DRI (dietary reference intakes) are the set of values that serve as a goal for nutrient intake. These reference values are used to asses and plan the nutrient intakes for a healthy person.

DRI Calculation

Different units of DRI calculations

There are five standards of DRI through which the nutrient intakes can be calculated these are:

  1. EAR (estimated average requirements)
  2. RDA (recommended dietary allowances)
  3. AI (adequate intake)
  4. UL (tolerate able upper limit)
  5. EER (estimated average requirement)

EAR (Estimated average requirements): fulfils 50% requirements of population

These are the average intake values which fulfill the nutritional requirements of nearly half of the individuals in different life stages and gender groups.

The remaining individuals are included in standard deviation. So, it can be calculated as:

EAR= requirements + 50SD

RDA (recommended dietary allowances): fulfills 97-98% requirements of population

These are the daily nutrient intake levels sufficient to meet the needs of 97-98% of the population in different age groups and life stages. The remaining 2% population are included in standard deviation. So it can be calculated as:

RDA= requirement + 2SD

Where,

Requirement= population which needs are fulfilling

SD= standard deviation

AI (adequate intake):

These are the average daily intakes of the population which daily intakes are not fulfilled by RDA. According to the belonging group and the health status AI are given to the individuals. Like pregnant women and newborns daily intake levels are calculated in AI so that their nutritional requirement will be completely fulfill.

UL (tolerate able upper limit):

UL means the highest average daily intake of nutrient level that will have no any adverse effect on a person body. These levels are set so that if a person intakes more than the standard requirement than it will have no adverse effect on it. But if the intake will be above the UL than it will have adverse effect on it.

EER (estimated average requirement):

The average daily dietary energy intake of a population which are sufficient enough to meet the energy requirement of population or healthy adult belonging to defined age, gender, height, weight, and levels of physical activity consistent with good health.

 

These are the five standards of dietary reference intakes through which the daily nutrient and energy requirement of a person can be assessed and calculated.

Nutrition:

Nutrition can be describing as the way food nourishes our body. Food contain nutrients which are required to run our body functions. Nutrients are classified into two types:

  • Macronutrient      
  • Micronutrients

Macronutrients:

Macronutrients are those nutrients which are required in high quantity. Macronutrients in food are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and water.

Micronutrients:

Micronutrients are those which are required in low quantity. Micronutrients in food are minerals and vitamins.

Both of macro nutrients and micro nutrients have recommended DRIs which are sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of a healthy person. over or under intake of these nutrients than the recommended amount can may have an adverse effect on a person body. This is the reason that DRI are given to the nutrients.