In this post, we will define what Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) are and their use.
Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) measures are reference standards utilized in the planning and assessment of diets. It covers an extensive range of nutrients. These reference standards aim to prevent diseases and nutrient deficiencies, as well as promote good health. It encompasses various types of references including the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), Adequate Intake (AI), Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) and Estimated Average Requirement (EAR).
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is targeted to meet the nutrient needs of most (97% – 98%) of healthy individuals.
Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)
The Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) is targeted to meet the nutrient needs of about half (50%) the healthy population. (Please refer to former post on RDAs).
Adequate Intake(AI)
This measure specifies the amount of adequate consumption for a variety of nutrients especially those that do not present with clinical deficiency symptoms such as Vitamin K. Unlike the RDA, its values are higher, and not derived from another calculated measure like the RDA which is calculated from EAR. Hence, AIs should be applied with more caution as they’re likely to be over-estimated .
Daily Values (DVs)–Are contained on nutrition labels of various food items. They are formulated by the FDA, and not nutrition professionals and health policy makers like the DRIs. DVs are presented in form of percentages i.e. 5% DV of a nutrient implies that a 1/20 of one serving is composed of that nutrient.
Tolerable Upper Intake Level
The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is the maximum amount of nutrients that can be consumed per day without risk of adverse health effects for most healthy individuals. By exceeding the UL measure, increases the risk of adverse effects.
DRIs include a variety of reference values of recommended intake per day. They are set by health- care policy makers and nutrition professionals.