Three components of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI)

The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are a set of nutrient reference values developed by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The DRIs are used to plan and assess the nutrient intakes of healthy individuals.

The DRIs are composed of three components:

• Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs): RDAs are the average daily amount of a nutrient that is sufficient to meet the nutrient needs of nearly all (97-98%) healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group.
• Adequate Intakes (AIs): AIs are established when there is insufficient scientific evidence to determine an RDA. AIs are based on observed or experimentally determined estimates of nutrient intakes by a group of people considered to have an adequate nutritional status.
• Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs): ULs are the highest average daily nutrient intake level that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects for almost all individuals in the general population. As the UL is an upper limit, it is generally recommended to stay below the UL whenever possible.

How RDA, AI, and UL influence health

The DRIs are important for maintaining good health and preventing chronic diseases. RDAs and AIs provide guidance on how much of a nutrient to consume to meet nutrient needs and support optimal health. ULs provide guidance on the highest level of nutrient intake that is safe for most people.

Meeting the RDAs suggested by the Interactive DRI

After reviewing my results on the Interactive DRI, I am meeting the RDAs for most nutrients. However, there are a few nutrients that I am not meeting the RDAs for, including:

• Vitamin D: My intake of vitamin D is 300 IU/day, while the RDA for adults is 600 IU/day.
• Calcium: My intake of calcium is 800 mg/day, while the RDA for adults is 1000 mg/day.
• Fiber: My intake of fiber is 20 grams/day, while the RDA for adults is 25 grams/day.

Two changes I can make to improve

To improve my intake of vitamin D, calcium, and fiber, I can make the following changes:

• Eat more fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna, which are good sources of vitamin D.
• Eat more dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, which are good sources of calcium.
• Eat more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, which are good sources of fiber.

Additional information

Here is some additional information on the DRIs:

• The DRIs are updated on a regular basis as new scientific evidence becomes available.
• The DRIs are not intended to be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition.
• If you have any questions or concerns about your nutrient intake, you should talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian.

Conclusion

The DRIs are an important tool for maintaining good health and preventing chronic diseases. By meeting the RDAs for essential nutrients, individuals can help to ensure that they are getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy.