NOTE: This table presents Estimated Average Requirements (EARs), which serve two purposes: they are used to assess the adequacy of population intakes and as the basis for calculation of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for individuals for those nutrients. EARs have not been established for vitamin D, vitamin K, pantothenic acid, biotin, choline, calcium, chromium, fluoride, manganese, or other nutrients not yet evaluated by the DRI process. CHO = carbohydrates; g/day = grams per day; mg/day = milligrams per day; μg/d = micrograms per day.

As retinol activity equivalents (RAEs). 1 RAE = 1 µg retinol, 12 µg β-carotene, 24 µg α-carotene, or 24 μg-βcryptoxanthin. The RAE for dietary provitamin A carotenoids is two-fold greater than retinol equivalents (RE), whereas the RAE for preformed vitamin A is the same as RE.

As α-tocopherol. α-Tocopherol includes RRR-α-tocopherol, the only form of α-tocopherol that occurs naturally in foods, and the 2R-stereoisomeric forms of α-tocopherol (RRR-, RSR-, RRS-, and RSS-α-tocopherol) that occur in fortified foods and supplements. It does not include the 2S-stereoisomeric forms of α-tocopherol (SRR-, SSR-, SRS-, and SSS-α-tocopherol), also found in fortified foods and supplements.

As niacin equivalents; 1mg of niacin = 60mg of tryptophan.

As dietary folate equivalents (DFE); 1 DFE = 1 µg food folate = 0.6 µg of folic acid from fortified food or as a supplement consumed with food = 0.5 µg of a supplement taken on an empty stomach.

SOURCE: IOM, 2006.

NOTE: This table presents Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) in boldface type and Adequate Intakes (AIs) in ordinary type followed by an asterisk. RDAs and AIs may both be used as goals for individual intakes. An RDA is set to meet the needs of almost all (97 to 98 percent) individuals in a group. It is calculated from an Estimated Average Requirement (EAR). If sufficient scientific evidence is not available to establish an EAR and, thus, to calculate an RDA, an AI is usually developed. For healthy breast-fed infants, the AI is the mean intake. The AI for other life-stage and gender groups is believed to cover the needs of all individuals in the group, but a lack of data or uncertainty in the data prevent the percentage of individuals covered by this intake from being able to be specified with confidence. mg/day = milligrams per day; μg/d = micrograms per day.

As retinol activity equivalents (RAEs). 1 RAE = 1 µg retinol, 12 µg β-carotene, 24 µg α-carotene, or 24 µg β-cryptoxanthin. The RAE for dietary provitamin A carotenoids is twofold greater than the retinol equivalents (RE), whereas the RAE for reformed vitamin A is the same as the RE.

As cholecalciferol. 1 µg cholecalciferol = 40 international units of vitamin D.

In the absence of adequate exposure to sunlight.

As α-tocopherol. α-Tocopherol includes RRR-α-tocopherol, the only form of α-tocopherol that occurs naturally in foods, and the 2R-stereoisomeric forms of α-tocopherol (RRR-, RSR-, RRS-, and RSS-α-tocopherol) that occur in fortified foods and supplements. It does not include the 2S-stereoisomeric forms of α-tocopherol (SRR-, SSR-, SRS-, and SSS-α-tocopherol), also found infortified foods and supplements.

As niacin equivalents (NE); 1 mg of niacin = 60 mg of tryptophan; for ages 0–6 months = preformed niacin (not NE) is counted.

As dietary folate equivalents (DFE); 1 DFE = 1 µg food folate = 0.6 µg of folic acid from fortified food or as a supplement consumed with food = 0.5 µg of a supplement taken on an empty stomach.

Although AIs have been set for choline, there are few data to assess whether a dietary supply of choline is needed at all stages of the life cycle, and it may be that the choline requirement can be met by endogenous synthesis at some of these stages.

In view of evidence linking folate intake with neural tube defects in the fetus, it is recommended that all women capable of becoming pregnant consume 400 micrograms from supplements or fortified foods, in addition to the intake of food folate from a varied diet.

It is assumed that women will continue consuming 400 micrograms from supplements or fortified food until their pregnancy is confirmed and they enter prenatal care, which ordinarily occurs after the end of the pericon ceptional period—the critical time for the formation of the neural tube.

SOURCE: IOM, 2006.

