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.

Parents are the root of every family and the silent pillars who spend their lives nurturing, protecting, and supporting their children through every stage of life. But as they age, the roles slowly begin to reverse. Ageing often brings with it a range of physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges, including reduced mobility, memory decline, weakened immunity, chronic illnesses, dependency, and loneliness. In many ways, growing older mirrors the vulnerability of infancy, where simple daily activities such as eating, walking, speaking, or maintaining personal hygiene may require support and patience from others in the family.

At this stage of life, caregivers step into the role of protectors, offering the same compassion, reassurance, and care that parents once gave selflessly to their children. It is equally important to acknowledge the unwavering efforts of caregivers who devote themselves to ensuring their ageing parents live with comfort, dignity, and love despite the emotional, physical, and financial challenges.

In an interview with Health and Me, Dr Eliza Pereira, Founder—Florina's Angels (a senior citizen daycare and dementia care centre), Bangalore, explained the consequences of overlooking oral health in the elderly.

India’s Growing Elderly Population and the Overlooked Oral Health Crisis

India has a massive elderly population, making elder care an important healthcare priority. According to population estimates, the senior citizen population in India is witnessing significant growth. As per Census 2011, the population of senior citizens (people aged 60 years and above) in the country stood at 10.38 crore, while projections estimate this number will rise to 17.32 crore by 2026. These figures highlight the increasing need for accessible and inclusive elder healthcare services. While conversations around ageing often focus on mobility, cardiovascular health problems, or mental wellbeing, oral healthcare remains one of the most overlooked aspects of elderly care.

Age-related conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, and weakened immunity can significantly affect oral health. Many seniors struggle with tooth loss, gum disease, dry mouth caused by medications, difficulty chewing, oral infections, bad breath, and poor-fitting dentures. Reduced dexterity due to arthritis or neurological disorders can make routine brushing and flossing difficult, increasing their dependency on caregivers for basic oral hygiene maintenance. Poor oral health can also impact nutrition, speech, confidence, and overall quality of life, making timely oral care support even more critical for ageing individuals.

Supporting Caregivers Through Better Oral Care Practices

Addressing oral care accessibility for ageing parents requires a collective and compassionate approach. Caregivers can play a crucial role by encouraging timely dental check-ups, creating simple oral hygiene routines, ensuring dentures are cleaned properly, monitoring medication-related oral side effects, and helping seniors maintain hydration and a nutritious diet. Using age-friendly and specialised oral care solutions such as swallow-safe and non-foaming toothpastes, fluoride-free and remineralising formulations, therapeutic mouthwashes, and no-rinse oral care wipes for dependent or bedbound individuals can help make daily oral hygiene routines easier, safer, and more comfortable for senior citizens. Additionally, products designed with easy-open caps and clear, user-friendly packaging can further improve accessibility and encourage independent oral care among elderly individuals facing mobility, dexterity, or age-related vision challenges.

At the same time, caregivers themselves need emotional support, awareness, and access to the right healthcare guidance to manage caregiving responsibilities effectively. Families and healthcare systems must work together to create sustainable ecosystems where the entire cycle of caregiving and those being cared for feels supported beyond medical attention.

American radio personality Robin Quivers has announced being free of cancer after a 14-year journey battling the deadly disease.

Quivers, 73 — who has co-hosted The Howard Stern Show for over 40 years — first announced in 2012 that she had been diagnosed with stage 3 endometrial cancer.

She immediately underwent surgery, numerous rounds of chemotherapy, and radiation to treat the disease. After four years of remission, it returned in 2016.

Now, nearly 10 years later, Quivers is once again “cancer-free.” The radio personality shared the good news during the radio show, The Independent reported.

“Robin kicked cancer’s ass. They said it couldn’t be done,” Stern, 72, declared, calling it “a miracle.”

He recalled the moment Quivers called him with the news, saying, “I couldn’t believe it. And really, I’ve said this to Robin privately, but I would like to say it on the air. Like this is really a miracle.

“I’m gonna say this because this is really true. I’ve watched the whole thing. She took charge of her health. She started to do all the right things. She never deviated, and she really took it seriously.”

Stern and Quivers, who began their radio careers as newscasters at WIOO in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, have been together since 1981.

What Is Endometrial Cancer?

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Endometrial cancer begins in the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. Most uterine cancers are endometrial cancer. If untreated, it can spread to nearby organs such as the bladder, rectum, or more distant organs through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.

