McNeil Nutritionals Launches VIACTIV for Calcium-Deficient Teens

13/10/06 A startling nine out of ten teenage girls between the ages of 12 and 19 do not get enough calcium from diet alone. Since nearly half of all bone mass is formed during teenage years, it is important these girls supplement their diet with calcium to support growth of healthy bones. Today, McNeil Nutritionals, LLC introduces VIACTIV for Teens Calcium Soft Chews, a new portable, great tasting, chewable calcium supplement that provides needed calcium and suits the active lifestyle of pre-teen and teenage girls.

The National Academy of Sciences recommends that girls ages nine to eighteen consume 1,300 mg of calcium per day. To aid in calcium absorption, these girls also need adequate Vitamin D daily. These nutrients are readily found in four 8-ounces servings of milk, but milk consumption, much like calcium intake, is at its lowest during the teenage years.

"Getting recommended amounts of calcium is a critical health need for teenage girls in order to reduce their risk of developing bone-specific diseases, such as osteoporosis, later in life," said registered dietitian Maureen Conway, Director of Nutrition Services, McNeil Nutritionals, LLC. "VIACTIV for Teens Calcium Soft Chews helps to address this critical need by providing a great tasting option that helps teenage girls obtain their recommended daily intake of calcium and Vitamin D."

Each VIACTIV for Teens Calcium Soft Chew contains:

-- 500 mg of calcium
-- 200 IU of Vitamin D to aid in calcium absorption and bone metabolism
-- 40 mcg of Vitamin K for help in the body's formation of bone proteins
-- 20 calories and 0.5 grams of fat

VIACTIV for Teens Calcium Soft Chews, in Fudge Brownie flavor, are now available in the vitamin/mineral supplement sections at food, drug and mass retail outlets nationwide. Each canister contains 60 individually-wrapped soft chews for a suggested retail price of $7.99.