High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, often termed the "good" cholesterol, plays a crucial role in cardiovascular health by transporting cholesterol from the arteries to the liver for excretion or reuse. Elevated HDL levels are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While genetics influence HDL levels, lifestyle choices significantly impact them.

One notable lifestyle change that positively affects HDL cholesterol is quitting smoking. Smoking has been shown to suppress HDL levels, thereby increasing the risk of heart disease. A 2018 study highlighted that pregnant women who smoked had significantly lower HDL levels compared to non-smokers. The American Lung Association emphasizes that quitting smoking can enhance HDL levels by facilitating the removal of cholesterol from the bloodstream.

Beyond improving HDL cholesterol, smoking cessation offers a myriad of health benefits. Within 20 minutes of quitting, blood pressure and heart rate begin to decrease. In a few days, carbon monoxide levels in the blood normalize, and within 48 hours, nerve endings start to regenerate, enhancing the senses of taste and smell. Over the subsequent months and years, the risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, and various cancers diminish significantly.

To further boost HDL levels, individuals can adopt additional lifestyle modifications:

• Incorporate Healthy Fats: Consuming extra virgin olive oil, rich in polyphenols, can increase HDL cholesterol.
• Engage in Regular Exercise: Physical activities, including strength training and high-intensity interval training, have been shown to elevate HDL levels and enhance their functionality.
• Adopt a Low-Carb Diet: Low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets can raise HDL cholesterol, especially in individuals with obesity or insulin resistance.
• Consume Fatty Fish: Fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve HDL cholesterol levels.
• Avoid Trans Fats: Eliminating artificial trans fats from the diet helps prevent the lowering of HDL cholesterol and reduces inflammation.
• In conclusion, quitting smoking is a pivotal step toward enhancing HDL cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular health. Coupled with other healthy lifestyle choices, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease and improve their quality of life.

What All Do We Know About Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell of the body. While it’s essential for building cells, producing hormones, and aiding digestion, too much cholesterol in the blood can pose health risks—particularly to the heart.

There are two main types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol to the arteries. High levels of LDL can lead to plaque buildup in artery walls, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

HDL, or "good" cholesterol, works in the opposite way. It transports cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is broken down or excreted. HDL also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to protect the cardiovascular system.

Maintaining a healthy balance between LDL and HDL is crucial. While high LDL levels are harmful, high HDL levels are beneficial and can lower the risk of heart problems. Lifestyle changes such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking can help improve this balance and promote heart health.

It’s déjà vu Braves fans didn’t ask for. Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta’s powerhouse baseball outfielder and reigning National League MVP, has hit the injured list again, this time with tightness in his right Achilles tendon. Just months after returning from a torn ACL in his left knee, Acuña pulled up sore after sprinting the bases and later chasing a fly ball, exiting Tuesday’s game against the Royals mid-inning.

But what does Achilles tendon tightness actually mean, and why does it freak out athletes and sports doctors alike?

The Achilles tendon, also known as the calcaneal tendon, is the thick band of tissue that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. It is the biggest and strongest tendon in the human body. But it can bring even the fittest athletes to their knees.

It helps you run, jump, pivot and push off the ground, basically every move an outfielder like Acuña makes in a single play. When it is tight, inflamed or partially torn, that springy propulsion becomes painful and unstable. Cue the limping, grimacing and, in some cases, weeks on the injured list.

Why Achilles Pain Is a Red Flag

Achilles tightness might sound like a minor complaint, but it is often the body’s early warning system. It could stem from overuse, fatigue, poor footwear, or biomechanical imbalances.

In Acuña’s case, the discomfort reportedly began the night before while sprinting around the bases and got worse chasing fly balls. That is a classic setup: high-intensity bursts, sudden stops, and quick direction changes, all high-risk moves for the Achilles.

If ignored, tightness can escalate to tendonitis (inflammation), partial tears, or the dreaded rupture, which is basically the tendon snapping in two. That is a season-ending injury, often requiring surgery and months of rehab.

When the Body Says No

Beyond the physical pain, repeated injuries hit hard on the mental game. Acuña admitted he did not want to sit out, even though the pain intensified, because he has already missed too much time.

But ignoring Achilles issues can backfire in the worst way. What starts as tightness today could be crutches tomorrow. The tendon does not heal fast, and re-injury is a very real risk if recovery is rushed.

The Game Plan for Recovery

For now, Acuña’s been placed on the 10-day injured list, but tendon issues do not always follow a schedule. He will likely undergo scans to rule out structural damage, followed by rest, anti-inflammatories, and physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the area.

Recovery is not just about waiting for the pain to stop; it is about rebuilding strength, restoring flexibility, and ensuring both legs are balanced and strong.

Why This Matters for Everyone Who Plays

This is not just a pro-athlete problem. Achilles injuries are surprisingly common in runners, dancers, and gym-goers. If you feel stiffness in your heel or lower calf, especially first thing in the morning or during exercise, do not brush it off.

Stretch regularly, warm up before activity, avoid sudden ramp-ups in intensity, and listen to your body. And if the pain lingers or worsens, see a specialist. Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Achilles flare-up might just be tightness, but it is the kind of tightness that turns trainers serious and fans anxious. It’s also a timely reminder that this tendon is small but mighty, and when it acts up, rest is not optional. Whether you are chasing fly balls or your morning run goal, treat your heels with the caution they deserve.

