Get Fit, Feel Great With GNC PUREDGE™ Line of Whole-Food-Based Supplements

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With the average U.S. diet falling short of USDA's MyPlate recommendations for three major food groups — vegetables, dairy and fruit¹, the need to fill dietary gaps and properly fuel fitness with whole-food-based supplements is apparent. Now, GNC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNC), the nation's largest specialty retailer of health-and-wellness products, makes it easy for Americans to supplement their healthy eating while boosting their workouts and invigorating their day with its whole-food-based GNC PUREDGE™ line of health, wellness and performance supplements.

Available nationwide in GNC stores and at GNC.com, the GNC PUREDGE line currently features quality whole-food-based ingredients, and each GNC PUREDGE supplement contains no artificial additives, colors or sweeteners, no GMO²-added ingredients and no gluten-added ingredients:

• a powdered protein formula for muscle health and antioxidant protection with a whole-food blend of fruits and vegetables, including zucchini, blueberry and sweet potato powders;
• a gluten-free line of protein bars to provide a convenient power boost featuring flax and chia;
• a daily energy powdered formula to invigorate and boost workouts with a whole-food blend of grape seed extract, beet root powder and watermelon fruit and rind extract; and,
• an amino acid powdered formula to protect and fuel the body for the stressors of an active lifestyle that uses a real fruit blend for antioxidant protection.

GNC PUREDGE powdered supplements are available in refreshing flavors that can easily be added to cold water or a favorite beverage to enjoy either daily or pre-workout. The protein bars are also available in satisfying flavors for on-the-go lifestyles.  

The GNC PUREDGE supplement line comes as more Americans want to take steps to get healthier but may need a little help squeezing their efforts into a daily routine. According to The Futures Company, nearly 73 percent of Americans are trying to take better care of their health today than just a few years ago. However, nearly half (49 percent) also find that other things tend to take a priority.³

Following is more information on the products:

Protein for advanced performance 

GNC PUREDGE Complete Protein powdered supplement is an advanced performance formula that supports vital, core body systems responsible for maintaining muscle health, while supplying daily nutritional needs and functional antioxidant protection. The whole-food-based, 20g protein blend provides one full serving of fruits and veggies, and includes more than 5g of amino acids to support muscles and muscle recovery. Complete Protein is available in two delicious flavors including Natural Chocolate and Natural Berry.

GNC PUREDGE Complete Protein whole-food-based bars with flax and chia provide 20g of protein, 15g of fiber, 6g net carbs and 4g of sugar. Gluten-free with no banned substances, the bars have no preservatives, no wheat, yeast, fish or egg; no sugar alcohols and no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners. Complete Protein bars are available in two favorite flavors including Banana Nut Bread and Peanut Butter Cookie Dough. The bars are available individually or in boxes of eight.

Energy to give a healthy boost to the day 

The GNC PUREDGE Energy powdered supplement formula combines quality carbohydrates with clinically studied ingredients, potent herbal teas, and fruit and vegetable extracts to provide immediate energy while on the go — whether you strive to beat your own physical record or give your day a healthy boost. Used pre-workout, its naturally energizing ingredients provide antioxidant support and sustained endurance. The Energy formula is available in refreshing Natural Cherry Limeade and Natural Watermelon flavors.   

Amino acids to protect, repair and fuel muscles

GNC PUREDGE Complete Amino powdered supplement formula is a direct source of branched chain amino acids that protect, repair and fuel muscles. Packed with natural fruit and vegetable extracts, additional amino acids and clinically proven ingredients to provide daily support for the body's major systems, the whole-food-based formula offers 10g of essential amino acids. Complete Amino is available in Natural Strawberry Watermelon and Natural Tropical Punch flavors, making it a great-tasting solution for anytime replenishment.    

"Whether you need to refuel your muscles after a great workout, support your health with a daily nutritional shake, or satisfy your hunger with a nutritious snack, all ingredients in GNC PUREDGE products work together for you, ensuring your body has the right combination of nutrients it needs to help you feel great and perform at your personal best," said Rachel Jones, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., director of research and development, at GNC.

Healthy, functional benefits powered by nature and science

The GNC PUREDGE line is based on a scientific foundation, with active flavoring ingredients that go beyond delicious taste to deliver healthy, functional benefits. The GNC Functional Flavor System uses whole food ingredients to support, fuel and protect cells that enable the body to perform at its best. Each GNC PUREDGE supplement contains no preservatives, no GMO⁴-added ingredients, no wheat, yeast, fish or egg, no sugar alcohols and no gluten-added ingredients.

Each of the protein, energy and antioxidant products is tested and certified as substance-free, contains no artificial additives, and undergoes rigorous quality checks for raw materials, purity and potency. The formulas are based on a scientific foundation, and with our Functional Flavor System, every ingredient has a purpose to help meet health and wellness goals.

For more information about GNC PUREDGE products, visit GNC.com. 

¹ USDA, Economic Research Service, Loss-Adjusted Food Availability Data

² These products are tested by an independent third party lab for genetically modified material and test below a 0.9% threshold

³ "From Mindless to Mindful: Health & Wellness 2015," The Futures Company, July 2013

⁴ These products are tested by an independent third party lab for genetically modified material and test below a 0.9% threshold

About GNC

GNC Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, is a leading global specialty retailer of health and wellness products - including vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplement products, sports nutrition products and diet products - and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "GNC."

The Company has a diversified, multi-channel business model and derives revenue from product sales through company-owned retail stores, domestic and international franchise activities, third party contract manufacturing, e-commerce and corporate partnerships. GNC's broad and deep product mix, which is focused on premium, value-added nutritional products, is sold under GNC proprietary brands, including Mega Men®, Ultra Mega®, Total Lean^TM, Pro Performance® AMP, Beyond Raw®, GNC Puredge^TM, GNC GenetixHD®, Herbal Plus® and under nationally recognized third party brands. As of September 30, 2014, GNC has more than 8,800 locations, of which more than 6,500 retail locations are in the United States (including 1,063 franchise and 2,258 Rite Aid franchise store-within-a-store locations) and franchise operations in more than 50 countries (including distribution centers where retail sales are made).

Contact: Meredith Kish, [email protected], (212) 494-8687  

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SOURCE GNC Holdings, Inc.