We often see celebrities go through weight loss transformations, with side-by-side comparisons of the before and after weight loss. But people often do not feel inspired or drawn to their stories as we all know that they have access to great personal trainers, high-end food products as well as better access to healthcare. But one story that was highlighted by Men’s Health in their ‘First Steps’ series can inspire many with the story of Simon Lafontant, who lost 150 pounds and went on to become a body builder.

Simon Lafontant, a 32-year-old from Calgary, had to deal with some serious health problems for a long time. These included low testosterone and Crohn's disease, which made his life difficult. But Simon decided he wanted to make a change. He got medical help for his low testosterone and then set a big goal for himself: to compete in a bodybuilding competition. He used social media to keep himself on track, and he ended up losing over 150 pounds and even winning the competition! His story is about how he went from struggling with his health to becoming a bodybuilding champion.

How A Disease Can Become A Turning Point

Simon talks about how he used to have bad habits and wasn't living a healthy lifestyle. This led to him feeling down, gaining weight, and losing motivation. Things got really serious in 2020 when his Crohn's disease caused him to be in the hospital for seven whole months. According to Mayo Clinic Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that is inflammation in your digestive tract which can be very painful and can cause people to need long term remission and time to heal the inflammation. Simon spoke about how he realized his poor lifestyle choices and being obese had made his symptoms worse!

While you may not wish to become a bodybuilder, there are many other aspects you can take away from the Simon’s story! Another trip to the doctors revealed that he had very low testosterone levels, which explained his lack of energy. This was a major turning point for him, as he finally understood some of the reasons behind his struggles.

What Role Does Testosterone Play?

One thing that made a huge difference in Simon’s weight loss journey was getting the TRT treatment for his low testosterone which had an almost immediate effect on him. He felt good, started enjoying things again, like going outside and working out. He also remembered how much he loved powerlifting and Strongman competitions, so this helped him get on to his path to bodybuilding and weight training!

Low testosterone affects both men and women, but in different ways. In women, it can cause low sex drive, tiredness, muscle weakness, trouble getting pregnant, irregular periods, vaginal dryness, mood changes like depression or anxiety, hair thinning, dry skin, and sleep problems. In men, low testosterone can lead to reduced sex drive, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, smaller testicles, hot flashes, and infertility. Other symptoms in men include feeling down, trouble concentrating or remembering things, and increased body fat. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor.

As of 8.30 am, the pollution levels in New Delhi stood at the AQI of 293, according to aqi.in, which is equivalent to smoking 8.9 cigarettes per day, 62.3 cigarettes per week, and around 267 cigarettes per month, based on the average PM2.5 concentration over the last 24 hours.

While GRAP measures have been implemented in Delhi, there are still a section of people who continue to step out for work and other chores. From time and again experts, doctors, and researcher have pointed out the negative health impact the pollution bears on people. It is no longer limited to lungs or respiratory issues, but goes much beyond it. Ambient air pollution is responsible for fertility issues, bone health, and even cognitive risks like dementia, and more.

However, there is another health risk that people did not know can be impacted by pollution. It is your blood health or blood function.

What Is Blood Health?

Blood health refers to blood's ability to perform its vital functions, which includes transporting oxygen, nutrients, fighting infections, and regulating body temperature. Unhealthy blood could lead to disorders like anemia, blood clots, or even blood cancer.

How Does Air Pollution Impact Blood Health?

As per a 2024 study published in the journal BMC Public Health, titled Association of Ambient Air Pollution With Hemoglobin Levels and Anemia In The General Population of Korean Adults noted the detrimental effects of air pollution exposure on hemoglobin concentrations and anemia in specific populations, which included children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

The study noted that the pollutants in the air contributes to disturbances in iron homeostasis, thus the exposure to air pollution leads to cellular iron deficiency through the activation of oxidation production. It also increases secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators. This pro-inflammatory cytokines that are now increased cause a deficiency erythropoietin secretion, resulting in anemia.

In addition, exposure to air pollution increases the secretion of reactive oxygen species, resulting in oxidative stress. In 2008, an experimental study in a murine model reported that oxidative stress was closely related to iron deficiency anemia.

