When To Take Heartburn Seriously: The Word on GERD

Visualization is courtesy of TheVisualMD.com

For many people, all it takes is eating that one extra doughnut or going to bed on a very full stomach. An uncomfortable burning sensation creeps into the throat or chest, and it doesn’t go away until you take some antacid. Almost everyone experiences occasional heartburn or acid reflux (regurgitation of stomach fluid).In fact, 60 million Americans report getting heartburn at least once a month. Occasional heartburn or reflux is not something to worry about.
But if you have more two or more heartburn or acid reflux episodes every week, or if the attacks interfere with your life and keep you awake at night, you should see your doctor. You may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and it’s not something you should ignore: In rare cases, GERD can be a precursor to esophageal cancer.
What is GERD? GERD is a condition in which acid that belongs in your stomach backs up into your food pipe, or esophagus. It happens when a sphincter muscle at the base of the esophagus relaxes at the wrong time. Normally, this muscle releases when you swallow to let food and liquid enter your stomach and then closes again. In people who have GERD, the muscle is weakened and it stays open when it should close. Stomach acid flows backwards into the esophagus. The stomach lining is designed to handle this acid, but the esophagus is not: The acid irritates and inflames the lining of the esophagus, causing a burning sensation.
The chronic inflammation of the esophagus caused by GERD not only creates discomfort, it can also lead to several complications. Scar tissue that forms when acid damages cells in the esophageal lining can narrow the food pipe, making it hard to swallow. The acid can also cause painful, bleeding sores or ulcers to form on the esophagus that also make it difficult to swallow.
A third complication caused by GERD comes from microscopic changes that make the lining of the esophagus more like the lining of the intestine. These changes, known as Barrett’s esophagus, are associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer. While esophageal cancer is relatively rare—about 1% of cancers diagnosed—people who have Barrett’s esophagus have as much as eight times the risk of getting this cancer.
If you think you may have GERD, it’s important to get a diagnosis from your doctor, since the disease can be confused with other conditions. In addition to heartburn and acid reflux, symptoms of GERD include a sour taste in your mouth, a dry cough or hoarseness, a sore throat, and chest pain. If you experience chest pain, seek medical attention immediately, since it may be the symptom of a heart attack.
Preventing and treating GERD Changes in diet and lifestyle can help reduce or eliminate symptoms of GERD and also lower your risk of developing the disease in the first place.
• Watch your weight If your weight is within the normal range, you are less likely to develop GERD, so stay vigilant about keeping extra pounds from creeping on. If you are overweight, lose the extra pounds. Obesity is linked to a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in GERD symptoms and a 2- 2.5-fold increase in the risk of esophageal cancer. Being overweight puts pressure on your abdomen, which pushes up your stomach, which in turn causes acid to back up. (Pregnancy has a similar effect, which is why many pregnant women complain of heartburn.)
Talk to your doctor about a gradual weight loss plan that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains—and regular exercise. Aim for a body mass index of less than 25 if you are female and less than 26 if you are male, and you’ll lower your chances of getting GERD. No matter what your weight, avoid wearing clothes that are tight around the waist, since that also puts pressure on your abdomen.
• Avoid trigger foods Certain foods weaken the sphincter muscle at the base of the esophagus and also irritate the lining of the esophagus. If you have GERD, notice which foods trigger your symptoms and stay away from them. Common trigger foods include tomatoes and citrus fruits, fatty or fried foods, tea, coffee, and other caffeinated beverages, chocolate, alcohol, mint, garlic, onions, and spicy foods.
• Go easy at mealtime Don’t stuff yourself. Eat smaller meals so your stomach isn’t filled to the brim. And wait at least three hours before lying down after a meal. Stomach acid can flow into the esophagus more easily when you lie down. For the same reason, sleeping with the head end of your bed elevated can help relieve nighttime symptoms. Use blocks to raise the head of the bed or put a wedge under your mattress. Using pillows to elevate your head is not considered to be effective.
• Quit smoking If you smoke, stop. Smoking can impair the functioning of the esophagus’s sphincter muscle and increase your risk of GERD.
• Medication and other remedies While lifestyle changes can help alleviate symptoms of GERD, many people find they need to combine changes in diet with medication to relieve the symptoms of GERD. Over-the-counter antacids can provide temporary relief of heartburn by buffering the effects of the acid, but overuse can cause side effects. Another type of medication called H-2 receptors (Pepcid AC is an example), gives longer relief. A third medication, called protein pump inhibitors (PPI), actually blocks acid production, giving the inflamed esophagus a chance to heal. A long-term side effect of PPIs is vitamin B12 deficiency. This is because the parietal cells in the stomach that produce stomach acid also produce a protein called intrinsic factor (IF), a glycoprotein necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12. However, recent studies suggest while this may be a problem for elderly patients (where B12 deficiency is a common disorder), most patients consuming a normal diet will not experience clinically significant B12 deficiency, taking into account that the usual human diet contains far more B12 than required. Long-term use of PPIs at high doses may also increase the risk of hip fracture in people over 50, possibly by reducing calcium absorption, according to a 2006 study. Your doctor can help you decide which, if any, of these medications make sense for you to use and whether you should take calcium supplements with PPI medication.
In rare cases where medication combined with lifestyle changes doesn’t relieve GERD, surgery is sometimes used to treat GERD. One procedure, known as Nissen fundoplication, involves reinforcing the lower esophageal muscle by wrapping the stomach muscle around it. Another involves stitching closed part of the stomach to prevent acid from washing back into the esophagus (EndoCinch endoluminal gastroplication). And another type of surgery uses heat to form scar tissue as a way of strengthening the lower esophageal muscle (Stretta procedure). According to a 2006 review, however, more research is needed to determine how effective these surgical approaches are at actually reducing acid reflux and inflammation of the esophagus. That’s why your best bet is to make healthy lifestyle choices that will help you avoid getting GERD and get the symptoms under control early on.

Gold hits record high of $1,900 on global growth fears

Demand for traditional safe-havens such as gold rises during times of economic uncertainty

The price of gold has crossed $1,900 per ounce mark for the first time on growing concerns about a slowdown in the global economy.

The precious metal rose 0.9% to $1,913.50 an ounce in Asian trade.
Fears of a slowdown in the US and the debt crisis in Europe have spurred demand for gold which is seen as a safe investment in times of uncertainty.
Analysts said that with further US monetary stimulus looking likely, gold prices could rise even further.
"For the time being investors are happy looking at gold as safe haven in these troubled times, and will continue to do so until we see something positive and sustainable." said Darren Heathcote of Investec Australia.
Dollar vs gold? Analysts said demand for gold was also being driven by speculation that the US Federal Reserve may announce new stimulus measures in a bid to boost the economy.
Central bank governors from across the globe are scheduled to gather for their annual meeting at the Jackson Hole summit later this week.
There is growing speculation that Ben Bernanke, the governor of the US central bank, may announce fresh stimulus measures in his speech at the summit.
"The idea for QE2 was conceived during the Jackson Hole summit last year," Ong Yi-Ling of Phillip Futures told the BBC.
"So the markets are hoping similar measures could be announced at this year's speech and that is spurring demand for gold."
Colin Whitehead of Fat Prophets added "If they push through with more stimulus, gold could rise even further,"
He explained that a fresh stimulus package would mean that the US will have to print more money to boost liquidity in the markets, which in turn could see the US currency weaken further.
"The underlying driver of gold prices is the depreciating US dollar value," he said, "so the more money they print, the stronger gold gets."

