Subscribe to Reader's Digest at 51% OFF and you could win a $40,000 cash prize!

13 Surprising Things You Didn't Know about Your Body

From "old-person smell" to why you hate room-temperature coffee, discover 13 surprising facts about the human body.

By Teresa Dumain

1. Your Feet Can Grow as You Age

After years of wear and tear, tendons and ligaments in your feet may weaken. This can cause arches to flatten, which means feet get wider and longer. It won’t happen to everyone, though—people who are overweight, who get swollen feet or ankles, or who have certain medical conditions, like diabetes, are more prone. If it does happen, the average gain is about one shoe size by age 70 or 80.

—Cary M. Zinkin, DPM, podiatric sports physician

(Photo: Creatas/Jupiterimages/Thinkstock)

Tags: 13 things | body | health

1 of 14 Next

Published in : Health & Well-Being

Magazine

Special Features

Recent Features

5 Ways To Be Productive At Work

Multi-tasking is handy for simple or uncomplicated tasks, but time management is the key concept when it comes to increasing productivity. You'll be amazed at how much time you can save.

Published in : Health & Well-Being » Healthy Living

0 comments
12 Eating Habits To Help You Lose Weight

If you’re trying to drop a few pounds, don’t overhaul all your eating and exercise habits at once. Pick up some of these tricks to get you started, and then add as you go.

Published in : Health & Well-Being » Weight Loss

0 comments
Skin Safety: How Well Do You Know Your Skin?

What do you know about skin safety? With the summer heat just around the corner, take our quiz and find out!

Published in : Health & Well-Being » Healthy Living

0 comments
20 Ways To Get Energized This Spring

Published in : Health & Well-Being » Healthy Living

0 comments
8 Ways to Naturally Rejuvenate Your Skin This Spring

Andrew Ordon, M.D., a co-host of the syndicated talk show The Doctors, gives us eight DIY ways to brighten your skin this spring, no surgery required.

Published in : Health & Well-Being » Home Remedies

0 comments
12 Secrets to a Deeper Sleep

Go to bed prepared, and try these amazing sleep secrets to have a longer lasting, deeper rest.

Published in : Health & Well-Being » Sleep

0 comments
13 Ways To Beat The Afternoon Slump

After a delicious lunch and a morning of hard work, the afternoon work slump arrives and can stop you in your tracks. It's tough to beat, but we've got 13 tricks and tips to help you feel more energized and be more productive for the rest of the day.

Published in : Health & Well-Being

0 comments
How to Tell if Someone is Lying

Think someone is trying to pull the wool over your eyes? Look for these six telltale signs and see if you're dealing with a liar.

Published in : Health & Well-Being

1 comment
How to Prevent an Allergic Reaction

Allergy sufferer? You likely know a lot of your own triggers and solutions to the awful feeling of allergies, but here are 10 ways to help you prevent allergic reactions this spring.

Published in : Health & Well-Being

0 comments
6 Eating Habits That Improve Your Sex Life

A healthier body AND an improved sex life? It's possible, and not that complicated. Discover secrets the science of good nutrition holds for improving your sex drive.

Published in : Health & Well-Being » Healthy Living

0 comments
6 Spring Allergens You Didn't Know

Don’t let spring allergies sneak up on you. Avoid these little-known triggers and skip some of the painful congestion of allergies.

Published in : Health & Well-Being » Healthy Living

0 comments
In Treatment: How Safe is Cleansing?

Are cleanses and elimination diets safe? Discover the potential risks and rewards with our panel of Canadian health experts.

Published in : Health & Well-Being » Sickness & Prevention

0 comments
11 Ways to Allergy-Proof Your Home

Home, sweet, home may be full of sneezes and sniffles if you don’t take some precautions during spring allergy season. Here are 11 surefire solutions to keep allergies at bay.

Published in : Health & Well-Being » Healthy Living

0 comments
10 Tips for Managing Your Stress

Has work or your home life got you frazzled? Reduce your load and relax with these simple stress-reduction strategies.

Published in : Health & Well-Being » Healthy Living

0 comments
6 Ways to Relieve Morning Sickness

Use these calming, soothing, anti-nausea strategies to settle your stomach when it feels like it's riding a rollercoaster.

Published in : Health & Well-Being » Healthy Living

0 comments