New, First of-Its-Kind VIACTIV(R) for Teens Helps Calcium-Deficient Girls 'Bone Up'

    FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- A startling nine out of
 ten teenage girls between the ages of 12 and 19 do not get enough calcium
 from diet alone(1). 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(R) 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(2). 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(3).
     "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(R) 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(R) 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(R) 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.
     About VIACTIV(R)
     VIACTIV(R) Calcium Soft Chews and VIACTIV(R) Multi-Vitamin Soft Chews
 are marketed by McNeil Nutritionals, LLC. VIACTIV(R) Products are a key
 part of a woman's active lifestyle. VIACTIV(R) 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 www.viactiv.com.
     About McNeil Nutritionals
     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(R) No
 Calorie Sweetener, SPLENDA(R) Sugar Blend, SPLENDA(R) Brown Sugar Blend,
 SPLENDA(R) QUICK PACK(TM) No Calorie Sweetener Pouches, SPLENDA(R) Flavor
 Blends for Coffee, VIACTIV(R) Calcium Soft Chews, VIACTIV(R) Multi-Vitamin
 Soft Chews, VIACTIV(R) for Teens Calcium Soft Chews, LACTAID(R) Milk and
 Dietary Supplements, and BENECOL(R) Spreads. McNeil Nutritionals, LLC is
 headquartered in Fort Washington, PA.
     Media Contacts:
     Sherri Satalof                           Whitney MacDonald
     McNeil Nutritionals, LLC                 RF|Binder Partners
     (215) 273-7449                           212-994-7547
     ssatalof@mcnus.jnj.com                   whitney.macdonald@rfbinder.com
 
 
     (1) 2004 National Dairy Council;
         http://www.eatsmart.org/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
 
 

SOURCE McNeil Nutritionals, LLC