Kim Kardashian - Kim Kardashian And Kris Humphries Wed In Montecito

Kim Kardashian and basketball player Kris Humphries have exchanged vows at a private estate in Montecito, California.
The couple wed on Saturday evening (20Aug11).
Kardashian wore a custom Vera Wang gown reportedly inspired by the dress Pippa Middleton wore to the royal wedding in England in April (11). The bridesmaids and Kardashian's mother also wore Vera Wang dresses.
Celebrity guests included Eva Longoria, Lindsay Lohan and Melanie Brown, who had feared her pregnancy would keep her from the big day.
Earlier this week (beg15Aug11) she told Access Hollywood, "I'm hoping I'm gonna be there. Obviously I want to see my friend get married and it looks like it's gonna be a beautiful evening, it's gonna be a beautiful wedding. So, fingers crossed."
Basketball superstar Carmelo Anthony and boxer Sugar Ray Leonard were also present at the nuptials, as were members of Humphries' New Jersey Nets team.
Prior to the big event, Kardashian took to her Celebuzz.com blog to thank friends and family who had helped her plan the wedding, and urged fans to leave a comment in her Virtual Wedding Guestbook on the site.
She wrote, "I can't believe it's finally here! Thank you so much to everyone who made this day happen!!!!! You guys mean the world to me, and I want to thank you for all your love and support."
Meanwhile, proud mum Kris Jenner used her blog to honour her daughter on the morning before the ceremony.
She wrote, "Kimberly, I still remember you as a little girl playing dress up in my closet like it was yesterday!! I can’t believe the time has flown by so fast.. I am so very proud of you and I am so happy you have found such happiness!
"I know you and Kris will be very happy together and you have found someone to grow old with. You will always be my little princess angel, and you are going to make the most amazing wife. You are truly blessed. I love you with all my heart."

Teeth brushing mistakes you're making

© Kurhan - Fotolia.com

You most certainly brush your teeth, as you're keen on having a pleasant breath and a nice, white smile.
But are you brushing correctly? Are you doing it at the right time?
We've compiled a guide to common brushing mistakes, and how to do it right.

You are brushing at the wrong time

You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, though three times is better.
Brushing before bed is a must. Removing bacteria from your mouth prevents them from attacking your teeth overnight.
In the morning, brush your teeth before breakfast, to remove the bacteria and plaque that has accumulated overnight.
You can also brush after lunch, but not more. Brushing too often can damage your gums.

You're brushing and spitting

Once you've brushed your teeth, you probably rinse your mouth with water to get rid of the toothpaste flavour.
This is a mistake. You should not rinse your mouth, merely spit out the toothpaste.
This will leave a coating of fluoride on your teeth, which helps prevent tooth decay by inhibiting the chemical processes of plaque bacteria.

You’re not brushing for long enough, or too long

A quick once over will not do.
You should brush 2 to 3 minutes each time.
Anything less, and you may not properly clean your teeth.
Brushing for too long may irritate your gums.

You are using the wrong toothbrush

If you shop for your toothbrush on the basis of price or colour, think again.
The key thing in choosing a toothbrush is head size and bristle hardness.
The brush should be the right size for your mouth, not too big. You can tell it's too big if you're struggling to open your mouth wide to brush.
Buy a brush with bristles that are soft, as hard bristles can irritate your gums, especially if you brush too hard.
The bristles should be able to remove the plaque but not damage your teeth.

You're brushing the wrong way

The recommended way to brush your teeth is not with horizontal strokes along your gums.
Instead, the current method recommended by the British Dental Health Foundation is to place the brush at 45 degrees against your gum line and move it in small circular movements on all the surfaces of every tooth.
Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower, keeping the bristles angled against the gum line.
Brush the biting surfaces of the teeth.
To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several small circular strokes with the front part of the brush.
Finally, brush your tongue. This will remove bacteria from its surface and freshen your breath.

You’re not rinsing your toothbrush enough

Bacteria grows on your toothbrush, so it is important to rinse it before and after use.
It will also remove any toothpaste that may be left on the brush.
After rinsing the brush, shake out the moisture, as a moist brush is a breeding ground for bacteria.

Your toothbrush is too old

The longer you use your toothbrush, the more bent and misshapen the bristles will be, which undermines their effectiveness.
You should replace your brush every three months, or once your bristles have lost their flexibility.

You're not flossing

You may be diligent at brushing your teeth, but if you're not flossing regularly, you're failing to clean your teeth properly.
Bits of food will get stuck between your teeth in places where the bristles don't reach. The food will decay and bacteria will attack your teeth and gums.
The only way to remove food may be by flossing, which is why you should make a habit of doing so daily.
Buy the right floss for your teeth - waxed if you have closely spaced teeth, or tougher floss if you have rough tooth edges.
Make sure you use enough floss, as reusing it may simply move bacteria between teeth.

Dating advice: The age of romance

Whatever our life stage, lifestyle or background, we’re all connected by one common theme - the quest for love – but how does our life stage affect our attitudestowards looking for the one and stepping into the world of online dating. Independent Singles takes a look.

Twenty-somethings

Work, active lifestyles, university, large social groups and a wealth of opportunities all mean that the twentysomethings of our generation are never short of new people to meet. So why do so many turn to online dating? For people in their 20s, the dating website has become an extension of their online persona. Weaned on a diet of Facebook, Twitter and various other forms of social media, accustomed to shopping, banking, chatting, sharing music and so on on the net, they've slotted online dating into their normal lives effortlessly. Sitting comfortably next to the club, workplace or bar, it’s simply social networking (where you nurture existing relationships as opposed to forming new ones) in reverse, and another way to seek a mate.

So what are they looking for? Typically, at this stage in their lives, twenty-somethings want it all. They’re looking for looks, money, ambition, honesty and above all, someone who they can build a future with. In particular, a study carried out by Netmums and Saga Magazine found that younger women are likely to be seduced by a high-flyer, with their perfect man typified by the wealthy ‘Mr Big’ character from the TV series Sex and the City.

Middle of the road

Middle of the road daters - in other words, people in their 30s and 40s, usually comprise of those who are in the market looking for a second- or third-time love, possibly due to divorce and usually as a single parent. With relationship breakdown on the increase, we’re now seeing a significant rise in the number of divorcees entering the dating scene. Similarly, with the rise in the number of children born outside of matrimony, the number of single parents searching for a new partner has increased accordingly.

According to a report from Love Geist, ‘being a single parent is no longer a taboo in the UK - the combination of falling marriage rates, the growth in the number of people choosing to cohabit rather than marry, and a variety of other socio-economic factors has meant that the number of single parents has grown substantially over recent years.’

Technology has played a huge role in allowing lone parents, and those who may be inexperienced in the ways of modern dating - due to coming out of the security of a long term relationship - to meet potential new partners. As social norms change and traditional relationships break down, online dating provides the perfectportal for those singles looking for new romance, whilst at the same time juggling everything that everyday life throws at them.

Silver Surfers

Online dating opens up a whole new arena for those people who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to find love.

