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COCHLEAR IMPLANT: Who needs it? How does it help (part 2)
COCHLEAR IMPLANT: Who needs it? How does it help? This is part 2 in the Cochlear implant series and you can read the first part here.
Cochlear implants appeared rather gimmicky when they first arrived. With misconceptions around its use, most people were apprehensive. Even doctors were doubtful. It promised everything, would it deliver?
What were the fears with a cochlear implant?
*It can’t help, if you are born hearing challenged.
*It doesn’t help in speech development.
*It will make the child alienated.
*It’s no good for old people with hearing problems.
So what are the answers? Read on.
The Story from deaf to hearing, is it magic?
Cochlear implants started in the second half of the 1980s.
Riddled by misconceptions and hype it was handicapped by the need for really motivated children and parents.
But like all life-changing things, the cochlear implant stood the test of time with flying colors.
Children who were helped by a cochlear implant make us smile.
They tell us how they hear. How do they understand speech? It’s through their words that we learned about life, from no sound to a noisy world.
Who does it help?
- Children
- Post-lingual deafness in all age groups
- Old people with profound age-related hearing loss.
- In Auditory Dys-synchrony
Cochlear Implant in Children
Postlingually deaf children.Children who have already developed speech and have lost hearing due to some disease like meningitis.
Best Age of cochlear implantation: before two and a half years. But it has been done as early as one year of age.
7 years is a watershed zone, after which Prelingual deafness has variable results.
The longer the child has an implant, the better is the speech recognition scores. When the duration of use of the implant is the same, results are better with a lower age of implantation. The rate of expressive and receptive language learning is similar to that of hearing children.
Role of cochlear implant in presbycusis
Presbycusis or age-related hearing loss is also helped with cochlear implantation. It’s useful for the elderly with profound hearing loss, which cannot be helped with a hearing aid.
A world without sound can be lonely. More so in the aged population.
10% of normal ganglion cells ( approx.3500 cells ) are needed to recognize and understand speech.
The successful hearing outcome is seen with useful hearing. This helps in the hearing rehabilitation of the aged.
Depression, anxiety, and social isolation in both elderly and people with decreased hearing make life more difficult.
Some criteria:
Pure tone audiometry(hearing test) of 70 decibels or more for those planning for implantation in children and adults.
Cochlear implant in Auditory Dys-synchrony
You must be wondering”Auditory what”?
Auditory neuropathy or auditory dys-synchrony is complex. Children have variable hearing abilities.
What do Tests show in Auditory Dys-synchrony?
Normal middle ear functions, otoacoustic emissions present. But Brainstem evoked response Audiometry is unresponsive. This means sounds pass from outside to the ear up to the nerve of hearing, like a hearing person. But the communication between this nerve and the brain is distorted. The sound reaches the brain scrambled and makes no sense.
Why does this happen?
The sensory cochlear hair cells responsible for firing electrical signals in response to sound, do so dys-synchronously. That’s random without the syncing needed for understanding the generated sound.
Plain English: the rhythm of the electrical firing, is not right for your brain to pick up as words.
The action potential doesn’t develop properly in the cochlear nerve. This causes hearing loss. This is variable depending on. the degree of dys-synchrony.
Initially believed that hearing aids and auditory amplification would be useless. But some children benefit from hearing aids too.
Cochlear implantation can restore synchrony by, by-passing cochlear hair cells and stimulating the auditory nerve directly and synchronously.
The theory is good. But research continues for strategizing treatment, in Auditory Dys-synchrony. Whether a cochlear implant will help in auditory dys-synchrony is decided case to case.
The next burning question:
1 implant or 2 implants: One ear or both ears?
With 2 implants pros:
Better speech understanding.
This is more obvious in a noisy environment. Better sound localization, the direction of sound detection possible only with hearing in both ears.
Cons of 2 bilateral implants:
Most importantly the cost.
The dedication required for several years of necessary post-implant speech training and follow-up. It’s definitely not easy.
Where do we stand now?
Some governments cover the cost.
Few individuals can afford the cost of the best grade of the implant for both ears.
The government is realizing the cost of the implant is value for money. It is less than the years of disability support a person will need.
In children should you use up both ears?
Over the years as technology improves, maybe they’ll be better options?
