The Incredible Shrinking Man isn’t just the title of an old science fiction movie. It’s also a reality. We shrink as we age.
Starting at about age 40, most people tend to lose about a quarter to a half inch of height each decade.
Part of the reason is because of the gel-like cushions between your vertebrae. They support your posture and act as shock absorbers. But over time, they gradually compress and flatten. So the spaces between your vertebrae get smaller, which basically makes your spinal column shorter. But shrinking too quickly or too much is not normal. It’s not a symptom of old age.