated that eating only particular foods containing few vitamins may not contribute to a growth in height. Hence, a diet coupled with all the required beneficial nutrients will help you in multiple ways and may help support linear growth and maximize height. In this article, we have listed the vital vitamins and minerals your body needs and have discussed how they will affect your height. Including foods rich in these nutrients may promote your growth and development. More importantly, they can also contribute to your overall health and wellness. Continue reading to know more.

Note: Please be informed that your body stops growing after a certain age, and adequate nutrition may only promote health from then on (and not contribute to your physical height in any way).

Vitamins To Grow Taller

1. Vitamin D

Vitamin D to grow taller
Image: Shutterstock

This is the most important vitamin that contributes in making the bones strong and long. When a person does not get vitamin D in the required dosage, his bones and teeth become weak. Apart from sunlight, which is the major source of vitamin D, you can also increase your intake by including vitamin D-rich foods in your diet such as vitamin D-fortified milk and mushrooms – This will certainly enable you to achieve the height you are destined to reach genetically. Vitamin D may also contribute to achieving optimal height by helping the body effectively absorb phosphorus and calcium which are important for the growth of the bones (1).

Austin Wayne, a YouTube vlogger, discusses 5 supplements that are proven to increase height and are backed by scientific research. He says “I took one of the supplements during my growth spurts going from 5.9-6.5 in pretty much a year”. He adds that consuming vitamin D helped in his height increase (i).

protip_icon Quick Tip
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for ages between 0 to 12 months is 10 mcg (400 IU), while it is 15 mcg (600 IU) for ages between 1 year and 70 years (16).

2. Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 to grow taller
Image: Shutterstock

This vitamin can help support achieving optimal height indirectly as it plays a vital role in supporting growth and development. It also helps in regularizing the digestion process. Vitamin B1 contributes to maintaining a healthy heart and nervous system (2), (3). While these may not directly contribute to height, they may support one’s physical well-being, which may help in this regard. Some common sources of vitamin B1 are rice, peanuts, pork, and soybeans (4).

3. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Vitamin B2 to grow taller
Image: Shutterstock

Riboflavin is also known as vitamin B2. It is the best vitamins for height boost. It is a crucial vitamin that helps in increasing height. It supports the growth of bones, skin, hair, and nails (5). Foods rich in riboflavin include eggs, fish, milk, and green leafy vegetables (6).

4. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Vitamin C to grow taller
Image: Shutterstock

This vitamin is also known as ascorbic acid which contributes to strengthening the bones and teeth and promoting their growth (7). It is a rich antioxidant that helps boost immunity and prevents illness (8). Rich sources of this vitamin are tomatoes, potatoes, citrus fruits, and berries (9). These are the fruits and vegetables help you grow taller.

While the above-mentioned vitamins support optimal growth, supplements alone may not ensure optimal growth. It is also important to include essential minerals (calcium, phosphorus) and a healthy balance of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) in your diet to ensure optimum growth, which is key to attaining your genetic height potential.

5. Vitamin A (Retinol)

Vitamin A for growing taller
Image: Shutterstock

Vitamin A is crucial for maintaining strong and healthy bones, as it contributes to bone growth and development (10). It also boosts growth hormone stimulation, which is required for growth and development (11). It is important to note that when the growth plates fuse together in late adolescence, further height increase becomes unlikely. That is why a balanced diet rich in different nutrients, including vitamin A becomes essential as it improves vision and boosts immunity (11). Include vitamin A-rich foods such as leafy greens, mangoes, tomatoes, beef liver, milk and eggs in your regular diet to help meet the daily requirement.

protip_icon Did You Know?
Acerola cherry is one of the richest sources of vitamin C. Hundred grams of acerola contain about 1500 to 4500 mg of vitamin C, which is 50 to 100 times more than that in lemons or oranges (18).

6. Calcium

Calcium to grow taller
Image: Shutterstock

Calcium is one of the most important minerals required by the body to enhance and optimize bone growth (12). A regular intake of calcium can support the longevity and strength of your bones. The major sources of calcium are milk and other dairy products (13). It can also be obtained from other food sources such as collards, spinach, fortified soy products and turnip greens. These are also the same foods that help kids grow taller. Along with calcium, phosphorus too helps in promoting the growth of bones (14).

Age-wise Guidelines for Calcium Intake:

  • 1 to 3 years: 500 mg calcium
  • 4 to 8 years: 800 mg calcium
  • 9 to 18 years: 1300 mg calcium
  • 19 to 50 years and above: 1000 to 1200 mg calcium

Some of the richest sources of phosphorous include fish, peanuts, and meat.

Infographic: 5 Important Nutrients To Help You Grow Taller

While genetics play a large role in our development, consuming an adequate amount of essential vitamins and minerals each day will help you grow tall. To help you out, we have rounded up a list of the five important nutrients you must include in your diet to increase your height. Check out the infographic below to know more!

