PITTSBURGH, April 10 /PRNewswire/ --

Pittsburgh-based General Nutrition Centers (GNC) opened its doors at Pittsburgh International Airport's AIRMALL(R), BAA Pittsburgh Inc. announced today. The new 600-square-foot nutrition headquarters resides at the entrance of Concourse A. Pittsburgh

GNC is devoted to encouraging a healthy lifestyle focused on diet, nutrition and fitness. The store stocks multi-vitamins, nutritional supplements, diet plans, sport drinks, energy bars, and fitness publications. In addition to familiar health and fitness labels -- TwinLab, EAS, MET-Rx and Balance, GNC takes great pride in its own line of products. Each GNC brand item, from a complex multi-vitamin to a simple Vitamin C tablet, must go through a series of 150 quality and safety checks before it receives approval -- higher standards than the FDA requires.

Among the most popular offerings at the airport shop, GNC counts Mega Men(R) and Women's Ultra Mega(R) dietary supplements and Xenadrine RFA-1 weight loss supplements. Travelers can also pick up mini-massagers, vitamin travel cases or Smart Pillows to ensure a comfortable flight. Most of all, GNC says, the new AIRMALL(R) location offers convenience. "We give customers the supplements they need while traveling. We can reach more people here," states Tom Steger, GNC Regional Sales Director. GNC AIRMALL(R) Assistant Manager Jeff Dobo adds, "We have everything you need to keep healthy!"

AIRMALL(R) patrons can spot remedies for travel-related symptoms at GNC: Motion sickness may be lessened with the herb Ginger, sleeplessness calmed with Valerian Root, sinus infections improved with Echinacea, and anxiety eased with Kava. Weary travelers can aid fatigue with Licorice Root or Asian Ginseng. One of GNC's newest products, ENADAlert(R), was created to combat the negative side effects of jet lag on the central nervous system -- without caffeine or other stimulants. Clinical tests for this natural remedy were actually performed on adults taking a red-eye flight across country.

Originally named Lackzoom, the first GNC was established in Pittsburgh in 1935 by David Shakarian. The little health food shop specialized in yogurt but sold honey, grains and "health sandwiches." Even though health food was thought to be a passing fad during this time, Shakarian's store was hugely popular. His first day's earnings totaled only $35 and within six months he was able to open a second Pittsburgh shop. As more people began to embrace the concept of natural foods and better nutrition, Shakarian's business expanded with five additional stores in the area. Eventually, GNC branched out into other states and the name was changed to General Nutrition Centers. Today GNC operates more than 4,200 retail outlets throughout the United States and 26 foreign markets.

GNC's AIRMALL(R) location is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The store offers the GNC Gold Card Club for frequent buyers, entitling them to monthly discounts and free health periodicals. For more information, contact GNC at 412-472-5984.

BAA Pittsburgh, Inc. leases, manages and operates the AIRMALL(R) at the Pittsburgh International Airport. With over 100,000 square feet and 100 shops and restaurants the AIRMALL(R) is among the largest, most successful airport shopping complexes in the United States. It has earned awards for delivering quality retail in an airport setting. For information, call 1-800-ITS-FAIR.