Research is Key When Buying a Treadmill Check Out the Best Treadmill Ratings and Reviews Online!

A home treadmill offers many advantages ? just imagine, no more waiting in line at the gym or worrying about what other people think of your clothes! But choosing from the extensive range of treadmills can be a daunting task, so it pays to do your homework. A treadmill is a long term investment in your health, not just a fad until you forget your new years resolutions and good intentions!

It you are serious about making a positive change in your life, buying a treadmill can be a major step in the right direction to help you achieve your goals. First of all, define your aims and expectations, and consider the fitness needs of all the users in your household. Then calculate your budget ? there?s no point buying a fancy piece of equipment that you can?t afford. Get online and compare treadmill reviews and ratings of models in your price range.

There are several things to bear in mind when finding the best treadmill for you. It?s always advisable to choose a reputable company with a proven track record in the fitness industry. Look out for those that supply commercial treadmills to gyms, as their products are likely to be high quality. A specialized fitness equipment store should have knowledgeable staff that can offer useful advice, as well as offering a good standard of customer service. Remember to ask what the warranty covers. Most home treadmills have lifetime warranties on the frame. Find out what parts are covered, especially the motor, deck, belt and electronic components. As a guide, you should be looking for a minimum of 1 ?3 years warranty.

Check to see if there is sufficient evidence of research to back up the manufacturers grand advertising claims. For example, shock absorption is a key factor when choosing a treadmill, so look at the science behind the cushioning system offered by manufacturers. Safety features are essential, such as built in heart rate monitoring and warm up/cool down periods. Comfort is important too ? look for well designed handrails or grips. Ideally a home treadmill should be low maintenance. A bigger motor isn?t necessarily better ? a 2.0 continuous duty HP motor should be sufficient for most users, with an efficient cooling system to prolong the life of components. A reversible deck can be a good choice, as this can effectively double the lifespan of the machine.

Electronic features can be overwhelming, so make a note of what is important to you personally. What will motivate you to stick at it? Personalized user IDs can be really useful, as they can store records of previous workouts. A fitness test facility can be handy to measure progress and set targets. Pre-set programming can help prevent boredom by introducing some variation into your daily workout. In general, a console that is easy to read and is simple to operate with just a few buttons, preferably with a ?quick start? feature is a good choice.

A home treadmill offers a convenient, safe and reliable way to increase your fitness levels and keep you looking and feeling great! Doing your research to find the best treadmill can have fantastic results!

Caroline Smith is a successful freelance writer and regular contributor to http://www.treadmill-reviews-ratings.com your one stop source for finding the best, impartial treadmill ratings and treadmill reviews. Kickstart your fitness goals with the best selection of home treadmills at discount prices.

Recognize Breast Cancer Symptoms

The figures concerning breast cancer are alarming. One woman in every nine will get breast cancer at some point in her life. There are more than 212,000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the USA each year. In Canada the figure is about 20,500, Australia 13,000 and in UK the figure is over 41,000. It doesn?t matter if you are a mature women or a young girl in your teens. It is important for all females to know the symptoms of this dreaded disease.

Who is at risk?

Breast cancer is overwhelmingly a female disease, but rarely a few men are also affected. It becomes more common in women as age increases. Over 80% of the cases occur in women over the age of 50. Other risk factors include:

-taking an oral contraceptive pill
-having hormone replacement therapy
-obesity and/or high fat diets
-one or more relatives who have had breast cancer
-alcohol use

Early detection is very important

Currently, six out of every seven patients diagnosed with breast cancer are cured at an early stage. However, if they are diagnosed when the cancer has become advanced, the cure rate falls to about one in seven. It is extremely important to catch breast cancer at an early stage. Knowing the symptoms is crucial.

Common symptoms of breast cancer

Usually, early breast cancer does not cause pain. As a matter of fact, when breast cancer first develops, there may be no symptoms at all. As the cancer grows and spreads, it can cause changes that women should watch for.

Here are few symptoms one should be aware of:

-Itching in the armpit or around the breast region.
-Pink, red, or dark colored area (called erythematic) with texture similar to the skin of an orange (called peau d'orange).
-Ridges and thickened areas of the skin of nipple or breast.
-Appearance of a bruise that does not go away.
-Nipple getting inverted.
-Breast is warm to the touch.
-Pain in the breast (from a constant ache to stabbing pains).
-Change in texture as well as color of the aureole.
-Change in the shape or size of a breast.
-Dimpling of the breast skin.
-Swelling or a lump in the armpit.
-A discharge from the nipple.

