Institute Of Medicine Food And Nutrition Board Dietary Reference Intakes
In the United States, the Institute of Medicine Food and Nutrition Board is responsible for setting the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for essential nutrients. The DRIs are a set of reference values used to plan and assess nutrient intake for healthy people. These values are used by health professionals, researchers, and policymakers to make recommendations for dietary intake, as well as to assess the nutrient adequacy of diets.
What are the DRIs?
The DRIs are a set of reference values for essential nutrients that are used to plan and assess nutrient intakes for healthy people. The DRIs include the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), the Adequate Intake (AI), the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), and the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR).
The RDA is the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97-98%) healthy individuals in a specific age and gender group.
The AI is used when there is insufficient scientific evidence to establish an RDA. The AI is an estimate of the amount of a nutrient that is needed to maintain a healthy status.
The 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 a specific age and gender group.
The EAR is the daily intake level of a nutrient that is estimated to meet the needs of half of the healthy individuals in a specific age and gender group.
Why are the DRIs important?
The DRIs are important because they provide a framework for assessing nutrient adequacy of diets, and for setting goals for nutrient intake. The DRIs are also used by health professionals and policymakers to make recommendations about nutrient intake, and to develop food and nutrition policies.
The DRIs can help individuals to plan and assess their own nutrient intake, and to make informed choices about food and dietary supplements. The DRIs can also help health professionals to provide guidance to individuals and populations about nutrient intake, and to identify individuals who may be at risk of nutrient deficiencies or excesses.
How are the DRIs developed?
The DRIs are developed by a committee of experts who review the scientific evidence related to nutrient requirements and health outcomes. The committee considers data from a variety of sources, including clinical trials, epidemiological studies, and animal studies.
The committee considers the risk of adverse effects from excessive nutrient intake, as well as the potential benefits of adequate nutrient intake. The committee also considers the variability in nutrient requirements among different populations, such as age, gender, and life stage.
The DRIs are updated periodically to reflect new scientific evidence and changes in public health concerns. The most recent update to the DRIs was in 2019.
Conclusion
The Institute of Medicine Food and Nutrition Board Dietary Reference Intakes are a set of reference values used to plan and assess nutrient intake for healthy people in the United States. The DRIs include the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), the Adequate Intake (AI), the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), and the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR). The DRIs are important for assessing nutrient adequacy of diets, and for setting goals for nutrient intake. The DRIs are developed by a committee of experts who review the scientific evidence related to nutrient requirements and health outcomes, and are updated periodically to reflect new scientific evidence and changes in public health concerns.