This couldn’t be more apparent than from mature dating sites, with the 50+ demographic proving to be one of the fastest growing sectors in the market. It’s easy to see why too, considering this segment of the marketconsists of around 78 million baby boomers, with 30 per cent of them being single. In a culture that caters predominantly to the young, online dating has offered those dating in their later years, an easily accessible means of meeting new partners. With technology being very much at the heart of modern society it’s now a case of‘if you can beat them, join them.’

Using cutting-edge technology to cultivate age-old emotions, this age-group of online daters are looking for more deep-rooted qualities such as reliability, friendship, and kindness. Unlike the twentysomethings who are aroused by ambition, the mature daters have been there and done that, so to speak, andare consequently looking for mutually accepting companionship with a Mr or Mrs Sensible type.

Love at all ages

There’s no doubting that when it comes to online dating one mould certainly doesn’t fit all. With this in mind, Independent Singles caters for different age groups, offering a singles site which caters for the younger and middle-of-the-road daters, and a Mature site catering for the silver surfers.

So whatever stage you’ve arrived at, live life to the full with Independent Singles.

Cocksure Bolt eyes Worlds defence

Usain Bolt, the world's fastest man, predicted on Saturday he would retain his world 100 metres title in Daegu, South Korea, easily this month provided he gets a decent start.

"If I get a good start...it won't be a problem for me," the lanky Jamaican told Reuters in an interview on the eve of his 25th birthday. "I think I will win with ease. When I get into my running stride I don't think anybody can match it, no matter my shape."
The 100 metres preliminaries take place on the first day of the championships on August 27 with the final on the following day. Bolt, whose 2010 season was curtailed because of injury, starts his 200 metres title defence on September 3.
Bolt said his primary aim was to defend his titles.
"There won't be any records here," added Bolt who smashed the world marks in the 100 and 200 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and again at the world championships in Berlin in the following year.
"Just to defend my titles, that is the main aim for me.
"A lot of people will be wanting a fast time so I think 9.7 (seconds) should be good," he said of the 100 metres.
Bolt's team-mate Asafa Powell is the fastest man this year, clocking 9.78 seconds in Lausanne in June. His time is a tenth of a second quicker than anything the world record holder has managed this season.
"The injury kind of threw me off a lot," said Bolt. "I really couldn't push myself early season because you have to take it slowly. You can't really rush back into it."
Bolt said his biggest problem was his start.
"It was like starting over for me for the start," the Jamaican said. "It's hard to run when you are race rusty so to me it is just getting back into running."
Bolt, speaking after showing off his new gold, black and green Jamaican-coloured running spikes to a group of women dressed in traditional Korean costume, said his training was going well and we was ready to run.
"When I came here I felt that emotion," he said. "When I saw people cheering for me in the airport I could feel that championship vibe coming on."

Why drink bottled water?

© Andrey Armyagov - Fotolia.com

Bottled water or tap water? The answer very much depends on how much you believe the hype.
Many Brits certainly do. Bottled water is a £2 billion business annually in the UK, and brands from across the world compete for precious shelf space.
It's big business, and it's global: About a quarter of all bottled water is exported to another country, or about 22 million tonnes of it annually.
So why buy it? A study by Birmingham University found that people tend to believe that bottled water is somehow healthier, but don't know why.
Perhaps because it costs more. Bottled water costs around 500 times more compared to the stuff that comes out of the tap. A survey of bottled waters by consumer watchdog Which even found a bottled variety that cost 13,000 times more than tap.
Manufacturers would have you believe that bottled water is naturally cleaner, tastier and more "microbiologically wholesome," than tap water.
You can't begrudge them their wily marketing, but many in fact get their water from - wait for it - municipal water systems, the same place that your tap water comes from.
And there is nothing natural about the way many bottled waters land on your restaurant table or shop shelf.
Aside from the oil used to manufacture the plastic containers, bottled water has a much higher carbon footprint per litre than tap.
Producing and transporting bottle water results in hundreds of times more CO2 emissions per litre and that's before considering the impact the plastic bottles have on the environment - only around a quarter are recycled.
Ok, so it's not 'green' to drink bottled water, but what about health? Isn't tap water full of bad stuff?
If you live in a country where water standards may be poor, or even dangerous, then you have cause for concern.
But if you live in Britain, you can rest assured that it has been filtered, chlorinated and tested extensively, and is perfectly safe to drink, in fact, one of the safest in the world.
You may buy bottled water because it tastes so much better than the tap stuff.
But does it really? Two studies conducted in France and Northern Ireland found that water tastes like... water.
The majority of people in a blind taste test could not distinguish between bottled water and chilled tap water.
In the Irish study, the researchers wrote: "The findings from this study indicate that people cannot correctly identify bottled water on the basis of its flavour."
This "suggests that the currently high consumer demand for this beverage must be based on factors other than taste or olfactory perception."
That said, tap water can taste from different region to region. It may contain different amounts of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which can affect the flavour. Some parts of Scotland have particularly soft water with low levels of calcium compared with other parts of the country.
If it bothers you that much, the solution is to pour tap water into a jug and put it in the fridge, or even buy a water filter. This ought to make it more palatable. Then smile smugly at the thought of the money you have just saved.

Cesc Fabregas has medical in Barcelona hospital

Fabregas has made 303 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 57 goals

Cesc Fabregas is a step closer to becoming a Barcelona player after starting the first of two medicals in the Spanish city.

On Sunday, Arsenal and Barca confirmed an "agreement in principle" over the sale of Fabregas.
He will discuss personal terms and is expected to be unveiled at 1300 BST after signing his contract.
It means the 24-year-old is set to return to the team he left as a 16-year-old in 2003.
"We understand Cesc's desire to move to his home-town club and have now accepted an offer from Barcelona," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Analysis

Continue reading the main story

Dan Roan,
BBC sports news correspondent

Arsenal have lost one of their most talented ever players, but Fabregas's departure will provoke as much relief as it does disappointment among the club's fans. The way he and Barcelona bullied Arsenal into submission reflected poorly on both. Arsenal deserved better and it is now time for them to move on. Finding a replacement for Fabregas (and soon Samir Nasri) will not be easy, and one wonders how much damage this saga has done to Arsene Wenger's motivation

"We have been clear that we didn't want Cesc to leave and that remains the case.
"We thank Cesc for his contribution at Arsenal and wish him future success."
Barcelona have been chasing Fabregas since last summer. As BBC Sport revealed on Friday, Arsenal will receive a guaranteed £30m transfer fee, with a further £5m dependent on the number of games played and trophies won by the Spaniard during his time at the Nou Camp.
News of the deal was confirmed at half-time of the first leg of Barcelona's Spanish Super Cup match against Real Madrid on Sunday, which ended 2-2.
The Spanish champions stated on their official website that Fabregas is scheduled to sign his contract at 1130 BST before being unveiled to the media at 1300 BST. Meanwhile, Wenger will have to face the media ahead of Tuesday's Champions League qualifier against Udinese.
Fabregas trained with his Arsenal team-mates for the final time on Friday morning and was not part of Wenger's squad for Saturday's Premier League opener against Newcastle, which finished 0-0.

