ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Oct. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT), the global healthcare company and producer of the number one doctor-recommended brand of oral nutrition supplements, is launching Ensure Complete.

Ensure Complete shakes offer 4-in-1 nutrition that provides targeted muscle, heart, immune system, and bone support to help meet adults' daily dietary needs.  Available in chocolate and vanilla flavors, Ensure Complete shakes are suitable for gluten-free and lactose intolerant diets.^[1]

Ensure Complete shakes feature Abbott's proprietary ingredient, Revigor^®, a source of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), an amino-acid metabolite, and 13 grams of protein to help protect, preserve and promote muscle health. Revigor, in combination with protein, can help rebuild muscle by helping to stabilize muscle cells and slowing protein breakdown while promoting the production of new muscle tissue.

Ensure Complete also has omega 3's to support heart health[2], prebiotics[3] and antioxidants (vitamins C, E and Selenium) to support the immune system, and calcium and vitamin D for bone support.

News Facts:

• Starting at age 40, the body may begin to lose eight percent of its muscle per decade, which can affect people's strength to do things they enjoy. Both Ensure Complete and Ensure Muscle Health shakes feature Revigor and can help adults meet their muscle health goals.
• Ensure Complete provides 24 essential vitamins and minerals, along with 350 calories to help gain or maintain a healthy weight when a normal diet may not be enough.
• Ensure Complete is also formulated to support four key areas:
  • Muscle: Revigor and 13 grams of protein to help maintain lean body mass
  • Heart: omega 3's - 610-650 mg of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids a-linolenic acids (ALA) to help support heart health
  • Immune: prebiotics (3 grams of fiber) for digestive tract benefits; and antioxidants C, E, & Selenium, for immune system support
  • Bone: calcium and vitamin D to promote bone health

Commentary on Ensure Complete:

From Christine Steele, Ph.D., Director, Science, Innovation & Education, Research and Development, Abbott:
"It's not always possible to get all the nutrients needed through a typical diet and complete nutrition is important, particularly as someone is recovering from a health setback.  To provide nutritional support for adults, Abbott introduced Ensure Complete as a good source of nutrition to help meet dietary needs by contributing to muscle, heart, immune system, and bone health.  This 4-in-1 nutrition also makes Ensure Complete a great option for helping adults stay active and strong as they age."

Where to Buy Ensure Complete:
Ensure Complete nutrition shakes are available in four-packs of 8-fluid-ounce bottles for a suggested retail price of $9.99.  Sold in two flavor varieties, vanilla and chocolate, it can be purchased nationwide at pharmacies, grocery stores, drug stores and mass merchandisers, or online at www.AbbottStore.com.

About Ensure
Ensure nutrition shakes and drinks help to support a variety of nutritional needs including muscle, immune system and overall health to help adults stay active and energized.  Full nutrition information is available at www.ensure.com.

About Abbott Nutrition
For more than 85 years, Abbott Nutrition has been developing and marketing science-based nutritional products to support the growth, health and wellness of people of all ages.  Internationally recognized brands include the Similac^® brand of infant formulas; the Gain^® brand of growing-up milks; the PediaSure^® line of nutritionals for children; and the Ensure^® brand of complete and balanced nutrition for adults.

The company is a leader in nutritional products clinically shown to address the distinct dietary needs of people with serious health conditions or special nutrient requirements, such as the Glucerna^® brand of nutrition shakes and bars for people with diabetes.

Abbott Nutrition also offers EAS^® specialized products to meet the unique nutritional needs of athletes, as well as ZonePerfect^® nutrition bars for busy, active lifestyles. More information about Abbott Nutrition's products is available at www.AbbottNutrition.com.

About Abbott
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs approximately 91,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's web site at www.abbott.com.

Related Links:

• Visit Ensure.com for product information and healthy living tips: http://ensure.com
• Find coupons and promotions at: http://ensure.com/coupons-samples-promotions
• Talk to a nutritionist: http://ensure.com/ask-a-nutritionist
• Choose the right Ensure product for you: http://ensure.com/products

[1] Not for individuals with galactosemia
[2] 610-650 mg of plant-based omega-3 fatty acid ALA
[3] To help promote digestive tract health

SOURCE Abbott