New, First Of-Its-Kind VIACTIV® For Teens Helps Calcium-Deficient Girls "Bone Up"

A startling nine out of 10 teenage girls between the ages of 12-19 do not get enough calcium from diet alone1. 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 girls ages nine to 18 consume 1,300 mg of calcium per day2. To aid in calcium absorption, these girls also need adequate Vitamin D daily. These nutrients are readily found in four eight-ounces servings of milk, but milk consumption, much like calcium intake, is at its lowest during the teenage years3.


"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.


About VIACTIV®


VIACTIV® Calcium Soft Chews and VIACTIV® Multi-Vitamin Soft Chews are marketed by McNeil Nutritionals, LLC. VIACTIV® products are a key part of a woman's active lifestyle. VIACTIV® Calcium and Multi-Vitamin Soft Chews provide convenient, great-tasting ways for women to supplement a healthy diet and help them obtain the recommended amount of key vitamins and calcium each day. More information is available at viactiv.


About McNeil Nutritionals, LLC


McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, is a global marketer of innovative nutritional products. The company's mission is to give people the ability to actively manage their own health. McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, markets SPLENDA® (sucralose) No Calorie Sweetener, SPLENDA® Sugar Blend, SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend, SPLENDA® QUICK PACK™ No Calorie Sweetener Pouches, SPLENDA® Flavor Blends for Coffee, VIACTIV® Calcium Soft Chews, VIACTIV® Multi-Vitamin Soft Chews, VIACTIV® for Teens Calcium Soft Chews, LACTAID® Milk and Dietary Supplements and BENECOL® Spreads. McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, is headquartered in Fort Washington, PA.


1 2004 National Dairy Council; eatsmart/client_images/gd20052171417501.pdf


2 "Vitamin D and calcium: strong bones for life through better nutrition," Contemporary Pediatrics, March 2003.


3 Greer FR, Krebs NF. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition. Optimizing bone health and calcium intake of infants, children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2006 Feb;117(2):578-85.


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