How Endometrial Cancer Occurs?

The endometrium is highly sensitive to hormonal changes, particularly the balance between estrogen and progesterone. When the body is exposed to excess estrogen without adequate progesterone, the endometrial lining grows excessively. Over time, this prolonged stimulation leads to abnormal cell changes and increases the risk of developing endometrial cancer or uterine cancer.

Poor Lifestyle A Major Risk Factor

Dr Fahad Afzal, Consultant Oncologist at Saifee Hospital, told HealthandMe that obesity, PCOS, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome can contribute to hormonal imbalance and lead to endometrial cancer.

"Obesity is one of the most significant risk factors because excess body fat increases estrogen production. Women who are obese therefore have higher levels of estrogen, which stimulates the uterine lining,” the expert said.

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According to World Health Organization data, its incidence is steadily rising, particularly in urban populations where lifestyle changes are more pronounced.”

Dr Smit Sheth, cancer physician at MOC Cancer Care & Research Centre, Mulund, said, “Hormones play a crucial role in a woman’s reproductive health, but when they fall out of balance, they can also increase the risk of certain cancers, including endometrial cancer".

Can Endometrial Cancer Be Detected In Time?

The good news is that endometrial cancer typically grows slowly and is often detected early through regular gynecological exams.

Warning signs that should never be overlooked include

• postmenopausal bleeding,
• irregular periods,
• unusual discharge.

How To Prevent?

Simple lifestyle changes, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, a balanced diet, managing chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, and timely medical check-ups can significantly reduce risk.

For years, moderate alcohol consumption, particularly a daily glass of wine, has been associated with potential health benefits, especially for heart health. However, in recent years, a growing body of research, including warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health agencies, has highlighted that alcohol poses significant health risks from the very first drink.

A recent expert review published in the Journal of Hepatology reiterated this concern, concluding that there is no universally safe level of alcohol consumption.

No Universal Safe Threshold

After examining recent evidence on alcohol use and health outcomes, researchers from the University of Wisconsin concluded that excessive alcohol consumption is unquestionably harmful and that defining a universally "safe" level of drinking remains unsupported by current scientific evidence.

According to the authors, the health risks associated with alcohol vary considerably from person to person. Factors such as age, sex, genetics, underlying medical conditions, medications, and pregnancy status can all influence how alcohol affects an individual's health.

Rethinking The "Heart Health" Narrative

Also read: 844 Million Adults Worldwide Living With Chronic Kidney Disease: Lancet Study

The researchers also questioned the long-standing belief that moderate drinking provides significant cardiovascular benefits.

They found that recent evidence does not support recommending regular alcohol consumption for health purposes. Instead, the review suggests that any potential benefits must be weighed against known risks, including cancer, liver disease, and other alcohol-related harms.

Alcohol Linked To 62 Disorders

The review adds to a growing body of evidence linking alcohol consumption to an increased risk of several cancers.

A May 2026 study linked alcohol to 62 disorders, ranging from heart and digestive diseases to mental and neurological conditions and cancers.

The study, published in the journal Addiction, showed that the fully alcohol-attributable conditions are mainly grouped under non-communicable diseases and injuries.

These include:

• Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases
• Mental and behavioral disorders
• Diseases of the nervous system
• Diseases of the circulatory system, such as alcoholic cardiomyopathy
• Digestive diseases
• Alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis

The data also included psychotic disorders, gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis, fatty liver disease, pregnancy- and perinatal-related conditions such as fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, as well as external causes and injuries, including alcohol poisoning.

"These conditions are 100 per cent alcohol attributable, meaning these diseases would not even exist in the world without alcohol use," said Jürgen Rehm, senior scientist at the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research in Toronto and part of the study team, according to CNN.

"There are another 30 diseases in which alcohol plays a role, such as breast and other cancers, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and dementia," Rehm said. "These diseases would exist even without alcohol use, but alcohol use is responsible for a certain proportion of them."

Global Burden Remains High

The global burden of alcohol-related health issues is immense. The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimated that alcohol-related conditions could cost the United States nearly $1.87 trillion between 2011 and 2050, equivalent to about 1.45 per cent of the country's GDP. The NIH also criticized the lack of clear public messaging, which has allowed myths about alcohol's safety to persist for decades.

In 2023, the World Health Organization reinforced this warning. In a statement published in The Lancet Public Health, it declared that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption that does not affect health.