Sunday, December 30, 2007
We all want to save money and buy at a discount. When it comes to treadmills getting the best value is particularly important when you consider the price. A treadmill can cost a small fortune. And if you are not sure it won't end up as an expensive clothes hanger, you want to be cautious on how much you spend.
Whether you buy online or in a retail store, you'll find just about any treadmill is marked down significantly from its list price. List prices have no basis in reality of the true value of the treadmill. It is no different than other products like cars, jewelry, furniture, etc. The problem becomes, what is the real value, and how does that compare to the discount price.
Having worked in the treadmill business for a number of years I know how companies manipulate the prices to give the illusion of value. You'll find some retailers suggesting their prices are reduced as much as 60%. That is absurd.
So how do you determine the true value of a treadmill, regardless of the discount price? By comparison shopping. There are three important factors to consider when buying a treadmill:
Treadmill Features and components
Warranty for both parts and service
Company reputation
Features and Components
Treadmills have a number of features and components that are found on models. Examples are the motor, deck, running service, incline, programs, console and rollers. By comparing the various components and features you can determine how one model compares to another.
For example, you may find a treadmill selling for $1,000 that has a 18"x 52" running surface, ¾" deck, 1.5 hp motor, 4 programs, 1 3/4" rollers, LCD console and weighs 150 lbs. You could find a treadmill at the same price with a 20"x 54" running surface, 1" deck, 2.5 hp motor, 7 programs, 2.5" rollers, LED console and weighs 200lbs. The numbers reveal that the second model is a much better buy.
Warranty
It should be noted that not all treadmill components are equal in quality. And the unfortunate truth about the treadmill industry is they tend to exaggerate on the specifications of the parts. One factor that reveals the true quality of the treadmill is the warranty. An extensive warranty suggests the treadmill is built to last. If it wasn't the company would go out of business with excessive repairs. When purchasing a treadmill look for a minimum 5 year motor, 2 year parts and 1 year service warranty.
Company Reputation
Another important factor in determining the value of a treadmill is the company reputation for quality and customer service. There is a good chance that once you purchase a treadmill you will either have some questions or you may need service. You want to purchase from a company that stands behind their machines, and is there when you need assistance. Check out some of the more popular shopping comparison sites for information on customer satisfaction. There are also a number of sites that review treadmills, including www.treadmill-ratings-reviews.com, www.treadmilldoctor.com and www.consumerreports.org.
So ignore the discount price, which is nothing more than marketing hype. Follow the recommendations above and you will determine the true value of a treadmill.
How Can SAMe Supplements Benefit Me?
What is SAMe?
SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) is a naturally occurring compound found in all human tissue and organs. It is a "building block" necessary for the production of many compounds produced by your body, and is used in over 35 different biochemical reactions. SAMe actually donates a part of itself to form these new compounds through a process called methylation or transmethylation. SAME is one of the few dietary supplements on the market today that combines the benefits of several nutrients into one, because the body uses the substances produced from SAMe for numerous bodily reactions and processes.
SAMe is a supplement formed in the body by an enzymatic reaction between adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) and methionine. It was discovered in 1952 in Italy and has been researched and manufactured there. SAMe works closely with folic acid and vitamin B-12 and functions as a methyl donor. This nutrient carries and donates methyl molecules necessary to facilitate the manufacture of DNA and brain neurotransmitters.* Tissue levels of SAMe are typically low in the elderly.
How can SAMe help me?
SAMe might be an effective treatment for depression, with fewer side effects than antidepressant drugs. But the real benefits and risks of SAMe are still unclear. In theory, it may increase the risk of heart disease. People with depression or joint pain should seek medical advice before trying SAMe. Supplementation with SAM-e increases levels of serotonin, dopamine and phosphatides, and improves serotonin and dopamine receptor site binding. Some research has shown that SAM-e provides relief from arthritis pain, without the stomach irritation caused by aspirin and similar drugs.
Are there any side effects associated with SAMe supplementation?
SAMe is a very safe dietary supplement. Minor side effects include nausea and gastrointestinal irritation, due to its sulfur content. These were only noted at very high doses (1200-1600mg) and symptoms diminished with continued use. Persons suffering from manic depression (bipolar disorder) should not take SAMe without prior consultation with their physician. If you experience any of the symptoms above for an extended period of time, you may be allergic to SAMe, or it may not be the right supplement for you.
Benefits
• treatment for depression
• improves serotonin and dopamine levels
• relief from arthritis pain
Chester is a health nutrition consultant and is the owner of www.AstroNutrition.com - a provider of premium health nutrition and sports supplements.
New fears over safety of children's medicines
Safety fears have been highlighted by significant differences in the way children's bodies deal with medications when compared with adults. According to recent research, proteins crucial to the activity of medicines behave quite differently in kids. The proteins are enzymes acting as biochemical catalysts.
Depending on how they work, they can make a medication successful, useless, or toxic. The new study discovered that some enzymes known to share regulatory mechanisms in adults emerge to employ different ones in growing kids.
Researchers also discovered a period of higher-than-normal variability for some enzymes within the first 3 to 6 months after birth, which suggests that activity of these proteins can differ considerably among individual children at this sensitive time.
Professor Ronald Hines, from the Medical College of Wisconsin in the United States, said: "The dramatic changes observed in enzyme expression must be considered when examining issues of drug effectiveness and safety during early life stages. Additional research is necessary to understand how these significant changes are regulated, and the molecular basis for differences among individuals, to better predict drug and toxicant responses in children."
The findings were demonstrated at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in St Louis, Missouri. A key discovery related to the oxidative enzyme CYP3A4. Kids of one or two had only 20% to 50% of adult activity levels of this protein.
In contrast, almost 50% of kids had nearly adult levels of another important enzyme, CYP2C9, at or near birth. Another enzyme called SULT2A1 was low or absent in the foetus during the first 3 months of pregnancy, highly variable in the first 4 months of life, and rose gradually to adult values by age one.
Online Pharmacy - PharmacyCenter.org is the online drugstore for FDA approved prescription medications by means of FREE online Internet consultation. Our offer includes most popular medicines available through online ordering.
Paul Douglas
This article was reprinted from PharmacyCenter.org health blog.
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