Another advisory from 2024, published in the National Institute of Health's (NIH) official website states that long term exposure to air pollution is linked to blood clots in veins that bring blood to the heart. The study was published by NIH, which included 6,651 US adults who were followed for an average 17 years between 2000 and 2018. Throughout the study, 284 adults developed blood clots in deep veins. Whereas 89% to a more than two-fold increases risk based on long term exposure was also noted for those who lived near polluted areas.

"Exposure to air pollution, which can set the stage for inflammation and contribute to blood clotting, has long been associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. While previous research has also suggested a link to VTE, this is the largest, most comprehensive U.S. study to report that association with three different types of air pollutants," the advisory read.

The pollutants included particulate matter, which are tiny particles equal to or less than 2.5 micrometers, which can be inhaled easily, and can penetrated through every organ, and enter your blood streams.

Furthermore, pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10, benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals like arsenic and lead could also be absorbed into the lungs and passed to blood streams. These trigger oxidative stress, DNA damage and inflammatory responses, all of which contribute to abnormal cell growth and mutations in blood cells. A comprehensive review published by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested that this exposure could also increase the risk of blood cancer by 15 to 40% in people, depending on the exposure of pollution.

If screening is made available and accessible to those between 40 to 85 years of age, it could detect 94% of lung cancers. Even if 30% of people get screened, it could prevent 26,000 deaths in the US. Despite that, the screening for the deadliest cancer in the US still misses most cases, reveals a JAMA Network study. As per the American Cancer Society, 226,650 new cases of lung and bronchus cancer in 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes 18,893 new cases in 2022. As for deaths, the American Cancer Society estimates around 124,730 lung cancer deaths in 2025.

The Washington Post reports that when a 42-year-old mother of three, Jessie Creel first developed a stubborn cough in May last year, she did what most people would do. She went to her doctor, took the prescribed antibiotics and hoped to bounce back quickly. Instead, her cough worsened. She began losing weight, struggled to sleep and even coughed up blood during a camping trip. Nothing about it felt normal anymore.

Six months later, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. Creel ran, swam, avoided alcohol and had never smoked, yet her cancer had spread to her bones, brain and lymph nodes by the time it was detected. Her story is becoming more familiar among cancer specialists, who now say lung cancer is no longer a disease that fits the old stereotype of the heavy smoker. The JAMA Network study is pushing experts to ask whether current lung cancer screening guidelines are excluding thousands of people who might benefit from early detection.

The Current Screening Rules That Limits People From Getting Themselves Screened

Right now, lung cancer screening in the United States is recommended only for people between 50 and 80 who have a heavy smoking history and who either still smoke or quit within the last 15 years. However, the researchers of the new study examined around 1000 lung cancer patients treated at Northwestern Medicine. Only one third would have qualified for screening under today’s guidelines. Women, people of color and those who had never smoked made up a large portion of the patients who fell outside the criteria.

According to the study’s authors, this means most lung cancer cases in the country are detected only after symptoms appear, which often happens when the cancer has already advanced.

Also Read: Lung Cancer No Longer A Smoker's Disease, It's A Breather's Disease: Story Of A 31-year-old Non-smoker NCR Woman Who Had Stage 2 Lung Cancer

Experts suggest a broader, age based approach similar to breast or colon cancer screening. If everyone between 40 and 85 could get screened, researchers estimate that nearly 94 percent of lung cancer cases could be identified, potentially preventing more than 26,000 deaths each year even if only a fraction of eligible people participated.

How Is Lung Cancer Detected?

For those who qualify, lung cancer screening is done using a low dose CT scan once a year. These scans use far less radiation than a regular CT and have been shown to catch cancers early.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines decide who gets insurance covered screening. The American Cancer Society has its own recommendation, which is slightly more flexible but does not guarantee full coverage.

Doctors say that when lung cancer is caught early through screening, cure rates can exceed 90 percent. But many people who do not meet today’s criteria never get that chance and are often diagnosed only once symptoms set in. By that stage, treatment is more complex and outcomes are less optimistic.

Why Are Experts Asking For A Change In System?

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer related deaths. It kills more people than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. Yet smoking rates have dropped significantly over the years, which means screening based on smoking history alone no longer reflects who is actually getting sick.

The new study suggests that continuing with the current guidelines would mean detecting only one third of new cases. Experts call the findings alarming and believe shifting to an age based model could save more lives than the number of people who die each year from brain cancer.