On noticing any of these changes, a woman should see her doctor. However, there is no need to panic. Most often, it is not cancer. Many conditions can cause symptoms listed above. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.

Dennis Hardy is a senior writer for the Health-Articles-Online.com website. For more articles from this author, please visit http://www.Health-Articles-Online.com

Avian Flu Virus

About the Avian Flu Virus

The current Asian outbreak of avian flu, also known as bird flu, is associated with the influenza A strain H5N1 flu virus. Although not the same as the Spanish flu virus that claimed 20 million to 50 million lives worldwide in the 1918 outbreak, the current avian flu strain does share many characteristics with the 1918 strain. Both scientists and governments around the world are studying this threat very closely and some have warned of the potential for another pandemic outbreak. Initial studies have shown that Tamiflu may be effective in helping to fight the effects of this flu virus if the medication is taken very early after flu symptoms appear.

Oseltamivir, sold under the brand name Tamiflu, is one of several antiviral medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment and prevention of influenza. Flu shots are still the best way to prevent someone from developing the flu, but as of this writing no vaccine is available to protect humans from the avian H5N1 influenza virus. According to the CDC, development of a vaccine has begun.

Tamiflu, which is generically known as oseltamivir, is part of a family of flu fighting medicines called neuraminidase inhibitors. Tamilflu is used in the treatment of viral infections caused by the influenza A and influenza B viruses. This treatment has shown to be effective in fighting these viruses if treatment starts within two days of the onset of flu symptoms. Tamiflu works by blocking the advance of the viral infection and thus giving the body?s immune system a better chance for fighting the virus. Tamiflu can help you get back to being healthy fast

for more information visit http://www.consumersdiscountrx.com/thaparm/products/tamiflu

Manik Thapar

http://www.careerpath.cc

Autism Society of America ? An Advocacy Organization I Believe In

Autism Society of America ? An Advocacy Organization I Believe In

Autism is a dreaded disease without a cure. Most of the time, and especially in its popular Hollywood depictions, it is treated as if it inflicts only those with a divine gift for performing incredible feats of memory, like the famous Rain Man played by Dustin Hoffman.

Although it is true that some autistic children and adults do display such incredible intellectual feats, my own humble experience has shown me that actually it is a very painful and stressful disease for all concerned. I wish there was a cure for it and that's why I try to support all organizations that work towards that goal.

One such organization I am familiar with is the Autism Society of America, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.

Formed some 40 years ago, ASA has a wide reaching public awareness and education program. Their official magazine Autism Advocate is a top-notch publication deserves praise.

As an advocacy organization, ASA supported the Mercury Free Vaccine Act of 2005 in order to prevent the ethyl mercury's (found in in thimersal) debilitating effects on fetuses and young kids.

ASA also supported the ?Combating Autism Act? of 2005 which doubled the NIH funds to press on with autism research.

Another ASA activity that should be mentioned is the popular annual ?Ticket to Ride? event where Harley riders hit the road to raise awareness and precious funds for autism research.

?If you don't like the way the world is, you change it. You just do it one step at a time,? said Marian Wright Edelman, the president and founder of the Children's Defense Fund. ASA is doing precisely that, in my opinion.

Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a Creative Copywriter, Editor, an experienced and award-winning Senior Technical Communicator specializing in fundraising packages, direct sales copy, web content, press releases, movie reviews and hi-tech documentation. He has worked as a Technical Writer for Fortune 100 corporations since 1999.

He is the editor of PRIVATE TUTOR FOR SAT MATH SUCCESS web site http://www.privatetutor.us

In addition to being an Ezine Articles Expert Author, he is also a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), and a Member of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI).

A true movie fan since he was a child, Akinci provides FREE MOVIE PLOT IDEAS every day of the year at SCRIPT BOILER. Visit http://scriptboiler.blogspot.com today.

You are most welcomed to visit his COPYWRITING WEB SITE http://www.writer111.com for more information on his multidisciplinary background, writing career, and client testimonials.

Discount Vitamins Online and Buying Precautions

Discount vitamins online ordering can be easy, efficient and cost-effective. However, there are certain precautions to take. In fact, whether you order discount vitamins online or buy in a store, cheaper is likely not better! Here are some considerations when buying discount vitamins on the internet:

? Does the online store value your privacy and confidentiality? Is their privacy policy available to read if you'd like to see it? Be sure your email address won?t be sold and they will maintain your personal details in the strictest privacy.

? How long have they been in business? You may feel more comfortable with an online store that has been in business for some years.

? Does the discount vitamins online store have a way to contact them? Legitimate companies will make it easy to contact them in several ways.

? What if you?re unhappy with your purchase -- do they have a refund policy? A refund policy of at least 30 days is great and even longer is better. If there?s no refund policy, stay away.

As for the products, keep in mind that vitamin manufacturers are not regulated. Since buying discount vitamins online is about your health, pay attention to finding the best value, not just the cheapest price. Buying discount vitamins online presents many possibilities, but in general, you'll get what you pay for.

Discount vitamins are a poor value when they consist of cheaper, lower quality ingredients and will not include other beneficial nutrients known to provide major health benefits. These kinds of discount vitamins tend to use high quantities of cheaper ingredients, which can even lead to an unhealthy imbalance of nutrients. In the case of nutrients, more is not always better. And the cheapest part of nutritional supplements are the vitamin and minerals.

When buying discount vitamins online, try to feel comfortable with answers to these questions:

1. Is the price low because cheap, inferior ingredients are used? There can be huge differences in the quality and costs of individual ingredients. Since your health is the issue, priority should be given to quality since the final product is only as good as the raw ingredients used. For example, most beta carotene used in supplements is synthetic and contains only about 3% beta carotene that costs about $60 per kg. However, a much more effective higher potency 98% natural beta carotene costs about $2,800 per kg. The more effective natural form of Vitamin E d-alpha tocopheryl succinate costs more than the synthetic version called dl-alpha tocopheryl.

2. Does the manufacturer conform to pharmaceutical standards in their manufacturing processes? Very few manufacturers do so. High-volume discount manufacturers can cut costs by shortening the mixing time and by mixing at higher speeds. This can mean that the product must be tableted harder, which can result in a vitamin that will be more difficult to dissolve and may pass right through your system unused.

3. Besides basic vitamins and minerals, does the discount vitamins online product contain other essential nutrients that your body needs? Your body requires and will use a wide array of anti-aging nutrients -- amino acids such as L-Carnosine, alpha lipoic acid and acetyl L-Carnitine plus antioxidants, bioflavanoids, neuronutrients, certain herbal extracts, enzymes and so on. And these nutrients have to be in the correct proportions to each other.

There ARE manufacturers designing and making supplements available online that provide high quality at very reasonable prices. There is one in particular that uses pharmaceutical grade ingredients, many supported by clinical studies. Ingredients are linked to the related clinical studies on their website. Their multivitamin/nutrients supplement is so complete, you can eliminate having to take numerous supplements individually.

Buying quality discount vitamins online is about improved health and energy, freedom from disease, improved sexual vigor and slowing the aging process. Learn as much as you can about what finding the best discount vitamins online really means. Before you spend your money, be informed about the nutrients and substances you'll be putting into your body every day.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Read more about the best vitamins for women and vitamins for men. David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com a website of natural health information and resources.

Childhood Depression: What to Do if Your Child is Depressed

Like adults, children can suffer from depression, in this case: childhood depression. It?s not uncommon and since children actually are the purest of humans, it might be safe to say if a child is depressed-and they actually tell you that-it?s a rather serious issue.

One of the most common misconceptions about childhood depression is:what do children have to be depressed about?. Perhaps this reveals a few misunderstandings about childhood depression and what it is. It is indeed quite similar to clinical depression-borrowing from medical terminology and is not just down moods resulting from a child being ?depressed? cause they have just been punished or have been told they can?t have something. No, childhood depression is more intrusive into the child?s very existence, may be long-lasting and if not attended to life threatening.

Perhaps another misconception may have to do with us thinking, being a child is a care-free, trouble free stage of human life. Not necessarily, with peer acceptance, school and family expectations, it is enough to make a kid worry and could be a huge factor to be considered in regards to dealing with a case of childhood depression.

Childhood Depression: Common Causes

1. Family History of Mental illness or suicide.

2. Abuse (physical, emotional or sexual).

3. Chronic illnesses.

4. Loss of a parent at an early age to death, divorce or abandonment.

5. Improper diet and lack of sufficient exercise.

6. Excessive exposure to negative factors such as parents arguing, bad neighborhoods etc.

7. Insufficient parental attention.

Though this is not a conclusive list of the causes of depression in children, perhaps these factors are the most common ones.

Childhood Depression: Common Symptoms

1. Loss of interest in hobbies and activities

2. Abrupt change in Appetite

3. Change in sleep patterns (either increase or decrease)

4. Difficulty concentrating

5. Making depreciating statements like ?I?m not good enough, I?m stupid??

6. Persistent Sadness

7. Recurring thoughts of Suicide

8. Excessive clinging or withdrawal

If you notice any of these in your child?s behaviour it may be time to seek help. But, keep in mind, the first step may be a good heart to heart talk with your child.

