To support teens who do not get enough calcium, McNeil Nutritionals, Fort Washington, PA, has introduced Viactiv for Teens Calcium Soft Chews. According to the company, the National Academy of Sciences recommends that girls ages nine to 18 consume 1300 mg of calcium per day. But to aid in calcium absorption, these girls also need adequate vitamin D daily. While these nutrients are readily found in four 8-ounces servings of milk, McNeil says, milk consumption (much like calcium intake) is at its lowest during the teenage years. And 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.

Touted as a new portable, great tasting, chewable calcium supplement that provides needed calcium and suits the active lifestyle of pre-teen and teenage girls, the chews contain 500 mg of calcium, 200 IU of vitamin D and 40 mcg of vitamin K. They are currently available in Fudge Brownie flavor.