NOTE: This table presents Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) in boldface type and Adequate Intakes (AIs) in ordinary type followed by an asterisk. RDAs and AIs may both be used as goals for individual intakes. An RDA is set to meet the needs of almost all (97 to 98 percent) individuals in a group. It is calculated from an Estimated Average Requirement (EAR). If sufficient scientific evidence is not available to establish an EAR and, thus, to calculate an RDA, an AI is usually developed. For healthy breast-fed infants, the AI is the mean intake. The AI for other life stage and gender groups is believed to cover the needs of all individuals in the group, but a lack of data or uncertainty in the data prevent the percentage of individuals covered by this intake from being able to be specified with confidence. g/d = grams per day; mg/day = milligrams per day; µg/d = micrograms per day.

SOURCE: IOM, 2006.

NOTE: A Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is the highest level of daily nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects to almost all individuals in the general population. Unless otherwise specified, the UL represents total intake from food, water, and supplements. Because of a lack of suitable data, ULs could not be established for vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B₁₂, pantothenic acid, biotin, and carotenoids. In the absence of a UL, extra caution may be warranted in consuming levels above the recommended intakes. Members of the general population should be advised not to routinely consume amounts in excess of the UL. The UL is not meant to apply to individuals who are treated with the nutrient under medical supervision or to individuals with predisposing conditions that modify their sensitivity to the nutrient. mg/day = milligrams per day; ND = not determinable because of a lack of data on adverse effects in this age group and concern over the lack of an ability to handle excess amounts. The source of the intake should be from food only to prevent high levels of intake; μg/d = micrograms per day.

As preformed vitamin A only.

As α-tocopherol; applies to any form of supplemental α-tocopherol.

The ULs for vitamin E, niacin, and folate apply to synthetic forms obtained from supplements, fortified foods, or a combination of the two.

β-Carotene supplements are advised only to serve as a provitamin A source for individuals at risk of vitamin A deficiency.

SOURCE: IOM, 2006.

NOTE: A Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is the highest level of daily nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects to almost all individuals in the general population. Unless otherwise specified, the UL represents total intake from food, water, and supplements. Because of a lack of suitable data, In the absence of a UL, extra caution may be warranted in consuming levels above the recommended intakes. Members of the general population should be advised not to routinely consume amounts in excess of the UL. The UL is not meant to apply to individuals who are treated with the nutrient under medical supervision or to individuals with predisposing conditions that modify their sensitivity to the nutrient. mg/day = milligrams per day; ND = not determinable because of a lack of data on adverse effects in this age group and concern over the lack of an ability to handle excess amounts. The source of the intake should be from food only to prevent high levels of intake; µg/d = micrograms per day.

The ULs for magnesium represent intake from a pharmacological agent only and do not include intake from food and water.

SOURCE: IOM, 2006.

NOTE: This table presents Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) in boldface type and Adequate Intakes (AIs) in ordinary type followed by an asterisk. RDAs and AIs may both be used as goals for individual intakes. An RDA is set to meet the needs of almost all (97 to 98 percent) individuals in a group. It is calculated from an Estimated Average Requirement (EAR). If sufficient scientific evidence is not available to establish an EAR and, thus, to calculate an RDA, an AI is usually developed. For healthy breast-fed infants, the AI is the mean intake. The AI for other life-stage and gender groups is believed to cover the needs of all individuals in the group, but a lack of data or uncertainty in the data prevent the percentage of individuals covered by this intake from being able to be specified with confidence. g/d = grams per day; L/d = liters per day; ND = not determined.

Total water includes all water contained in food, beverages, and drinking water.

On the basis of the number of grams protein per kilograms of body weight for the reference body weight, for example, for adults 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight for the reference body weight.

SOURCE: IOM, 2006.

The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range is the percentage of energy intake that is associated with a reduced risk of chronic disease yet that provides adequate amounts of essential nutrients.

Approximately 10 percent of the total can come from longer-chain n-3 or n-6 fatty acids.

SOURCE: IOM, 2006.

Not a recommended intake. A daily intake of added sugars that individuals should aim for to achieve a healthful diet was not set.

SOURCE: IOM, 2006.

NOTE: Estimated energy requirement (calories per day) = total energy expenditure + energy deposition; kg = kilograms; m = meters; PA = physical activity coefficient (see Table J-10). These equations provide an estimate of energy requirement. Relative body weight (i.e., loss, stable, gain) is the preferred indicator of energy adequacy.

SOURCE: IOM, 2006.

NOTE: PAL = physical activity level.

SOURCE: IOM, 2006.