Algerian Olympic boxer Imane Khelif, who won the gold medal in the women's 66kg boxing category at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has found herself in the middle of a gender-related debate. Reports accessed by French journalist Djaffar Ait Aoudia, as published in Reduxx, brought to light medical findings about Khelif's biological status, revealing that Khelif has "testicles" and an XY chromosome arrangement, thus confirming as 'biologically male'.

According to this report, Khelif has a medical condition known as 5-alpha reductase deficiency (5-ARD), a rare difference in sex development (DSD). Medical documents, allegedly from collaborations between France’s Kremlin-Bicêtre Hospital and Algeria’s Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital, were reportedly compiled in June 2023. These reports outline that Khelif has internal testes and other characteristics atypical for female development.

An MRI and chromosomal tests confirmed the absence of a uterus and the presence of internal male reproductive organs. Furthermore, her testosterone levels were consistent with typical male ranges.

What are DSD?

DSD comprise the group of congenital conditions characterized by lack of typical sex development. In most cases, DSD can be identified in prenatal development due to interactions between complex genetic factors and hormone signals. Sometimes, people use the older term and refer to DSD as "intersex," while at other times they use some precise vocabulary to describe a given condition.

But first, what is 'Sex' and 'Gender'?

The terms "sex" and "gender" tend to be used almost interchangeably; however, they refer to two different things. "Sex" generally relates to the physical qualities determined by genetics and hormone influence, whereas "gender" refers to a human being's identity and social construction. DSD conditions can usually obscure the distinctions that are typical for sex, making talk around these terms particularly tricky.

DSD: Shattering genetic factors, Sex hormones and Genitalia

Genetic Factors

The genetic factors form the core of DSD conditions. Normally, a human being has 46 chromosomes, two of which decide the sex of the individual-the X and Y chromosomes. In most females, two X chromosomes are found, but in most males, an X and a Y chromosome are found. DSD can cause variations in such chromosomal patterns and hence sometimes lead to incongruity between chromosomal sex and physical attributes.

Sex Hormones

Sex hormones, including androgens in males and estrogens in females, determine body development both in fetal life and at puberty. Such hormones are produced in gonads, which could be either testes in a male or ovaries in a female, as prescribed by the genetic pattern. Hormonal pathways may therefore get affected in DSD such that sexual characteristics might appear in an atypical fashion.

Body Parts of Reproduction

DSD may result in the combination of male and female reproductive structures or in reproductive parts not typical male or female. A few have mixed genitals, but others may have typical genitals yet possess an unusual chromosomal setup that reveals itself at puberty or even later.

DSDs are as diverse as are the individuals affected by them. For example, some can be mentioned to be the following:

- In this case, one finds an individual with an XY chromosome yet having female-like external genitals.

- In other words, one has XX chromosomes but with male-like genitals.

- One can still have both ovarian and testicular tissues, meaning in such a case, you are likely to have genitals which might be a mix of a male and female.

- Some individuals have normal sex organs but an atypical arrangement of chromosomes, meaning changes in physical development over time.

The Cleveland Clinic notes that "intersex" has been the term used for decades in describing DSDs; however, terminology may vary among individuals and cultures. Some people with DSD prefer terms like 'differences' instead of 'disorders', arguing that DSD is just a variation in biological development.

According to a report in The Independent, "If I showed you pictures of my patients without any clothes on, you would say, well, these are females that I'm looking at," said Prof Højbjerg Gravholt, professor of genetic endocrinology in Denmark and works with patients who have differences in sex development.

He mentions that physical characteristics, hormonal profiles, or chromosomes cannot determine a person's sex uniquely. DSD in the lives of many presents the message that sex is not a biological category but rather a spectrum molded by genetic and hormonal diversity.

What Causes Disorders of Sex Development?

DSDs are caused by variations in genes that control sexual development or altered response to hormones such as those found in CAH. CAH presents as a result of excess androgen production with the development of male characteristics. Another type of DSD is the AIS where the body system is unable to respond to the presence of androgens thereby modifying physical development.

Is there a Treatment for DSD?

According to Cleveland Clinic, treatment of DSD is given based on the severity of the symptoms. These can vary from:

-Hormonal therapy for puberty and other conditions that may arise in connection with DSD, including osteoporosis.

-Genital reconstruction or modification surgery. Most of the surgeries are irreversible and thus left until the patient is capable of giving consent. For the very mild cases of DSD, no treatment is necessary and the individual may lead an untreated life.

Is It Possible to Prevent DSD?

Currently, DSDs can't be prevented. What is not well understood at present is the complex gene interactions that drive the development of human sex. No method has been developed that can predict or avoid DSDs in future offspring. That unpredictability reflects the normal variation in human biology.

For many people coffee is the beginning of their day. It tastes good, it's routine, and it gives a boost of energy. Coffee has good things in it, like antioxidants, and it can help you focus and even improve your mood. But now, more people are thinking about their hormones and how their body deals with stress and sleep. So, there's a growing interest in how coffee actually impacts our bodies as a whole.

