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Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs)
1/1/2004

Responding to the expansion of scientific knowledge regarding the roles of nutrients in human health, the Food and Nutrition Board, in partnership with Health Canada, is updating the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). The new title for these guidelines, Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), is the inclusive name being given to this new approach. 

A standing committee composed of 7 to 12 Food and Nutrition Board members has oversight over the appointment, charge, and framework of each of the panels and subcommittees that will address components of the overall project of developing dietary reference intakes. Liaisons from the government of Canada and the United States serve in ex-officio capacities on this committee in order to encourage harmonization of recommendations.

The panels have covered the following groups of nutrients:

• calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, magnesium, and fluoride;
• folate and other B vitamins;
• antioxidants (e.g., vitamins C and E, selenium);
• macronutrients (e.g., protein, fat, carbohydrates);
• trace elements (e.g., vitamin A & K, iron, zinc); and
• electrolytes and water.

The 2 subcommittees focused on the Upper Reference Levels of Nutrients and the Interpretation and Uses of Dietary Reference Intakes.

Dietary reference intakes developed for each nutrient or other food component, where adequate scientific data is available, include the following:

• estimated average requirement and its standard deviation by age and gender;
• recommended dietary allowance, based on the estimated average requirement and deviation;
• adequate intake level, where a recommended dietary allowance cannot be based on an estimated average requirement; and
• tolerable upper intake levels above which risk of toxicity would increase.

Additionally, statistically appropriate methods to provide guidance in uses of reference intakes in assessing dietary adequacy in populations and in developing policy regarding feeding programs, food labeling, or food fortification have been developed and incorporated into final reports.

The standing committee coordinates the recommendations from the nutrient specific panels and subcommittees, the dietary reference intakes, and for maximum levels of intake after seeking scientific comment regarding possible approaches. The standing committee is responsible for overall review of the recommendations and the rationale provided before developing the final reports. The final reports are submitted by the standing committee to the NRC Report Review Committee for review periodically as they become available.

Referência: the National Academy of Sciences