GNC Live Well Launch

I have written magazine and newspaper articles on health in the past and interviewed a lot of experts on nutrition. One thing I've learned is that many individuals no longer get all the nutrients they need from the foods they eat due to factors such as an unbalanced diets, the lifestyle maintained, and even certain medical conditions. These are why some people are advised to take supplements to "fill-in" nutritional gaps.

How do you choose your vitamins and supplements? Are you easily convinced by TV commercials or print ads of products endorsed by celebrities? Or do you consult your doctor first before taking any? Where do you buy such products?

Last Sunday, I was invited to the GNC Live Well Launch at the Alabang Town Center and was surprised at the wide range of products they are offering. They have nutritional supplements from vitamins, minerals, and herbs to beauty, preventive, nutrition, diet, and weight management products for every individual, health condition, and lifestyle.

I was further impressed when I found out that they have a resident medical consultant, Dr. Victor Vesuna, who was available to answer questions guests have on the safety and efficacy of the products in the store.

I browsed the shelves and saw several items that I'd like my kids and I to try like the chewable vitamins for children and teens, and the women's nutrition line. I plan to come back to the store in the coming days when I have more time to deliberate on my choices.

In the meantime, here's sharing with you several things you may want to know about GNC:

1. GNC performs 150 quality checks on their products. This practice is unique in the sense that the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t require this much frequency in checking. Whether they are manufacturing a single bottle of vitamin C or a comprehensive multiple with over 40 ingredients, GNC asserts that every product shares the same quality values.

2. Every GNC product is covered by a Money Back Guarantee. If you are not satisfied for any reason, simply bring the unused portion of your purchase with your receipt for a full refund. No questions asked.

3. Most GNC stores now feature free nutrition information via HealthNotes Online. These consumer-friendly interactive programs give you access to the latest nutritional research on over 200 ingredients and a variety of health concerns.

4.GNC’s advisory board is made up of specialists in their respective fields such as physicians, professors, botanists, nutritionists, etc.

5. GNC offers a wide selection of products in the following categories: Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Ginseng, Aromatherapy, Herbs, Sports Nutrition, Personal Care, Children & Teen Health.

6. Although not required by law, GNC tests every product formulation for full potency, and even puts the testing methods right on the label. In fact, they require that all ingredients shipped to their manufacturing facility have a Certificate of Analysis confirming their properties.

7. Freshness matters, that's why all GNC labels are stamped with a "best by" date, guaranteeing the contents are fresh and potent at the time of purchase.

8. GNC has truthful labels as packaging for each of their brand product has recently been redesigned to improve the quality of information available to make informed purchase choices.

9. GNC have been in the forefront of product innovation that they guarantee if they have not heard of a product yet, chances are, it has not been invented.

Know exactly what you're putting in, or on, your body. Be informed and only buy products from reliable sources.