BIGGEST BRITISH TRANSFERS

• £80m Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd - Real Madrid)
• £50m Fernando Torres (Liverpool - Chelsea)
• £38m Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid - Man City)
• £35m Andy Carroll (Newcastle - Liverpool)
• £32.5m Robinho (Real Madrid - Man City)

He had missed the club's summer tour of Asia as well as other pre-season games, including the Emirates Cup, because of a hamstring injury.
The Spaniard, who has 58 caps for his country, made 303 appearances for the Gunners during his eight-year spell in north London, scoring 57 goals in all competitions.
In October 2003, he became Arsenal's youngest first-team player when he made his debut against Rotherham United in the Carling Cup aged 16 years and 177 days.
He also became the club's youngest goalscorer when he netted against Wolves in a 5-1 win that December. Fabregas was part of the Arsenal team that beat Manchester United on penalties to win the 2005 FA Cup, which turned out to be his only major trophy with the Gunners.
He went on to become Arsenal captain in November 2008. Striker Robin van Persie is likely to take over as the new permanent Arsenal skipper, although he will be suspended for the Udinese match after being shown a red card against Barcelona in the Champions League last season.
When quizzed on the futures of Fabregas and Samir Nasri - who BBC Sport understands is close to a move to Manchester City - at a news conference on Friday, Wenger had said he expected "nobody to leave" Arsenal.

Packers linebacker forgets ID, can’t get into White House

When the Green Bay Packers visited the White House on Friday to celebrate the team's Super Bowl title, linebacker Desmond Bishop(notes) wasn't with his teammates. He had forgotten his license on the team charter plane and without a license, there's no getting past White House security.
The fifth-year veteran Tweeted about his disappointment while the Packers were at a South Lawn reception with President Barack Obama:

Just found some extra motivation tweeples. I forgot my id on plane so won't get access to see @barackobama .. This time! But next year ;)

Tho dissapointed, i ll live vicariously thru my fellow Teammates.. Nap time.. As jack reacher wud say "sleep wen u can.."

I'd love if Bishop had provided more information. At what point did he realize he didn't have his ID and couldn't get access to the White House? Did he figure it out on the bus or make it all the way to the gate before getting turned down? If so, did he plead his case to unsympathetic guards? Was the possibility of sneaking into the ceremony under the suit of 320-pound tackle Chad Clifton(notes) ever broached?
A lot of times when amusing mix-ups like this happen, people try and offer words like "at least it makes for a great story" as comfort. But, no, not this time. You know what makes for a great story? Going to the White House to meet the president after winning a Super Bowl.
Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
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Jen and Marc had 'problems' over Scientology views

• 
  Jennifer Lopez - Source: BANG Showbiz

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony split after failing to "see eye-to-eye" on Scientology.
The On The Floor hitmaker - who called time on her seven-year marriage to the singer last month - was reportedly hoping to send the couple's three-year-old twins Max and Emme to a specialist Scientology school, however Marc wasn't so keen on the idea.
A source told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: "Jennifer and Marc couldn't see eye-to-eye on the subject. She's always been more into the church than him. He wasn't a huge fan and it caused problems."
The 42-year-old star recently admitted she wished people wouldn't judge the Scientology religion - also followed by Jennifer's close friends Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes - before they know what it is.
She said: "I just wish that people wouldn't judge it without knowing what it is."
Despite the couple's shock split, Jennifer claimed she will remain an "eternal optimist", and is still confident about finding love again.
She recently explained: "This was the hardest decision I've ever had to face. I really wanted this family to work. That was my biggest dream, and I worked hard at it. We both did. Sometimes it doesn't work - and that's sad. But I remain an eternal optimist about love. I believe in love...It's still my biggest dream."

Usain Bolt: Case Study In Science Of Sprinting

One year from now, the 2012 Olympic Games will begin in London, where all eyes will be on the incomparable Usain Bolt -- the Jamaican sprinter who is more than living up to his name.
Since 2008, Bolt has taken a jackhammer to the 100-meter world record, lopping off a whopping .14 seconds. That might not sound like a huge chunk of time until you consider it's twice as much as any other sprinter has shaved off the world record since the advent of electronic scoring.
Logically, one would think that Bolt did so by moving his legs faster than anyone else. Only he didn't.
Speed, as it turns out, may be completely misunderstood.

When Bolt established the current 100-meter world record in the 2009 world championships, running it in 9.58 seconds, he did so by moving his legs at virtually the same pace as his competitors. In fact, if you or I were to compete against Bolt, our legs would turn over at essentially the same rate as his.
This is a theory put forth by academics and track coaches alike who contend that running fast has more to do with the force one applies to the ground than how quickly one can move one's legs.
More than a decade ago, Peter Weyand, a science professor at Southern Methodist University, conducted a study on speed. Comparing athletes to non-athletes, Weyand clocked both test groups as they ran at their top speed. What he found shocked him.
"The amount of time to pick up a leg and put it down is very similar," he says. "It surprised us when we first figured it out."
So if leg turnover is the same, how does one person run faster than another?
Weyand discovered that speed is dependent upon two variables: The force with which one presses against the ground and how long one applies that force.

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Think of the legs as springs. The more force they can push against the ground, the further they can propel the body forward, thus maximizing the output of each individual step. In a full sprint, the average person applies about 500 to 600 pounds of force. An Olympic sprinter can apply more than 1,000 pounds.
But force isn't the only factor. How quickly that force is applied factors in as well.

For this, think of bouncing a beach ball versus a super ball. The beach ball is soft and mushy and when bounced on the ground sits for a while before slowly rebounding back into the air. Conversely, a super ball is hard and stiff and when bounced rebounds almost instantaneously -- and at a much faster speed than the beach ball.
The average person's foot is on the ground for about .12 seconds, while an Olympic sprinter's foot is on the ground for just .08 seconds -- a 60-percent difference.
"The amount of time [one's legs are] in the air is .12, regardless if you're fast or slow," Weyand explains. "An elite sprinter gets the aerial time they need with less time on the ground to generate that lift -- or to get back up in the air -- because they can hit harder."
So what makes Bolt faster than even the elite sprinters? And can he run the 100 meters even faster than 9.58 seconds?
Bolt's superiority is often explained by his unique combination of height, strength and acceleration.
At 6-foot-5, Bolt is two inches taller than fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell (pictured together below) and has six inches on American Tyson Gay -- two of his closest challengers. While it takes most elite sprinters 44 strides to complete 100 meters, Bolt does it in 41.

"Would you rather take 44 steps to your car or 41?" asks Dan Pfaff, who coached Canada's Donovan Bailey to the 100-meter gold during the Atlanta Games in 1996.
Pfaff, now working in London to help boost Great Britain's track-and-field hopes for 2012, says Bolt's height gives him a distinct leverage advantage.
"If you're digging a hole in the ground, you have to get a longer lever to pry [out a rock]," he explains. "If you can control those levers and make them work efficiently, it's a huge advantage."
It's Bolt's ability to control the levers that is so unusual for a sprinter his height.
While taller sprinters may be able to reach a higher top-end speed, getting up to that speed isn't as easy. This can be explained physiologically -- smaller people can exert more force in relation to how much they weigh -- but Weyand prefers a more simple visual to show this to be true.
"You can easily imagine a 4-foot-10 gymnast doing a triple back flip, but imagine Shaquille O'Neal or Yao Ming doing it," he says. "You know they can't do it."
Bolt, it seems, is the exception to this rule. Though he's not doing triple back flips, he does get up to speed nearly as quickly as his more diminutive competitors.
"He has a very unusual combination of being extremely tall and relatively massive and being able to accelerate well. Those things are at odds with each other," explains Dr. Mike Young, a strength and speed coach who trains professionals in track and field and other sports. "He accelerates better than all but one guy in the world -- behind Asafa Powell -- but because he's so massive, he takes fewer strides. If you're that large, once you're moving, you stay moving."

