Quotes from Richard H. Steckel

A rich diet does lead to earlier puberty but to my knowledge it does not student the adolescent growth spurt. Early pregnancy, before reaching adult height, does slow or stop growth.

People tend to shrink with age, especially after age 50 or so. It has to do with spaces between the joints amount of cartilage and posture. Bone length does not change.

I agree that zinc is one of the important micro-nutrients but people require a balanced blend of food for our biological engines.