GNC Reformulates Acidophilus Products to Help Promote Digestive Tract Health -

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 160 million prescriptions are written for antibiotics in the United States each year. Used to kill bacteria that cause illnesses, antibiotics also destroy the "good" bacteria, such as acidophilus, that helps maintain a healthy digestive tract. With the winter upon us, and more and more people battling bacterial infections, it is important to also consider digestive health, which is why General Nutrition Centers, Inc. (GNC), the nation's largest specialty retailer of nutritional supplements, has reformulated its line of acidophilus products to promote digestive tract health.

"When people think of bacteria, they instinctually develop a negative image, but actually some bacteria, like those found in the digestive tract, are necessary to maintain good health," explained Dr. Susan Trimbo, senior vice president of scientific affairs at GNC. "Our new acidophilus products provide consumers with two to four billion live bacteria cells that help promote a healthy digestive tract."

Acidophilus is known as a probiotic bacteria, which means that it helps maintain a healthy digestive tract and supports healthy immune function. GNC's newly reformulated acidophilus products, Natural Brand(TM) Acidophilus 2 Billion CFU and Natural Brand(TM) Acidophilus 4 Billion CFU, incorporate a new BIO-tract(TM) technology, which allows the delivery of a greater number of live bacteria cells to pass through stomach acids and reach the digestive tract.

For more information or to locate the nearest GNC store, visit http://www.gnc.com .

GNC is the largest global specialty retailer of nutritional supplements, which includes vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements, sports nutrition products, diet and energy products and specialty supplements. GNC has more than 4,900 retail locations throughout the United States, including more than 1,300 domestic franchise locations, more than 1,000 store-within-a-store locations under its strategic alliance with Rite Aid and more than 800 locations in more than 35 foreign markets including Canada and Mexico.

General Nutrition Centers, Inc. http://www.gnc.com