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The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI’s) are new nutrient intake standards that are being set for the United States and Canada. There are currently four types of DRI’s: Estimated Average Requirements (EAR), Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), Adequate Intakes (AI), and Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL). The EAR is the nutrient intake that would be adequate for about half the population, while intake at the RDA should be adequate for 97-98% of the population. When the data are insufficient to set an EAR and RDA, then an AI is set. The UL is the highest intake level that does not pose a risk of adverse effects. The EAR, AI, and UL may be used to assess intakes of both individuals and of groups of people. For individuals, the EAR is used to calculate the probability that intake is inadequate, the AI is used to decide if the probability of inadequacy is low, and the UL is used to determine if a risk of excess intake is present. For groups. the EAR is used to estimate the prevalence of inadequacy, the AI is used to decide if the prevalence of inadequacy is low, and the UL is used to estimate the prevalence of excessive intakes. Because this approach to setting and applying nutrient standards is new, research recommendations include improving estimates of risk, improving dietary data, and improving statistical methods.
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