Dietary Reference Intakes To Replace Recommended Dietary Allowances

The report on Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride was released on August 13, 1997, by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences.

This report, the first in a series designed to be the new framework for providing guidance to federal agencies about nutrient needs and thus replace the former Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) of the Food and Nutrition Board, analyzes the scientific literature regarding human requirements for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, and fluoride throughout the lifespan, including the relationship to chronic diseases and data on dietary intake. Where the scientific evidence is sufficient, the report recommends for each nutrient: (1) the recommended dietary allowance, which meets the needs of almost all individuals in the group and is based on estimates of average requirement; (2) an adequate intake, which is expected to meet the needs of almost all individuals in a group but for which estimates of average requirements are not available; and (3) the tolerable upper intake level, which is the maximum intake that is unlikely to pose risks of adverse health effects in almost all individuals in the group.

RDA/DRI

For more than fifty years, nutrition experts have produced a set of nutrient and energy standards known as the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). A major revision is currently underway to replace the RDA. The revised recommendations are called Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) and reflect the collaborative efforts of the U.S. and Canada. Until 1997, the RDA were the only standards available and they continue to serve health care professionals until the DRI can be established for all nutrients.

1989 Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA)
National Academy of Sciences

AGE (YRS) / AMOUNT

Infants
0.0-0.5
0.5-1.0

Children
1-3
4-6
7-10

Males
11-14
15-18
19-24
25-50
51+

Females
11-14
15-18
19-24
25-50
51+

Pregnant

Lactating

For the RDA/DRI where available on a specific micronutrient be it vitamin or mineral, see the vitamins & mineral section.

1997 Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI)
IOM Committee on Dietary Reference Intakes

National Academy of Sciences

AGE (YRS) / AMOUNT

Infants
0.0-0.5
0.5-1.0

Children
1-3
4-8

Males
9-13
14-18
19-30
31-50
51-70
71+

Females
9-13
14-18
19-30
25-50
51-70
71+

Pregnant
<18yo
>18yo

Lactating
<18yo
>18yo