Should you give up the present for the future many questions still need answers
Can there be a significant bilateral vestibular injury?
With excellent imaging, experienced surgeon, and God’s blessing this is rare.
Is it cost-effective?
The benefits outweigh the potential harm for many cochlear implant candidates. Like with all new medical innovations, it’s a long journey to perfection. We are still far from perfect in this cochlear implant journey. But we are far ahead than 10 years back. Light years away from 50 years back.Where there was no hope…There smiles a child with a cochlear implant who is hearing.
Updated May 2022
Cochlear Implant: What you need to know(Part 1)
Cochlear Implant: Who needs it? ( Part2)
Mompreneur biz focus:Upasana and Life through my bioscope
When I started writing
about mompreneurs blogging
journey it was to share what I learned
as a blogger.
But the best way to learn is probably
from other bloggers.That’s when I
decided to bug my blogger friends for
tips .
All of us have different strengths and
different responsibilities.
Our struggles too are different .
What unites us, is our want to do
something more.
Maybe this is a chance to make a bit
of us, digitally immortal.
When I look back I want to be happy
that at least I tried.
Tried writing, tried blogging,tried
making time and place ,non factors
in a struggling life.
Aren’t we all fighting our own battles.
I found Upasana in the now famous
#MyFriendAlexa campaign.
She is an IT professional and is a full time working blogger mom.
Plus she loves DIY projects.
Let’s learn from Upasana today
Tell me the story behind your blog
I always loved to write my
experiences but never thought of
sharing it. After my son was born, I
started reading parenting and other
inspiring articles online.
That is when Blog writing idea got a spark.
Being a new mother, I started sharing
my parenting experiences. My
writings are not limited to parenting
but other Life experiences related to
Travel, Career, Blogging and more.
Problems at the personal front
helped me to grow as a person. I am
continuously working on self-
improvement and sharing my stories
along with.
Who fo you write for ?
Being a multi-niche Blogger, my
audience would be anyone who love
to read the experiences and stories.
I write what I learn and love to share
my learnings in easy and friendly way.
I write for other new parents who
seek help online providing honest
and true information based on my
experience.
I write for people who believe
“Learning never stops”.
Your inspiration
My inspiration are people close to
me who appreciate my writings and
other Bloggers who read, comment
and never fail to amaze me with their
words.
Worth mentioning, Strong and
determined women always boost me
up.
Your favourite quote
There are many favorites but yes, one line that I believe in:
“It’s better to start early and it’s never too late.”
3 tips & Your message for struggling mompreneurs
-
Make everyday worthwhile. Learn something everyday which can take you near to your goals.
-
Be Patient. Do not let others to knock you down .Be persistent and you will definitely gather the appreciation one day.
-
Do something to leave a Legacy. There is something unique about each one of us. Embrace it and polish it so that when it’s time to bid farewell to this world, there is something good you are leaving behind.
Checkout my DIY activities and other
tales. You can subscribe here.
What’s your future plan?
I have started a series of posts on
the daily lives of Bloggers. Its
interesting to know each other better.
I have few plans for next year where I
will engage in more DIY/Crafts.So
stay tuned!
Are you involved in any charitable causes
Yes, but charity does not need a name. I do it at least twice a year.
Tell us a little bit about your family.Who is your biggest support?
I have a younger Brother who is
always loving and smiling. Loving
parents and In-laws who supports
me through all thick and thin. Caring
husband and a loving kid makes me
feel blessed. My biggest support is
my mother who gives wings to my
dreams and most importantly,
believe in me.
Short bio
I am a full time working professional
who like to greet her loved ones by
handmade greeting cards. I believe in
hard work and love to learn
something new each day. I upcycle
things at Home and strongly
recommend DIY for all Mothers.
Fb page link
https://www.facebook.com/lifethroughmybioscope
I am taking part in the #ubc
#blogboost Ultimate blogging challenge with Blogchatter
#DailyChatter
#UBC Day 15
Biz focus series you will love
Jaibala Rao spellbinding storyteller :Mompreneur’s biz focus
Biz focus :Mayuri ,sirimiri,blogger and tarot card reader
Mompreneur’s biz focus :Deepa the kreativemommy
Mompreneur Tina Basu :Bloggingjourney & biz
Mompreneur biz focus:Mayura Amarkant the soothsayer
Mompreneur Biz focus :Jewellery making & Basudha’s Hoimonti
Mompreneur Biz focus:Nilanjana and Cue Math
Ashwini Dodani MBA cum poet: Blogging journey and entrepreneurship
Instacuppa Fruit Infuser water bottle (Review) #SuperBloggerchallenge
Drinking water should be an easy habit in the hot Indian summer, right?It would seem so.But most of us forget to take this miracle liquid in the right amount. Instacuppa Fruit infuser water bottle may be the answer to a prayer.
The reason may be because it’s tasteless,at least regular water is tasteless.Both children and adult have a problem with drinking more water even though its good for us.
Is fruit infused water good for you?
Even as a doctor I am guilty of forgetting to drink enough water especially on busy days.That’s where the Instacuppa fruit infusion water bottle helped me.I love my sliced cucumber infusion water.Ginger, lemon and basil water or lime, lemon and mint water.The refreshing nature of the simple infusion water makes drinking water easier.
If you haven’t read it yet, read my post on why water is good for you or watch the vlog below.
Till then I will tell you a few secrets about drinking more water
[bctt tweet=”Your metabolic rate increases after drinking water! #Instacuppa #SuperBloggerChallenge #Healthwealthbridge ” username=”misra_amrita”]
There are studies done, which says the increase happens after 30 minutes and can be as much as 30%.
[bctt tweet=”For every 500 ml water, you drink you expend 100KJ.Thats so cool! #Instacuppa #SuperBloggerChallenge2018 #Healthwealthbrige” username=”misra_amrita”]
Right? If you want a healthy body weight, and reduce those extras try carrying your own infusion water bottle around.It’s easy, tasty, healthy, no fuss and the best way to get those nutrients into your body.Research says that walking and having lemon water every day helps you not only in reducing weight but acts to lower your systolic blood pressure in hypertensive adults.
Infusion water is a great way to get those fruit and veggie nutrients in your body and that of your family.When I wrote my book Fruits for life nutrition secrets (part 1) (its free today get it now !) that’s when I started having infusion water.
While you know fruits are great for you, in the busy bee life, you tend to miss many of the things which are good for you. Incorporating fruits and vegetables as a part of my diet by various methods is my lifelong pursuit.
Can you make detox water in a plastic bottle?
When I first used infusion water it was a simple one. Only cucumber and water. The wonderful fresh flavor of the water made drinking easier. When a bottle of water finish, I just ate the cucumber slices no fuss, no mess simple! This I made in a glass bottle and never a plastic bottle.
What is the best fruit infused water bottle?
The problem was when I am traveling or when I visit the hospital that’s when I discovered the Instacuppa fruit infusion water bottle.It is amazing I can carry it anywhere making my water intake much easier.
At home, I use the Instacuppa thermos flask.
It’s easy to use.
Even if you are not a frequent water drinker, with this you won’t miss your daily water goals.
When your bottle is empty, just eat the fruit pieces.You don’t want to waste food right?
Infused water is flavored with the goodness of fruits.
The more processed something is, the more sugar it has, the worse it is for your body.
When you use infusion water, you get the water-soluble vitamins, minerals and none of the sugar overload.
What you should be careful about
- Try to use only fresh fruits and veggies
- Avoid adding sugar or salt or any kind of sweeteners
2 simple infusion water recipes I love
Few slices of cucumber ice cubes + water
2 lemon slices and water.
Have you tried fruit infusion water? Comment below to let me know.
Week 4 Voting
Week 3 voting opens
WEEK 6 LINK SUBMIT HERE
Mompreneur’s blogging journey :7 Social media hacks to save time(part 8)
Tweet,pinned?
Stumbled,shared?
Did I miss something?
When you are a mom with 31 things to do in 24 hours (of which 6 you probably should be sleeping) being”social ” is hair tearingly difficult.
“Write and they will come ” is great if it’s a hobby.Not so if you are planning a biz around it.Also even for a hobby you would like to help people right?
How will you help if your readers can’t find you?
The internet is with a shocking 1 billion (and more) websites .Do you want to leave it to chance,that your readers will find you.
Even if you have the whole day to spend on Facebook, do you want to?
What about blogging being fun?
What happens when you are travelling?