This would help explain why Bolt still managed to break the world record during the Beijing Games in 2008 despite throwing up his arms in celebration some 20 meters before the finish. As Young explains, if the "average athlete is a motorcycle, Usain Bolt is a dump truck," and it takes a lot more resistance to slow down a dump truck than a motorcycle. Thus, when he fatigues, he slows down more slowly.
"He has the holy triumvirate," Young contends. "He's one of the top accelerators, has the highest top-end speed and the highest endurance. It's something that's never been seen before. Carl Lewis had the highest top speed, the highest endurance, but he was not the best accelerator."
Bolt, just 24, has set his goal of running the 100 meters in the 9.4 range, explaining to Britain's BBC Radio: "Because that's where I think the record will probably never be beaten."
While Young doesn't think Bolt will break 9.5 in London, Weyand, through his research, says it's possible. Though if Bolt pulls it off, it won't be because he moves his legs any faster.

Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez Break Up Rumor Looks to be False

Wondering if the Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez break up rumor is true or not?
Look no further than the iconic teen couple’s latest outing together for a clue.
On Saturday evening, JB made a surprise visit to girlfriend Selena Gomez’s concert in Boca Raton, Fla., but was forced to make a hasty retreat once fans realized he was in the house.
Earlier in the day, in an apparent attempt to throw his rabid fans off track, Bieber had written a post on Twitter mentioning he was in Canada.
But once the truth of Bieber’s whereabouts got out amongst the audience, the 17-year-old heartthrob had to escape using a back door, in order to avoid being trampled by a riot-like horde of screaming tween girls.
The Boca Raton surprise visit wasn’t “the Bieb’s” first – he also turned up at Selena’s tour debut last week.
In that outing, Bieber joined a seemingly shocked Gomez on stage and the two embraced for a romantic hug.

Top 10 Things You Didn't Know About Ramadan

Each year as part of Ramadan, which began this year on Aug. 1, millions of Muslims worldwide will fast for 30 days from sunrise to sunset. But the monthlong holiday is about much more than fasting. TIME takes a look at the things you might not know about the holy month

It's Not Just 'No Eating' ...

Marton Magocsi / EPA

... It's "no drinking" too: Muslims drink not even a drop of water from dawn to dusk. In addition to not eating or drinking anything all day, they also abstain from excesses like cigarettes and sex. Yet despite the fasting, Ramadan in most Muslim countries is an interesting mix of austerity and celebration. While they abstain from many things during the day, after sunset families and friends often visit with one other, filling the streets of major cities with food and laughter until the wee hours.A date is traditionally the first thing eaten to break the fast, followed by juice or jallab — a sweet drink made from dates, rose water and carob that is usually served with floating pine nuts and raisins. In Egypt, dates, a traditional Ramadan food, are harvested in different farms and oases across the country, as well as imported from North Africa and the Arabian Gulf states. The best dates are often given catchy names by their vendors to help market them. In 2006, after Israel's war against Lebanon, the best dates were called Hassan Nasrallah, after the leader of Lebanon's Hizballah. In 2009, after the U.S. President made a visit to Cairo, the best dates were called Obama. This year, the most prized dates are called Martyrs of the Revolution. Tahrir Square is another favorite.Religious baby names aren't unusual across any faith; however, when devout Catholics choose to reflect their faith in their child's name, they often go the way of a saint, like Mary, or the way of a virtue, like Grace. You'd be hard-pressed to find a baby named Lent. Not the case with Ramadan, as the religious observance has also become a common name for Muslim baby boys. While the name was a more popular choice in the '90s than it is now, Ramadan could be making a comeback. According to the website BabyCenter, the name's popularity has been steadily climbing since 2005.

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Google+ attracts 25 million visitors

While Google+ may be the fastest-growing social network ever, it remains to be seen, however, whether …

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Google Inc's new social network has attracted 25 million users, making it the fastest website to reach that audience size, according to data released on Tuesday by comScore.
Google+, launched in late June, had 25 million unique visitors as of July 24 and is growing at a rate of roughly one million visitors a day, comScore noted in a presentation.
In contrast, it took Facebook about three years to attract 25 million visitors, while Twitter took just over 30 months, according to comScore.
While the data show Google's latest attempt at breaking into social networking has started strongly, it may not mean the project is a long-term success. MySpace grew to 25 million unique visitors in less than two years -- faster than Facebook or Twitter. However, it's lost a lot of visitors in the past year, comScore data show.
The United States had more than 6 million unique visitors, and India more than 3.6 million, the data show,
Canada and the UK had around 1 million unique visitors each, Germany over 920,000 and Brazil just over 780,000. France and Taiwan each had around 500,000.

Why sex is good for you

When it comes to sex, there’s no other month like August.
Lingerie retailer Ann Summers reported a 40 per cent rise in sales last August as shoppers took advantage of the holiday period to boost their sex lives.
Meanwhile, researchers from Boston State Hospital in the U.S. have found that summer sun at least doubles levels of the sex hormone testosterone, boosting a flagging libido.

More fertile: The amount of sex you have is important. The more often you make love, the better quality your sperm will be

This is thought to be because the sun’s rays trigger vitamin D production, which in turn boosts production of the hormone.
And if another excuse is needed, it’s well known that sex burns calories — just this week a survey found that 87 per cent of women named sex as their favourite way to exercise (shopping came second).
But there are many other benefits, too. Here some of the country’s leading experts reveal some little-known facts about why sex is good for your health.

 More...

• Turning into a pear shape? Then you could have 'painful fat' syndrome
• 'The best way to recover from bowel cancer? Champagne!': Nicky Haslam reveals how he refused to be cowed by fear

IT’S A GOOD WAY TO TEST YOUR EYES

Sex relaxes the muscles and alleviates neck and shoulder tension, says Dr Arun Ghosh, a GP specialising in sexual health at the Spire Liverpool Hospital. And surprisingly, it might also tell you whether you need glasses.
‘I’ve had patients complain of poor vision after sex. What’s happened is that, like all the other muscles in the body, their eye muscles have relaxed and are performing at their true ability, rather than straining and squinting as they would normally.’
So if your sight goes blurry after sex, it’s worth going for an eye test.

IT PROTECTS AGAINST HEART DISEASE

Having sex three times a week could halve the risk of heart attack or stroke

Sex can have a protective effect on the heart. A study at Queen’s University in Belfast found that having sex three times a week could halve the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Another study in Israel found that women who had two orgasms a week were up to 30 per cent less likely to have heart disease than those who didn’t enjoy sex or didn’t orgasm.
Dr Lisa Turner, a sex and relationship therapist, says: ‘One theory is that  these women may have felt depressed, which has been linked with an increased risk of a heart attack.
'The endorphins released during sex also neutralise the stress hormones in the body, which are linked to heart disease.’
And the old cliche of sex causing heart attacks?
‘It’s a very low risk — it accounts for less than 1 per cent of all deaths,’ says Dr Graham Jackson, consultant cardiologist at the London Bridge Hospital and chairman of the Sexual Advice Association.
However, if you’re over 50, overweight and unfit, there is a risk to your heart — just as there would be if you suddenly and vigorously took up any form of exercise.
‘What also increases the risk is extra-marital affairs, and this has been proven by three large studies,’ says Dr Jackson.

