Recommended Dietary Allowance
Definition
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the average daily dietary nutrient intake level sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all (97-98%) healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group.
Scientific / Technical Definition
RDA is a daily dietary intake level of a nutrient considered sufficient by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine to meet the requirements of 97.5% of healthy individuals in each life-stage and gender group. RDAs are part of Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), which also include Estimated Average Requirements (EARs), Adequate Intakes (AIs), and Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs).
Benefits
- Helps to maintain overall health by ensuring nutritional needs are met.
- Assists in the prevention of nutrient deficiencies.
- Supports the planning of healthy diets.
- Guides nutrition education and food policy.
Examples
- An RDA of vitamin C for adults is 90 mg per day for males and 75 mg per day for females.
- An RDA of calcium is 1000 mg per day for most adults.
Additional Information
- Importance: The RDA is crucial for informing dietary guidelines and food labeling, providing a benchmark for nutrient intake recommendations to support public health nutrition efforts.
Related Terms
References
Last updated: 10/26/2024