When there are festivals,can you tweet and pin throughout the day?
What about poor internet connectivity?
Maybe your server has some work being done.
If you can’t automate it .You are a slave to it.That’s the harsh truth!
If you are not an e-commerce giant or don’t have a blogging Godfather, it’s unlikely that you are willing to spend money on ads just yet.
Now we have a problem!
Your wants :
- You want people to find and read what you write (totally change their lives)
- Don’t want to spend money on ads and VA’s?
- Don’t have hours to spend on social media.
But you want to become wildly successful .
Yes that’s what I want too. That’s why I have read every social media hacks I could over the past 2 years.Since I really hate repeatedly doing the same activity(except reading Enid Blyton and Agatha Christie) ,I love automation tools.
If you are a mom you are already an expert on the impossible.
If not,maybe the following tools could help you.
1)Buffer
Great tool to schedule your blog posts by date and time.
Plus it is linked to all the primary social channels.
Con:The free plan is a tad limited.
Solution?
This is buffer on jet fuel.
Create a content library of all your post links.
Don’t tick the box saying schedule till.
This will go on.New readers will find your awesome content.The best part.Once a post is tweeted /posted,it is automatically sent to the end of the queueand will only be posted after all the others.
Great right?
Easy to set up and you just update the library.
Con:Right now only 2 social channels integrated twitter and Facebook.
3) IFTT
What IFTT can do ?
It can basically loop all your social media posts to make your life easier.
Check this post out.
The recipes I use:
- Instagram pics post to facebook and twitter.
- Tweets with specific hashtags to be collected in a seperate google spreadsheet.
- Make a spreadsheet of posts saved in pocket
- Backup starred Gmail automatically to Evernote
4)Evernote
Can anyone stop talking about this tool?
I save links,whole articles,images bills,my Lybrate answers,blog post drafts and ideas everything here.
The best part you can share a link to your doc over Gmail.
5)Google Drive. Back up everything.Use IFTT recipes to sync your tweets and social posts to Google spreadsheets.
Can be synced across devices .Plus you can share documents .You can make seperate folders for different things.Access them anywhere .
6)Goolgle Doc:
Quickly make PDF E-books as content upgrades to your posts.
Make the #blogchatter community a part of your social media campaign and watch how your blog stats change.
I first started taking part in blogging challenges in July 2016.
My Alexa rank, social media followers changed drastically after the # MyFriend Alexa campaign.
Pinterest and Stumbleupon are some of my favourite social media sites.I don’t use automation here.Since I enjoy the activity.Who doesn’t like”researching “on Pinterest.
Also stumbleupon is temperamental and I haven’t found reliable tips to automate it.
What are your favourite tips for automating social media?
Comment below to let me know.
Other posts you will love:
Mompreneur who inspires Part 1
Mompreneur who inspires and helps Part 2
SPI PRO Theme and Blog design:Mompreneur’s blogging journey and miracles(Part4)
Mompreneurs Blogging Journey(part 3)
7 Secrets to blogging as biz (for beginner mompreneurs)
Mompreneur’s blogging journey :Keyword hacks when you don’t have time(part 7)
Filling the Gap with GNC #FillingTheGap
Filling the Gap with GNC came just in time.
The problems of modern life are largely related to lifestyle.
The quality of food you eat, water your drink, exercise and sleep all go hand in hand.You depend on your meals, to give you the essential nutrients to keep your brain working and body fit enough to fight diseases.
But do you know that the food we end up eating, after traveling over large distance undergo many changes?This largely destroys their nutrient quotients.Fruits and veggies often lose many of their micronutrient treasures due to storage time and condition of storage.
But what can you do?
What should you do?
Should you wait for the Government to help?
Start your own organic farm?Start community gardening?
Maybe think of shifting to the outskirts of the city and start farming with help?
If none of this is an immediate solution, you need to be healthy and active to take the next steps of making the world a better place.Till then GNC can help you
In today’s hectic life getting the right kind of food for a balanced diet it’s very important and can be difficult at the same time. Busy people even with the best intention can’t always get a balanced and healthy diet.One of my favorite topics is planning to get more nutrient-rich food on to our dining table. But it’s not easy.
When you think about it deeply, you know little about the food that you eat.