Broader screening may also reduce long term healthcare costs. Detecting cancer at Stage 1 rather than Stage 4 could save nearly 25 billion dollars annually in treatment expenses, far outweighing the cost of offering more people access to scans.

We often reach for pills to soothe a headache, ease congestion, or help us drift off to sleep. Yet one experienced pharmacist believes that several everyday medicines tucked inside our bathroom cabinets may be causing more problems than they solve. Deborah Grayson, who has spent 13 years in pharmacy practice, has shared a firm warning about seven widely used treatments she personally avoids. Her concerns range from overpowering drowsiness that leaves people feeling disconnected to medications that can create a dependence over time.

Medicines That May Trigger Serious Side Effects

Below are the seven products she is cautious about, along with the alternatives she suggests.

1. Codeine

Codeine, sometimes sold in low doses mixed with paracetamol, is a strong opioid pain reliever. Deborah believes the danger of becoming reliant on it overshadows the intended relief.

She explained to the Daily Mail that opioid medicines convert to morphine inside the body and act on pain pathways to reduce discomfort, often bringing a warm, pleasant sensation that some describe as a mild “buzz.”

Her preferred approach for mild to moderate pain is sticking to paracetamol or ibuprofen. If those options fall short, she advises speaking with a doctor instead of moving to opioids.

2. Statins

Statins are prescribed to millions to help manage cholesterol levels, though debate continues about how effective they truly are for certain groups. Deborah said they should be used only when necessary, as people without clear risk may gain little benefit.

She noted that women may see even fewer protective effects, which raises concerns about whether many are being offered these drugs without enough consideration. Muscle aches, tiredness and possible liver irritation are recognised risks. She recommends having a detailed discussion with a healthcare professional to review whether another option may be more suitable.

3. Anti-depressants

Prescriptions for antidepressants in the UK have risen sharply. While these medicines are essential for many, Deborah believes that their long-term side effects and withdrawal symptoms can outweigh the positives for others.

She pointed out that access to cognitive behavioural therapy remains limited in an already strained health system, even though therapy may offer more lasting support for some patients. She added that antidepressants can cause nausea, headaches and sleep problems, and with long-term use may raise the risk of weight gain, diabetes and stomach bleeding.

Some people also develop sexual side effects, while withdrawal may bring dizziness, nausea, sharp shock-like sensations in the head, intense anxiety, irritability and disturbed sleep.

4. Gabapentin and Pregabalin

These medicines are often prescribed for nerve pain or fibromyalgia, yet Deborah feels that their side effects are not always fully explained.

She said they can lead to heavy drowsiness, poor balance, difficulty with concentration and memory issues over time, along with weight gain. Many people find the initial effects so overwhelming that they stop before any improvement is noticed, which may take several weeks.

Both medicines are controlled because of the possibility of addiction, and some users may develop both physical and psychological dependence.

5. Steroid Creams

Steroid creams are frequently used to manage eczema, psoriasis and other skin flare-ups. They are helpful in short bursts, although Deborah worries that many people continue using them far longer than advised because routine follow-up is often lacking.

Extended use may thin the skin and trigger painful reactions or infections. This creates a pattern where the discomfort returns, leading patients to reach again for the same cream, keeping them stuck in a cycle.

6. PPIs

Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole or lansoprazole, are among the most common treatments for heartburn and acid reflux.

Deborah views these as a quick solution that can cause long-term harm if people rely on them for too long. She explained that stomach acid is necessary for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients, and PPIs interfere with this process. This can leave the stomach struggling to digest properly and may contribute to nutrient shortages.

She encourages people to consider dietary adjustments and stress management instead of long-term dependence on PPIs.

7. Laxatives

Many people turn to laxatives for constipation, and with so many available without a prescription, it is easy to depend on them more than intended. While they work well for short-term relief, consistent use may cause the bowel to slow down.

Deborah warned that many people eventually struggle to go to the toilet without help from these products. Short-term effects can include cramps, diarrhea, nausea, bloating, and trapped wind.

For ongoing constipation, she suggests increasing fibre intake or using options that draw more water into the bowel, such as Fybogel (ispaghula husk) or Macrogol sachets.