Reconnect with them. Make plans for a getaway saying things like ?How about you and I go to the park, just the two of us eh??. Now seize this time to carefully see what could be the problem.

Also, borrowing from Yoga principles (Natural Healing as well), now will be a good time to assess your entire families diet. Remember, ?you are what you eat?. Diet plays, perhaps the most important role in one?s health, especially children in their growing stages so all efforts should be made to ?pleasantly? enforce a proper diet. You may not have to work too hard, most kids LOVE bananas and other sweet fruits and fresh juices. Vegetables?maybe not so much, but you get my gist. Try to replace processed foods with healthier ones.

Take time out to be there for your child or at least be conscious of who he or she is around the most. Remember children are wonderful imitators.

If you yourself happen to be depressed, I recommend drug-free alternatives such as Yoga, and the previously mentioned proper eating.

Also, look into fasting albeit it short as this works wonders for restoring your emotional balance as result of the body not being taxed with the duties of digestion, assimilation and re-building. Your mind clears and all moroseness disappears and consequently, you tend to find the answers to the problems warranting a treatment for depression in the first place. Keep in mind though; this radical step is suited only for adults not necessarily for kids.

Devote thirty minutes or more a day for open air recreation for yourself and your family. Visits to the zoo, active play, and swimming tend to relieve tension created in the home, school, and work and this may go a long way in assisting in curing childhood depression in the family.

Make efforts yourself to be cheerful as much as possible as kids do mimic what their parents constantly do.

Finally, if you are of a spiritual inclination, try prayer power and introduce your child to it. Hey, the Man did say: ?Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.? I believe a child connected to God is one sure way of preventing childhood depression. (Of course with the factors previously mentioned.)

Parenting or being a role model to a child is a duty that may be tasking at times, even more say when dealing with a depressed child. However with the suggestions given, if tackled properly, childhood depression need not be a thing your kid has to go through.

In friendship,

Foras Aje is an independent health researcher and founder of Bodyhealthsoul.com. For more information on Depression Treatment, feel free to stop by his website today.

Mysteries of Syndrome X Revealed

?I?ve put on 40 pounds in one year!? ?It doesn?t matter how much I workout, I can?t lose weight.? ?My doctor must think I?m eating pizzas in the closet.?

With nearly 4 million Americans weighing in at over 300 pounds, is it any wonder the above cries are heard each and every day by countless frustrated people who can?t lose weight? One such cause for the ever increasing need to buy larger pants is a disease known as Syndrome X.

Syndrome X is also referred to as Metabolic Syndrome, Metabolic Syndrome X and Insulin Resistance. It is a very common disease; however it is widely overlooked by many medical professionals. One statistic reveals 1 in 3 people suffer from it.

This syndrome is a precursor to developing Diabetes Type 2. Sufferers have a high level of insulin. Their bodies are unable to process all the insulin that is being made from their diet. As a result, they become insulin resistant.

Think of it like this: You knock on someone?s door because you want to come in. If they don?t answer, what normally happens? You knock again, right? Sometimes you may even knock a third time, trying to gain entry. Insulin works in the same manner. The pancreas produces insulin (knock). Some foods cause the body to produce even higher levels of insulin (knock again). Once you become insulin resistant, develop Syndrome X, the body is unable to properly process the glucose, therefore the pancreas tries to make up for it by producing even more insulin. It thinks ?no one is home? and just keeps making more.

The main purpose of glucose is to be used as fuel for the cells in the body to produce energy. Unprocessed glucose translates into fat. If the body keeps making it and it?s not being processed, where does it go? Hips, thighs, stomach, and buttocks, that?s where!

In addition to hypertension and heart disease, elevated insulin may be associated with weight gain and difficulty with weight loss, other blood sugar problems such as hypoglycemia, and some menstrual related imbalances.

Genetics is partially responsible for causing this disease. More likely though is lifestyle. In many cases years of high starch, processed foods, simple sugars, lack of exercise, smoking, and increased stress may be the culprit for Metabolic Syndrome X.

Now what? For starters, start exercising today. Increase water intake and totally omit starches, sugars, processed foods from your diet. Limit or omit caffeine. Try to maintain at least one third of your daily food intake to vegetables. Ask your doctor to test your sugar levels. Change what you?re eating and get walking and you?ll be amazed at the pounds start to fall off. The fatigue and fuzziness will start to disappear and in turn you?ll feel much better.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.