Do you know where your food comes from?The fruits veggies meat eggs milk?
Is your food frozen?
Is it raw or processed?
What if you can’t get fresh food?
How long does Frozen Food keep its nutritional value?If all these questions worry you , this is a must-read.
The GNC event #Fillingthegap #Livewell
On Feb 28, 2018 ,GNC (General Nutrition Centre) a leading global specialty health, wellness, and nutraceuticals brand in association with Guardian Healthcare told us about their vision for India.
Globally, GNC is a multi-billion dollar brand.It has franchise operations in about 50 countries and 9000 locations.
GNC Retail expansion vision in India includes:
Making their nutraceuticals available at more than 4000 Stores by 2020.Definitely in all Metros and Tier 1 Towns.They also plan to set up a manufacturing unit in India by April 2018
Indian nutraceuticals market to grow at 21% from $4 billion to $10 billion by 2022 .
GNC unveils #Fillingthegap campaign to propagate scientific approach to fulfilling nutrition intake; raises awareness to highlight benefits of complete nutrition.
In India, Guardian Healthcare Services Pvt Ltd. is the sole reseller for GNC with exclusive distribution and marketing rights. Founded by Mr. Ashutosh Taparia, who has over two decades of expertise in healthcare, Guardian has a vision of establishing a thought leadership position in Indian nutraceuticals market. GNC products are now available online on the e-commerce portals as well as at the retail outlets of Guardian Healthcare and other pharma outlets . GNC range to be available at 4000 stores across all Metros & Tier 1 towns by 2020. GNC to foray into pharma stores,modern trade and nutrition stores with a comprehensive range of protein, vitamins and supplements.
The new health and Nutrition Awareness campaign
GNC India launched a new health & nutrition awareness campaign called #Fillingthegaps.
Owing to people’s hectic lifestyle, the consumers lack the required nutritional elements that are essential to lead a healthy life. It becomes difficult, especially for vegetarians to obtain the necessary nutrients through their meal.
Hence, the three main nutrients Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Fats that are to be consumed according to their energy generating hierarchy is largely missed.
To combat these issues, the campaign aims to raise awareness about the gaps that exist in people’s daily nutrition intake. Additionally, it aims to highlight the importance of filling these gaps with the right solutions in order to lead a healthy life.
Based on scientifically verifiable facts, the campaign aims to highlight various requirements in daily essentials and the need to supplement everyday diets with health and supplementation in proteins, vitamins, omega3, and probiotics.
There was a panel discussion at the event.
Eminent personalities graced the event with their presence.
U-19 cricket sensation Mr. Manjot Kalra, Apollo Hospitals Chief Dietician Ms.Anita and Apollo Hospitals Senior Consultant on Cardiovascular Surgery Dr.Mukesh Goel and Mr.Shadab Khan, CEO GNC India.
The topic of discussion by the eminent panel:
The panel spoke about the need for additional nutrition intake.Besides regular food, you need help to make up the nutritional gap caused due to the poor quality of modern food.
They shed their insights on the rise in serious health issues today.A mix of various factors like hectic and sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy dietary habits and inadequate nutrition.
The nutrient composition of the fruits and vegetables we eat is substandard due to poor soil quality and long travel times. As a result, the food we eat fails to offer the nutrition that our body needs.
The panel agreed that a balanced diet combined with regular, consistent, age and physical status proper physical activity is the need of the hour. Nutrient-rich food with right supplementation is the need of the day.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shadab Khan, CEO, GNC India, said,
Taking into account the hectic lifestyle of the Indian consumer, maintaining a balanced diet becomes very difficult. This leads to a gap in nutrition and thus they do not attain the essential nutrients. Hence, the campaign #Fillingthegap aims at educating the consumers about the benefits of complete nutrition and the significance of adequate nutrition .
GNC believes in bridging the gap which appears in your diet due to inadequate nutrition in-take. The concept of nutraceuticals is new in India.But there is a lot of interest regarding including them for a complete nutritional intake.
Ms. Anita Jatana, Chief Dietician, Apollo Hospital, said, “
Owing to the hectic work schedule of the typical working professional they hardly get any time to eat on time and most importantly eat right.
They largely depend on fast food and processed food since it is easy and convenient. Thus, they lack the adequate amount of nutrition needed for a healthy living. Also these days the food that we consume is not enough from a nutrition point of view.