‘In fact, this accounts for 75 per cent of heart-related deaths from sex, 90 per cent of which are older men. It’s thought the combination of high-fat foods and alcohol — wining and dining — combined with vigorous exercise, often with a younger partner, is what tends to trigger the heart event.’

IT’LL STRENGTHEN YOUR BONES

U.S. research found menopausal women who had sex every week had oestrogen levels twice as high as their abstaining counterparts.
The hormone has a protective effect in bone health and a lack of it after the menopause has been linked with osteoporosis.
‘Regular sex increases the production of oestrogen,’ says Dr Peter Bowen-Simpkins of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. 

IT MAKES YOU MORE FERTILE

‘I’m often asked whether penis length affects fertility and the good news is no,’ says Dr Ghosh.
But the amount of sex you have  is important. The more often you make love, the better quality your sperm will be.
‘If you’re trying to conceive, you need the sperm to be as fresh as possible — not stuff that’s been sitting in the prostate for three or four days,’ he adds.

IT STAVES OFF  PROSTATE CANCER

Researchers at Nottingham University have found that men who enjoy a regular sex life in their 50s are at lower risk of developing prostate cancer. ‘Clearing the prostate out regularly is the reason behind this,’ says Dr Ghosh.
‘The link was suggested after research showed that monks appear to have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer.’

IT’LL HELP YOU  QUIT SMOKING

Here's a simple way to get your man to kick his smoking habit — remind him that it causes the penis to shrink and can cause impotence.
Erections are all about good blood flow, and lighting up worsens blood flow to the spongy tissues in the penis, says Raj Persad, consultant urological surgeon at Bristol Royal Infirmary.
‘As a result, they become starved of oxygen and the delicate cells die away. They then become fibrotic — forming scar tissue — which is less elastic and less able to expand during an erection than regular healthy tissue.’
Smoking is also a known cause of erectile dysfunction as it causes hardening of the arteries and hampers good blood flow.
A study of more 7,000 Chinese men, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, found that the more cigarettes smoked a day, the higher the risk of impotence.

IT’S A NATURAL SEDATIVE

For a man, a powerful orgasm is the equivalent of having a 2-3mg shot of diazepam (or Valium), says Dr Ghosh.
‘And diazepam works as a muscle relaxant which is why so many men nod off after finishing — there really is a biological reason.’

The endorphins released during sex can really help treat depression and clear the mind

Women benefit emotionally, too.
‘The endorphins released during sex can really help treat depression and clear the mind.
‘One endorphin is serotonin, known as the happy hormone; the other is the endogenous endorphin and this creates a sense of bliss (orgasm) for five to ten seconds in men — and up to four or five minutes in women, which is excellent for mental health.
‘One theory is that women orgasm for longer because their cervix is contracting to draw the sperm up towards the ovaries.’

IT GUARDS AGAINST INCONTINENCE

Providing that a woman is fairly active during sex, then it’s a good workout for her pelvic floor muscles, says Dr Gillian Vanhegan, a spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
The muscles that stem the flow of urine, reducing leakage and incontinence, all benefit and this reduces the risk of stress incontinence and prolapse later in life, both of which are very common.
‘After having children many women don’t have the time to do dedicated pelvic floor exercises, so sex provides a natural workout.’

AND FINALLY...USE IT OR LOSE IT

‘Just like smoking or diabetes, a lack of regular blood flow to the penis will over time cause some of the tissues to die,’ says Mr Persad.
Indeed, Finnish research has confirmed that men who had sex less than once a week at the start of the study were twice as likely to develop erectile dysfunction as those who had it at least once a week.
In the study of 1,000 men aged between 55 and 75, those who had sex three or more times a week lowered their risk fourfold.
There’s no reason not to  enjoy a full sex life in old age, adds Dr Jackson.
‘We have some patients in their 80s taking Viagra-type drugs and studies have shown that a regular sex life can prolong life — it’s basically another form of exercise.
‘There seems to be a myth that you’re past it once you hit 65, but that’s rubbish.’

Plastic heart gives dad Matthew Green new lease of life

Mr Green says he is excited about playing in the garden with his son

A 40-year-old father who was dying from heart failure is set to leave hospital after receiving an artificial heart.

Matthew Green is ready to go home and await a transplant after surgeons at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire replaced his heart with an implant.
His new plastic heart is powered by a portable driver in a backpack, which he said had "revolutionised" his life.
It is thought to be the first time a UK patient has been able to go home with an entirely artificial heart.
Around 900 similar operations have been carried out around the world.
Mr Green said: "It's going to revolutionise my life. Before I couldn't walk anywhere. I could hardly climb a flight of stairs and now I've been up and I've been walking out and getting back to a normal life.
"I went out for a pub lunch over the weekend and that just felt fantastic, to be with normal people again."
Consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Mr Steven Tsui said without the device Mr Green, from London, might not have survived the wait for a heart transplant operation.
"At any point in time there may be as many as 30 people waiting for a heart transplant on our waiting list at Papworth, with one third waiting over a year," he said.
'Excellent recovery'

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The BBC's David Shukman explains how the artificial heart works

"Matthew's condition was deteriorating rapidly and we discussed with him the possibility of receiving this device, because without it, he may not have survived the wait until a suitable donor heart could be found for him."
He said for the first time a patient was walking the streets of Britain without a human heart.
Mr Green, who is married and has a son, had been suffering from Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a heart muscle disease that results in arrhythmia, heart failure and occasionally sudden death.
His health had declined over recent years, meaning the only option available to him was a heart transplant.
Earlier, he thanked the Papworth staff for making "it possible for me to return home to my family".
"Two years ago I was cycling nine miles to work and nine miles back every day, but by the time I was admitted to hospital I was struggling to walk even a few yards," he said.
"I am really excited about going home and just being able to do the everyday things that I haven't been able to do for such a long time, such as playing in the garden with my son and cooking a meal for my family."
The SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart Mr Green received is used as a bridge-to-transplant for patients dying from end-stage biventricular heart failure, where both sides of the heart are failing.
The device works in the same way as a heart transplant in that it replaces both failing ventricles and the heart valves they contain, thus relieving the symptoms and effects of severe heart failure. However, it is not suitable for long-term use.
Mr Tsui, director of the transplant service at Papworth, said the operation on 9 June "went extremely well".
"Matthew has made an excellent recovery," he said.
"I expect him to go home very soon, being able to do a lot more than before the operation - with a vastly improved quality of life - until we can find a suitable donor heart for him to have a heart transplant."
Mr Green will leave Papworth with a backpack containing a 13.5lb (6kg) portable driver to power his new heart.
Papworth Hospital carries out 2,000 major heart operations a year - more than any other hospital in the UK. Its first heart transplant, in 1979, was a UK first and the hospital has been using mechanical devices to support patients with end-stage heart failure since the 1980s.
The Total Artificial Heart is a modern version of the Jarvik-7 artificial heart of the 1980s. In November, 1986, a patient received a Jarvik heart and was supported for two days before receiving a transplant.
It is understood that other patients with mechanical hearts have been sent home before, but never with both ventricles replaced.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "The NHS has a long and proud track record of innovation that has driven major improvements in patient care in the past.
"The success of this procedure at Papworth Hospital is an excellent example of how the NHS can continue to provide the best treatment and outcomes for its patients in the future."
Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said that for some patients, with severe heart failure, transplantation is their only hope of long-term survival, but donor hearts are not always available.
He added: "Patients with mechanical hearts must remain permanently linked to a power supply via tubes that pass through the skin, which is a potential source of infection.
"With this artificial heart, the power supply is small enough to fit in a shoulder bag so patients can walk around and go home."

