Overview
This lecture explains the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), a set of scientific guidelines for how much energy and nutrients people need for optimal health, and describes how these values are established and used.
Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI): Purpose and Scope
- DRIs are recommendations for nutrient and energy intake to promote health and prevent deficiency or toxicity.
- DRIs are developed for generally healthy people in the US and Canada.
- DRIs are divided into recommendations for energy intake and nutrient intake.
Energy Intake Recommendations
- Estimated Energy Requirement (EER): Estimates daily calorie needs based on age, sex, height, weight, and physical activity.
- EER maintains energy balance for adults; includes extra energy for growth, pregnancy, or lactation as needed.
- Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR): Recommends percent of daily calories from carbohydrates (45–65%), protein (10–35%), and fat (20–35%).
- AMDR helps balance macronutrient intake and reduce disease risk.
Nutrient Intake Recommendations
- Four main DRI values for nutrients: EAR, RDA, AI, and UL.
- Tables help find DRI values based on age, sex, and life stage.
Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)
- EAR meets needs of 50% of people in a group by life stage/sex.
- Used to calculate RDA and assess population-level adequacy.
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
- RDA meets nutrient needs of 97–98% of the healthy population.
- RDA is the best daily target for most people.
Adequate Intake (AI)
- AI is set when there’s not enough evidence for an EAR/RDA.
- AI is based on observed intakes of healthy individuals and serves as a recommended goal when RDA is unavailable.
Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)
- UL is the highest daily intake of a nutrient that is unlikely to cause health problems.
- Exceeding the UL—especially with supplements—may cause toxicity.
How DRIs Are Used
- Individuals can assess and plan diets using DRIs, aiming for average intake over time.
- Health professionals use DRIs for dietary counseling and menu planning in institutions.
- DRIs inform national dietary guidelines, food labeling, and nutrition assistance programs.
- Used for nutrition monitoring, military rations, and development of food/supplements.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) — recommendations for nutrient and energy intake for health.
- Estimated Energy Requirement (EER) — average daily caloric need based on personal factors.
- Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) — recommended percentage range for carbs, protein, and fat.
- Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) — nutrient amount meeting needs of 50% in a group.
- Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) — nutrient amount meeting needs of 97–98% of a group.
- Adequate Intake (AI) — recommended intake based on observed healthy consumption when RDA is unavailable.
- Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) — maximum daily nutrient intake unlikely to cause harm.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review DRI tables for age and sex-specific nutrient recommendations.
- Watch the “Dietary Reference Intakes” video for additional clarification.
- Apply DRI concepts when planning or evaluating diets.