Therefore a combination of a stressful lifestyle, physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary patterns and most importantly food adulteration eventually lead to the occurrence of chronic diseases. Therefore choosing the right food and consumption of vital nutrients is of paramount importance. Thus, subsequently recognizing potential gaps and using appropriate foods and dietary supplements is essential to lead a healthy life. A balanced diet combined with physical activity can help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and will thereby promote the overall health.”
Commenting on the launch, Dr. Mukesh Goel Senior Consultant Cardiovascular Surgery, Apollo Hospital,
“Lifestyle diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, obesity etc, are a result of physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet. Heart attacks have become a common phenomenon across India. There has, without doubt, been a marked increase in the number of young patients suffering from heart attacks. Hence it is extremely important to pay attention to what we eat .Additionally saturated and transfats increase blood cholesterol and heart attack rates. Therefore one can include intake of micronutrients especially, omega in their daily diet which has been shown beneficial for heart health, regulate cholesterol & triglycerides and lessen the incidence of heart disease & fatal events. To add to this endurance training is known to maintain optimal values of cholesterol in the body. This coupled with the right balance of vital nutritional elements in the diet like proteins, vitamins, fibre, carbohydrates along with dietary supplements is crucial to leading a healthy life. The key to good health is to eat judiciously and to be active at all times.”
Commenting on #Fillingthegaps campaign, Mr.Manjot Kalra, U-19 player Indian cricket team, said,
“Nutrition needs vary from sport-to-sport, but eating right is key to enhancing an athlete’s performance. I believe as a young athlete it is important to bridge the gap between regular intake and what the body actually needs when you are working out. With gaps in nutrition habits amongst Indians and as a country which aspires to become a sporting nation, essential nutritional elements such as proteins, multivitamins, omegas and probiotics are essential. Whether as a professional athlete or a person who believes in living well and healthy, scientific understanding and a balance of activity and nutrition is of utmost importance.”
GNC is creating awareness towards a scientific and evidence based approach toward a healthy lifestyle, by avoiding nutritional gaps and meeting the essential macronutrient and micronutrient needs for health and wellness.
With the aim to promote the concept of Live well GNC offers a range of premium nutriceutical products to make healthy lifestyle achievable for all.
The best part is they extend their quality commitment to you by offering a money-back guarantee on all GNC products.
Aout GNC LiveWell™
GNC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNC), headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA is a leading global specialty health, wellness and performance retailer. GNC is the world’s largest company of its kind devoted exclusively to helping its customers improve the quality of their lives.
GNC offers a premium assortment of health, wellness and performance products, including protein, performance supplements, weight management supplements, vitamins, herbs and greens and wellness supplements.
The Company’s foundation is built on 80 years of superior product quality and innovation. From scientific research and new product discovery to the manufacturing and packaging processes, GNC takes pride in taking a rigorous approach to ensuring quality.
GNC has more than 9,000 locations, of which more than 6,700 retail locations are in the United States and franchise operations in approximately 50 countries. GNC has over 75 stores in India, served by qualified nutritionists and knowledgeable nutritional advisors.
About Guardian Healthcare Services Pvt Ltd
Guardian Healthcare Services Pvt. Ltd. is India’s fastest growing chain of Health, Wellness and Beauty stores with over 75 stores in India. Staying true to its customer promise of being “100% Reliable”, Guardian is committed to selling only 100% genuine medicines and OTC products. Its pharmacies enjoy the enviable position of being “The Chemists India trusts”.
Guardian Healthcare aim to provide a cure, care and convenience to its customers. Each of its pharmacies is manned by qualified and highly trained pharmacists who advise patients on their health and wellness.
Guardian has been honored as the “Most Admired Retailer” of the Year (2010) in Healthcare and Lifecare category at the India Retail Forum. The brand has also won the ‘Reid & Taylor Retail Excellence Award’ in Beauty, Wellness and Fitness Category and Images Beauty & Wellness Awards (2012) in the category of Beauty Products Retailer of the year.
Guardian Healthcare is also the master franchisee for GNC LiveWell™ in India, with exclusive distribution and marketing rights.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post about the #FillingtheGap event by GNC.Read my full disclaimer.