Saudi billionaire to build world's tallest tower

A model of the tower, which will dominate the skyline of

Saudi Arabia's Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has teamed up with the Bin Laden Group in a grandiose project to build the world's tallest tower in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, outdoing Dubai's Burj al Khalifa, the current titleholder.

Click HERE to view graphic (72k jpg)

The proposed skyscraper, the Kingdom Tower, will soar more than a kilometre into the sky and take five years to build. It is the latest in a long line of glitzy mega-projects in the oil-rich Gulf countries that are as much about national and personal prestige as they are about showcasing their economic clout.

The tower, which will include luxury apartments, offices and a shopping centre, is thought to be the brainchild of the Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed, nephew of King Abdullah.

The prince, one of the world's wealthiest men, said yesterday that his company, Kingdom Holding Co, had signed a $1.2bn deal with the Bin Laden Co, a Saudi construction firm owned by the family of the slain terror chief Osama bin Laden, to build the tower on the outskirts of Jeddah.

The tower, designed by Chicago-based Adrian Smith & Gordon Gill Architecture, will if completed be the glimmering centrepiece of a $20bn new city that looks out over the Red Sea, as well as a prized trophy for its wealthy backers.

Currently, Dubai's Burj al Khalifa, which was completed last year, is the highest building in the world at 828m, with its nearest rival, the Taipei 101 in Taiwan, lagging some way behind at 509m. The eventual height of the Saudi tower is expected to soar substantially higher than 1,000m, but its backers are cagey about the exact scope.

In recent years, the Gulf states have embraced ever more grandiose and ambitious ventures such as man-made islands and luxury housing developments, even as the West looks at years of austerity. Such "prestige projects" have become synonymous with the region, at times masking more serious underlying economic problems.

Dubai unveiled the $1.5bn Burj al Khalifa last January even as its financial and real-estate markets were crumbling. Just months before, it had been forced to borrow cash from neighbouring emirate Abu Dhabi to deal with its deepening debt problems. In the end, Dubai paid a steep price for the bailout, naming the tower in honour of the president of the UAE, Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

For Saudi Arabia, the world's largest exporter of oil, the project will help the kingdom to diversify away from an energy-fuelled economy, putting Jeddah, the country's third-largest city, on the map, and encouraging much-needed investment. Amid uncertain economic climes, Prince Alwaleed said that the new project was intended to "send a message of strength".

"To a significant extent these types of projects are confidence and image-building measures," said Jarmo Kotilaine, chief economist at Jeddah-based National Commercial Bank. "They are used to enhance the identity of a city and to demonstrate a strong, booming economy."

But some question the purpose of continuing to build ever more elaborate skyscrapers in an era when architecture has evolved to allow designs that are arguably more interesting and innovative.

"It's a rather futile exercise to build taller and taller," said Rory Ocayto, deputy editor of Architects' Journal. "We know we can do it, but to what end?"

Unknown symptoms (and pain) of celiac disease

"Fatigue, weakness, joint pain and migraines are frequently overlooked as symptoms of the disorder"
Celiac disease is often thought of as a disease or allergy that is just gluten intolerance, but it is much more than that. People with celiac disease can’t have ANY gluten as the gluten damages their intestinal walls bit by bit, leading to severe and sometimes life-threatening complications.
Although as many as 300,000 Canadians suffer from celiac disease, many of them don't know it.
Celiac disease, a lifelong, genetically based disorder, occurs when gluten - a protein found in wheat, rye and barley - triggers an abnormal immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine interfering with the absorption of nutrients. Often the condition goes undiagnosed.
Experts commonly refer to it as an "iceberg" disease. Visible at the tip are individuals whose symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss and, in children, delayed growth. The rest of the iceberg consists of those with more subtle symptoms, such as bloating or excess gas. Although these may go unrecognized as signs of celiac disease, the damage continues.
While most people think celiac disease afflicts mainly children, it can occur at any age. In fact, two-thirds of those diagnosed are adults. Later in life, the disease can be triggered by pregnancy, surgery, gastrointestinal infection or severe emotional stress.
According to a 2007 survey of the Canadian Celiac Association's more than 5,000 members, the average time it took to get diagnosed was 12 years. Many respondents had consulted three or more doctors before getting their diagnosis.
While stomach pain, abdominal distention and diarrhea are considered the classic symptoms of celiac disease, in adults they're often not present. Constipation and bloating may be the only outward signs. Symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, joint pain and migraines - ones typically not recognized as gut-related - are commonly reported, and the diagnosis is often anemia, stress, irritable bowel syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome.
If left untreated, celiac disease increases the risk of osteoporosis (because of poor absorption of calcium and vitamin D), infertility, certain digestive tract cancers and other autoimmune disorders such as Type 1 diabetes and thyroid disease.
Screening tests that measure the level of antibodies in the blood are available. (People with celiac disease have higher than normal levels of antibodies to gluten.)
Health Canada recently approved the Biocard Celiac Test Kit, an at-home test that measures gluten antibodies from a fingertip blood sample. The Biocard is currently available in British Columbia and is expected to be available for $50 in pharmacies across the country by the end of this year.
A blood test, however, is only the first step in diagnosing celiac disease; it's used to detect people who are likely to have the condition. Confirming a diagnosis requires a small bowel biopsy in which an endoscope is passed through the mouth into the stomach and upper intestine so that the lining can be examined and a biopsy taken.
The only treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet for life. That means eliminating all foods and food ingredients made from wheat, rye and barley. Included in the wheat family are spelt, kamut, semolina, durum, einkorn and faro. The main sources of gluten are breads, cereals, crackers and pastas, but it's also found in luncheon meats, yogurt, seasonings, salad dressings, sauces, marinades, soy sauce, soups and beer.
Even if you think you are following a gluten-free diet, you may be unknowingly consuming gluten as a hidden ingredient in food products, medications or vitamin supplements. Ingredients to question or avoid include graham flour, malt, dextrin, modified food starch, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, MSG, emulsifiers, stabilizers, caramel colour and natural flavour.
Oats, previously on the list of gluten-containing foods to avoid, have now been given the green light for people with celiac disease. The Canadian Celiac Association maintains that eating pure, uncontaminated oats - up to ¾ cup dry oats a day for adults and ¼ cup for children - is safe.
The problem is that oats may become contaminated with other gluten-containing grains during processing. Pure, uncontaminated oats are trademarked "Pavena" to ensure accurate identification. Still, a small number of people may not be able to tolerate oats and should follow up with their doctor when adding them to a gluten-free diet.
(People with untreated celiac disease may also have difficulty digesting lactose in milk products. That problem usually disappears when gluten is removed from the diet, allowing the gut to heal.)
Today, it's getting easier to follow a gluten-free diet with the influx of products in supermarkets and natural food stores. Manufacturers of gluten-free products include El Peto, Glutino, Kinnikinnick, Enjoy Life, Kaybee, Rizopia and Tinkyada. And it's important to consult with a registered dietitian who can advise you on gluten-free alternatives and the need for vitamin and mineral supplements.
If you suspect you have celiac disease, don't put yourself on a gluten-free diet until you are properly diagnosed. If you do have the disease, the Canadian Celiac Association (celiac.ca) can provide more information and support.