A recent tragic shooting in Midtown Manhattan has pulled an obscure but alarming brain disease back into the headlines. The shooter reportedly left behind a suicide note claiming he suffered from CTE, short for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a condition linked to repeated head trauma. As shocking as the incident was, it has opened up a floodgate of questions: What exactly is CTE? Can it really make someone act out violently? And how can we even know if someone had it?

What Exactly Is CTE?

CTE is not your everyday concussion aftermath. It is a progressive, degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head injuries, the kind you get from rough contact sports, military service, or just too many unfortunate falls. Over time, these impacts seem to trigger the buildup of an abnormal protein in the brain called tau. This sticky substance does not just sit there quietly. It gradually spreads through the brain, messing with vital functions and causing serious, irreversible damage.

The Symptoms

People with CTE do not wake up one morning knowing something is wrong. The symptoms can creep in slowly, subtle at first, then increasingly hard to ignore, leading to memory lapses, confusion, impulsive behaviour, unexplained aggression, mood swings, deepening depression and, in many tragic cases, suicidal thoughts.

It is the sort of change that can feel like a personality transplant. Loved ones often report seeing someone “become a different person” over time.

Not Just a Pro Athlete Problem

For a long time, CTE seemed to be the unwanted souvenir of retired American football players. The sport's culture of full-body collisions made it the perfect storm for head trauma. But recent research is telling a more disturbing story. A 2023 study uncovered CTE in younger, amateur athletes, including teens as young as 17.

Back to the Manhattan case. While the shooter’s note mentioned CTE, we still do not know whether he actually had it, let alone whether it influenced his behaviour. This brings up messy territory: should possible brain disease be considered in criminal responsibility? Can CTE be a mitigating factor in violent crime?

It is a grey zone. And until we develop reliable tools to diagnose CTE in the living, we are mostly left guessing.

What Can We Do?

CTE is a slow, silent thief, robbing people of their memory, emotions, and identity. And while scientists are racing to understand it better, prevention remains our best bet for now. That means:

• Rethinking how we approach youth and professional sports
• Reducing repeated head trauma wherever possible
• Keeping an eye out for changes in behaviour following head injuries

CTE is not some mysterious ailment that only haunts linebackers. It is a very real, very scary consequence of repeated trauma to the brain, and as we are learning, it can touch more lives than we ever thought. It is time we start treating our heads with the same care we give the rest of our bodies, maybe even more.

Hepatitis is not nicknamed the “silent killer” for nothing. What makes it so dangerous is how symptomless it often is for years. It can quietly chip away at your liver without so much as a warning sign. By the time symptoms like fatigue, jaundice, or abdominal pain appear, significant harm may already have occurred. This eerie silence allows hepatitis to go undetected until it has done some serious damage.

Just Because You Cannot Hear It Does Not Mean It Is Not There

Dr Vikram Vora says that hepatitis is a major global health threat, killing over a million people each year. What is even more tragic? These deaths are, in his words, “largely preventable”. The villains in this tale, cirrhosis and liver cancer, often stem from untreated or undiagnosed hepatitis infections.

Prevention Helps

“The cornerstone of hepatitis control is prevention,” Dr Vora says. And the good news is that you have got some powerful tools at your disposal. “Vaccination, especially against Hepatitis B, is one of the most effective tools available,” he says, adding that infants, healthcare workers, and at-risk adults should be prioritised. Other prevention measures include safe injection practices, steering clear of needle-sharing, and ensuring blood transfusions are properly screened.

But danger often hides in plain sight. Dr Vora warns that something as seemingly harmless as getting a tattoo or piercing can carry lifelong consequences if done in an unregulated facility. His advice? “Choosing safe, licensed establishments is non-negotiable.”

Why You Should Not Wait for Symptoms

If there is one thing hepatitis is good at, it is staying undetected. That is why Dr Vora champions regular screening, especially if you have had medical procedures, blood transfusions, or close contact with someone infected. “Early diagnosis is a game-changer,” he says. Caught in time, hepatitis can be treated effectively, helping patients avoid severe liver disease or even make a full recovery.

A Diagnosis Is Not a Death Sentence

Dr Vora offers hope to those living with hepatitis. “With proper medical care and lifestyle adjustments, a healthy life is achievable,” he insists. That means ditching alcohol, sticking to a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and closely following medical advice. He also points out the mental and emotional toll a diagnosis can take. “Support from family, community, and healthcare providers can make a significant difference in outcomes.”

The Stigma That Silences

Perhaps just as damaging as the virus itself is the social stigma surrounding it. Dr Vora identifies this as a major hurdle in tackling hepatitis. “Fear of social exclusion keeps many from seeking help,” he explains. And that delay can cost lives. According to him, building a culture of empathy and understanding is critical. He encourages public health campaigns, education, and open dialogue as essential tools to dismantle this stigma.

Make Noise Against the Silence

In Dr Vora’s words, “Hepatitis may be silent, but it is not invincible.” Every little step, whether it is getting vaccinated, getting screened, or just talking about it, can chip away at the power hepatitis holds. Silence has cost too many lives already. Awareness can save them.