5 important nutrients to help you grow taller (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Your genetics predominantly determine your height. However, some people end up experiencing stunted growth during their adolescence, after puberty hits, despite being genetically predisposed to reaching a good height. The main reason for this is nutritional deficiencies, especially in vitamins like D, B1, B2, C, and minerals like calcium. These nutrients contribute to stronger and healthier bones and support the growth of the body. So, consume foods rich in these vitamins to grow taller. For maximum results, exercise every day and engage in sports activities like aerobics, cycling, and swimming to improve your body’s metabolism and growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can zinc make you taller?

Yes. Zinc supplementation was found to increase height in school children without any adverse reactions (15).

Does milk make you taller at 18?

The height of a person depends not only on nutrition alone. Several other factors, like growth hormones and genetics, play a role. Milk only supplies the nutrients your body lacks, like calcium and vitamins A and D, which help in bone development. Vitamin K and magnesium are also essential vitamins and minerals (respectively) for building healthy bones and supporting optimal linear growth.

Are there any pills to grow taller?

No, there are no pills to help grow taller. As discussed above the height of a person depends majorly on their genes.

Does height increase after 18?

Height may or may not increase after the age of 18. Though most adolescents attain their final height by the age of 18, there are chances that some can grow taller after 18, especially if the skeletal maturation happens late (17).

Does vitamin B12 help become taller?

Vitamin B12 will not make you taller than the peak height. However, consuming vitamin B12-rich foods from childhood can help in overall growth (18).

What is peak height?

The peak height velocity is the period of time where the maximum rate of growth occurs. It is also known as a growth spurt.

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Key Takeaways

  • Vitamin deficiency may also prevent people from reaching their complete height.
  • Strong bones and growth spurt may be promoted by vitamins B1, B2, D, E, and C
  • Vitamin D and calcium are very important for stronger and longer bones that help in height increase.
  • Vitamin B1 may help support growth and development, while Vitamin B2 may help in increasing height.

Illustration: Essential Vitamins Which Will Help You Grow Taller

vitamins to grow taller

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Do you want to know how to grow taller naturally? Discover more about the essential vitamins you need to maximize your height by watching the video below.

Personal Experience: Source

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Vitamin D and growth hormone in children: a review of the current scientific knowledge
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6421660/
  2. Association between levels of thiamine intake diabetes cardiovascular diseases and depression in Korea: a national cross-sectional study
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8141681/
  3. B Vitamins in the nervous system: Current knowledge of the biochemical modes of action and synergies of thiamine pyridoxine and cobalamin
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31490017/
  4. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482360/
  5. Riboflavin
    https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Riboflavin
  6. Riboflavin1 2
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5015041/
  7. Vitamin C in Disease Prevention and Cure: An Overview
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3783921/
  8. Vitamin C in disease prevention and cure: an overview
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24426232/#:~:text=It%20is%20an%20antioxidant%20that
  9. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499877/#:~:text=Citrus%20fruits%2C%20berries%2C%20tomatoes%2C
  10. Vitamin A and its dervatives effect on bone mineral density, a systematic review
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8797105/
  11. Vitamin A in Health and Disease
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332551578_Vitamin_A_in_Health_and_Disease
  12. Calcium and bone
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22609892/
  13. Calcium Intake Major Dietary Sources and Bone Health Indicators in Iranian Primary School Children
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4505966/
  14. Importance of Dietary Phosphorus for Bone Metabolism and Healthy Aging
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7599912/
  15. Zinc supplementation enhances linear growth in school-aged children: A randomized controlled trial
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5768092/
  16. Vitamin D
    https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/
  17. The Final Phase Of Growth In Height
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6638938/
  18. Acerola, an untapped functional superfruit: a review on latest frontiers
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25802345/
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Jenna Volpe
Jenna Volpe is a holistic-minded registered dietitian, functional nutritionist, clinical herbalist, and energy healing practitioner with 11 years of experience. She helps people resolve health issues with a “food as medicine” approach, so they can finally have the energetic bandwidth to focus on bigger goals and dreams without worrying about chronic health flares.

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Tanya Choudhary
Tanya ChoudharyHealth & Wellness Writer
Tanya is an ISSA certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition. She specializes in writing articles on ingredients that benefit skin, hair, and health. She believes in the right health and lifestyle practices and strives to promote the same to everyone around her.

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Arshiya Syeda
Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief
Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Moksha Gandhi
Moksha GandhiHealth & Wellness Writer
Moksha is a health and wellness writer and a certified diet and nutrition coach. Her passion for science and writing has helped her excel in crafting evidence-based articles. Her previous experience in writing science-based research papers ensures that her articles are grounded in research and provide practical tips that are reader-focused.

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