Best Time to Have Your Coffee

Studies show that having coffee between 10 AM and 11 AM works better for most people. This way, it helps with energy without messing up your sleep later. The Cleveland Clinic explains that drinking coffee around 9:30 am and 11 am helps you reap the most benefits. People who wait about 90 to 120 minutes after waking up before having their first coffee often have more steady energy and better hormone balance throughout the day.

Some people find that drinking too much coffee can lead to high stress hormone levels. When they cut back to just one cup a day, their stress hormones got better, and they slept much more soundly.

Also, having coffee on an empty stomach might make your stress system work harder. This isn't good if you're already stressed or dealing with hormone imbalances, as you might be extra sensitive. So, it's a good idea to eat something before you have your morning coffee.

How Much Coffee Helps Your Health?

You might already know that drinking a moderate amount of coffee—around three to five cups a day—has been linked to living longer. Research has also hinted that when you drink your coffee could play a big role in these benefits. A study published in the National heart, Lung and Blood Institute found that adults who enjoyed their coffee before noon saw the biggest drop in their risk of dying early from any cause, including heart problems.

To figure this out, researchers looked at nutrition information from over 40,000 adults in the U.S. who were part of a long-term health study. About half of these individuals, 52%, drank coffee. Out of those, more than a third (36%) drank their coffee only in the morning, while the rest (16%) drank it throughout the day.

After accounting for various other health factors, the study found that adults who stuck to drinking coffee between 4 a.m. and noon were 16% less likely to die from any cause over nearly 10 years, compared to those who didn't drink coffee at all. Even more impressively, they were 31% less likely to die from heart disease. These benefits didn't apply to people who drank coffee all day long.

Coffee and Women's Cycles

For women, drinking coffee during the second half of their menstrual cycle (called the luteal phase) can make PMS symptoms worse. This is because coffee increases a stress hormone when the body should be relying more on a calming hormone. Many women say they feel much better hormonally if they stick to just one coffee a day during the first half of their cycle and completely cut it out during the second half.

The main point isn't just about coffee itself. It's about how coffee mixes with your own body, your stress levels, your sleep schedule, and your hormones. Some people can handle it fine, while others might feel worse over time without realizing coffee is part of the problem. So, like with many things, you should pay attention to what works and what doesn't work for your unique body and its hormones.

Why Morning Coffee May Be Better

The researchers think there are two main reasons why morning coffee might be so beneficial:

Better Sleep

Drinking caffeinated coffee earlier in the day, instead of in the afternoon or evening, is less likely to disrupt your sleep. Good sleep is crucial for your overall health, especially for your heart.

Anti-Inflammatory Boost

Coffee has properties that fight inflammation. These effects might be strongest in the morning because that's when inflammation levels in your body can be at their highest.

Heart health is one of the most pressing matters for our health. Many people do not realize how even small habits like what time you wake up or go to sleep can have a negative effect on your heart. However, studies are showing that a good way to ensure your heart health stays intact is by scoring less on the essential health list.

A recent study published in a medical journal called the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology shows a strong link between following Life's Essential 8 (LE8) habits and your risk of getting atrial fibrillation (AFib), a serious heart problem. If you don't score well on these eight important health measures, your risk of AFib could almost double. But, if you embrace these habits, you can greatly lower your chances of getting this potentially deadly heart rhythm issue and also reduce your overall risk of dying.

Understanding Atrial Fibrillation

Your heart has two main parts: the top chambers and the bottom chambers. In AFib, these parts don't beat together properly; they get out of sync. It's like a drummer playing off-beat. This condition affects over a million people in the UK and is a big reason for one out of every five strokes. Strokes caused by AFib are often more severe, meaning they can lead to more deaths and greater disabilities. A big problem with AFib is that it often doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms. This means people might not even know they have it until they suddenly have a stroke.

Tracking Habits and Outcomes

Researchers followed 3,161 people, all aged 45 or older, for ten years. During this time, they kept an eye on their LE8 habits. What they found was quite clear: if someone had a low LE8 score, they had a higher chance of getting AFib. If they had a high score, their risk was much lower. Interestingly, if someone had an average (intermediate) score, it didn't seem to make a big difference in their risk of AFib. Over the course of the study, 424 people passed away, and 410 were diagnosed with AFib.

What are Life's Essential 8?

LE8 is like a checklist or a report card created by the American Heart Association (AHA). It helps us understand eight key things we can do every day to keep our hearts healthy. Think of them as eight daily choices that can make a big difference. These eight habits are:

• Food
• Physical activity
• Nicotine
• Sleep
• Weight
• Cholesterol.
• Blood sugar
• Blood pressure

Key Habits for AFib Prevention

When the researchers looked at each of the eight habits separately, they discovered that three of them had the biggest impact on a person's risk of getting AFib: weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. This means these three are super important for preventing AFib. Surprisingly, in this specific study, habits like sleep, cholesterol, smoking, and physical activity didn't show a strong individual link to AFib risk. This doesn't mean they're not important for overall health, just that their direct connection to AFib risk wasn't as strong in this study.

Future Implications and Recommendations

The researchers hope that what they've learned will encourage doctors and other healthcare workers to talk to their patients about making changes based on the LE8 guidelines. They also pointed out that more studies are needed to see if specific actions or programs related to these habits could further change a person's risk for heart problems.

To get a high score on the LE8 assessment as an adult, the American Heart Association suggests you should:

Eat well

Fill your plate with whole foods, lots of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, nuts, seeds, and healthy oils (not tropical ones like coconut or palm oil).

Stay active

Aim for at least 2 and a half hours of moderate exercise (like brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (like running) each week.

Don't smoke

Avoid all forms of nicotine, including cigarettes and vaping.

Get enough sleep

Try to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every night.

Manage your weight

Keep your Body Mass Index (BMI) in a healthy range.

Control blood pressure

Keep your blood pressure at good levels, usually less than 120 over 80 (written as 120/80 mm Hg).

Lower cholesterol

Aim for low cholesterol levels, ideally less than 5 mmol/L.

A new analysis has revealed alarming disparities in lung health across the United States, placing a spotlight on states where breathing may be more dangerous than elsewhere. From poor air quality to high smoking rates and weak anti-smoking policies, the report, conducted by Opera Beds using data from the American Lung Association, EPA, and other sources, paints a concerning picture—particularly for residents in the Midwest and South.

According to the report, Indiana ranks as the worst state for lung health, followed closely by Ohio and Alaska. Meanwhile, Colorado and Hawaii top the list as the healthiest places for your lungs. So, what’s driving these differences? And what can be done to protect our lungs—no matter where we live?

Why Lung Health Is a Critical Concern?

Lung health isn’t just about breathing a little easier—it’s tied to survival. Millions of Americans suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and lung cancer, with respiratory illnesses killing thousands every year. Lung disease doesn’t always show symptoms early on, and by the time it does, it can be deadly. That’s why public health experts stress the importance of early prevention—and why where you live might matter more than you think. Opera Beds compiled its rankings using multiple factors that influence lung health:

• Smoking prevalence
• State-wide smokefree air policies
• Ambient air pollution levels (PM2.5)
• Climate factors like temperature and humidity

The final scores ranged from 4.04 to 9.11 out of 10.

The 10 Worst US States for Lung Health

Following Indiana were:

Ohio (4.72)

Alaska (4.79)

Pennsylvania

Michigan

Nevada

Tennessee

Louisiana

Mississippi

Kentucky

These states tend to have a combination of lax tobacco laws, higher-than-average pollution levels, or climates that exacerbate respiratory illness. Alaska, for instance, faces unique challenges from wildfire smoke and extreme seasonal fluctuations, while states like Nevada struggle with dry air and particulate pollution from desert regions.

The Healthiest US States for Lungs

At the other end of the spectrum, Colorado and Hawaii each earned a top score of 9.11, thanks to low smoking rates, strong public health protections, and generally cleaner air.

“According to our data, the West Coast is the best place to live in the U.S. in terms of lung health,” Opera Beds noted. “Six of the top 10 states are located on the western side of the country... suggesting that those on the West Coast may be less likely to develop respiratory conditions like COPD.”

Other top-performers included New Mexico, Washington, Oregon, and Vermont, with many of these states also benefiting from investments in clean energy, stricter smoking laws, and higher public awareness about air quality.

Interestingly, California presents a mixed picture. Despite facing high levels of air pollution in urban hubs like Los Angeles and the Central Valley, it still made the higher end of the ranking. Thanks to comprehensive tobacco control policies, strong public health infrastructure, and efforts to reduce vehicle emissions.

This suggests that policy intervention can significantly offset environmental risk factors—something other states should take note of.

What You Can Do To Protect Your Lungs?

Even if you live in a high-risk state, there are steps you can take to guard your lung health:

1. Quit Smoking (Or Don’t Start)

Cigarette smoking is still the number one preventable cause of lung disease and cancer. Smoking inflames and narrows airways, destroys lung tissue, and can trigger chronic conditions like emphysema and bronchitis.

2. Get Regular Lung Checkups

Don't wait for a serious cough to get evaluated. Regular checkups help detect early signs of lung problems. Ask your provider to monitor your breathing, especially if you have a history of smoking or environmental exposure.

3. Stay Physically Active

Exercise improves your lung capacity and helps oxygen circulate more efficiently. Brisk walking, swimming, or even light aerobic activity can support long-term lung function.

4. Limit Indoor Pollutants

You might not realize it, but indoor air can be more polluted than what’s outside. Reduce your exposure by using air filters, ventilating well, and avoiding products with harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances.

Be aware of mold, radon, and secondhand smoke—major triggers for respiratory disease.

5. Watch Outdoor Air Quality

On days when pollution levels spike, especially in summer, limit time outdoors—particularly near roads. Use resources like AirNow.gov to check your area’s daily air quality index (AQI).

This isn’t just about red states or blue states. It’s about air, policies, and health outcomes that affect every breath we take.