Ronnie Brown, Eagles agree to deal

The Other Ryan Sounds Off

Skip Bayless, Rob Parker talk about Rob Ryan's statement about the EaglesTags: First Take, Skip Bayless, Rob Parker, Rob Ryan, Cowboys Defensive Coordinator

The Other Ryan Sounds Off

VIDEO PLAYLIST

• The Other Ryan Sounds Off

  The Other Ryan Sounds Off

  Skip Bayless, Rob Parker talk about Rob Ryan's statement about the EaglesTags: First Take, Skip Bayless, Rob Parker, Rob Ryan, Cowboys Defensive Coordinator
• Cowboys Rookies Must Earn Their Stars

  Cowboys Rookies Must Earn Their Stars

  PTI debates whether the Cowboys' motivational tools will workTags: dallas cowboys, pti
• Earn Your Stars

  Earn Your Stars

  The NFL Live crew debate the decision made by Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett on making the rookies earn the stars on their helmets.Tags: Dallas Cowoys, Jason Garrett
• Will 'Boys Bounce Back in 2011?

  Will 'Boys Bounce Back in 2011?

  Richard Durrett, Tim MacMahon, Pat Summerall and Jean-Jacques Taylor debate if the Cowboys will rebound this season to contend for the division title and a playoff berth in the NFCTags: Cowboys

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- The Eagles agreed to a one-year contract with veteran running back Ronnie Brown, who spent his first six seasons with the Dolphins.
The 29-year-old Brown rushed for 4,815 yards and 36 touchdowns and caught 184 passes for 1,491 yards with Miami. He ran for 1,000 yards in 2006 and made his only Pro Bowl team in 2008.

Graziano: Why Not Sign Brown?

The Eagles added another new toy Tuesday. ESPN.com's Dan Graziano says Ronnie Brown is heck of a third-down option. Blog
• Fantasy: Won't change McCoy's value
• Kreidler: Be wary of "Dream Team"

Brown is the seventh major acquisition the Eagles have made in the past week, along with defensive linemen Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins, cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha, offensive lineman Evan Mathis and quarterback Vince Young
Before adding Brown, the Eagles' only experienced running backs were starter LeSean McCoy, who ran for 1,080 yards and caught 70 passes last year, and Eldra Buckley, who has just 36 carries in two years with the Eagles.
"Ronnie is an all-around running back with a versatile skill set," general manager Howie Roseman said in a statement. "He can run the ball, catch it, and does very well in pass protection. He'll add some good size to our backfield and he's a good character guy. We think he'll be a tremendous compliment to LeSean [McCoy] and the other young backs on this team that we really like. You can never have enough good running backs in this league and we are happy to have Ronnie join us."
Brown was the second pick in the 2005 draft, behind 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.
Also, the Eagles also signed unrestricted free agent offensive tackle Ryan Harris to a one-year deal.
Harris spent his first four years with the Broncos, starting 34 games.
He was the Broncos' third-round pick in 2007 out of Notre Dame.
Right tackle is a question mark for the Eagles with Winston Justice, the starter the past two years, beginning training camp on the injured list with a knee injury.

NFL Transactions Analysis

ESPN.com's division bloggers react to all the big NFL free-agent signings and trades throughout the frenzied post-lockout period. Blog
• Insider: Instant analysis
• Scouts Inc.: Free-agent tracker

The Eagles have been using second-year undrafted free agent Austin Howard and seventh-round pick King Dunlap at right tackle in the early days of training camp.
Harris started 16 games in 2008, eight in 2009 and 10 last season. He played at Notre Dame with Eagles defensive linemen Victor Abiamiri and Trevor Laws.
Harris, like all other NFL free agents, is not permitted to practice with his new team until Thursday.
The Eagles also agreed to contract terms with veteran safety Jarrad Page on a one-year contract Tuesday evening.
Page played for the Patriots last season after spending his first four seasons with the Chiefs, who drafted him in the seventh round out of UCLA in 2006.
He has 12 interceptions in 63 games, 40 of them starts. Page's best season was 2008, when he had four interceptions, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and 62 tackles in 16 starts with Kansas City.
He played 10 games, starting one, with New England last season

Mozilla Admits Building 'Boot to Gecko' iOS, Android Competitor

Ready for something like Mozilla's Firefox on your mobile phone? Okay, you can already get that if you're an Android user. So how about something like Firefox running in its own Mozilla-crafted mobile operating space?
Heads up Apple and Google, it sounds like the company that wrapped a fox around a globe (and a browser around much of Microsoft's Internet Explorer market share) is throwing its hat (or would that be foxtail?) into the mobile operating system arena.
(PHOTOS: Top 10 Google Earth Finds: Firefox Crop Circles)
That's right, non-profit org Mozilla says it's building an open-source mobile OS, and—okay, forget the fox motif, and think Geico instead (except without the insurance company's involvement). Yep, Mozilla currently calls it "Boot to Gecko," or B2G. That's its codename, anyway, and it's derived from Mozilla's open-source "Gecko" layout engine, already used in several other Mozilla apps (including Firefox).
Will it really compete with the iPhone, Android and Microsoft's Windows Phone 7? That's what Mozilla researcher Andreas Gal's saying, claiming the company wants "to take a bigger step now, and find the gaps that keep web developers from being able to build apps that are—in every way—the equals of native apps built for the iPhone, Android, and WP7."
Fighting words, for sure. As are these (also from Gal):

Mozilla believes that the web can displace proprietary, single-vendor stacks for application development.  To make open web technologies a better basis for future applications on mobile and desktop alike, we need to keep pushing the envelope of the web to include—and in places exceed—the capabilities of the competing stacks in question...
To that end, we propose a project we're calling Boot to Gecko to pursue the goal of building a complete, standalone operating system for the open web. It's going to require work in a number of areas.

Mozilla says it wants to build new web APIs (prototypes that would expose devices to features related to telephony, including SMS, camera, USB, bluetooth, and NFC), craft a secure "privilege model" to appropriately contain said features, and even prototype "a low-level substrate for an Android-compatible device."
You can also expect the company to "do this work in the open," release the source code "in real-time," and run it all through a standards org, says Mozilla, assuring that "We aren't trying to have these native-grade apps just run on Firefox, we're trying to have them run on the web."
B2G's just getting started, of course—this isn't some super-secret project that's been in the offing for years, ergo the company's open-information angle from the get-go. Mozilla says it's talking about it now in particular because it wants to draft "expertise from all over Mozilla" as well as "from people who aren't yet part of Mozilla."
It'll be an uphill boulder-roll, for sure, but it's pretty cool to see a non-profit ramping up to take a swing at crafting a mobile OS that's ostensibly even less proprietary than Google's so-called "open-source" Android OS.