Dietary reference intakes tables: Reference values for elements

This table presents Estimated Average Requirements (EARs), Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) in bold type and Adequate Intakes (AIs) in ordinary type followed by an asterisk (*). Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) are in shaded columns.

Table 1 footnote **

The DRI values for calcium published in 2011 supersede the previous values published in 1997.

Table 1 footnote 16

Although a UL was not determined for arsenic, there is no justification for adding arsenic to food or supplements.

Table 1 footnote 17

Due to lack of suitable data, ULs could not be established for arsenic and chromium. This does not mean that there is no potential for adverse effects resulting from high intakes.

Table 1 footnote a

Life-stage groups for infants were 0-5.9 and 6-11.9 months.

Note: These are reference values for normal, apparently healthy individuals eating a typical mixed North American diet. An individual may have physiological, health, or lifestyle characteristics that may require tailoring of specific nutrient values.

Reference values for Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, and Phosphorus
Age Iron Table 2 footnote 18
mg/day		 Magnesium
mg/day		 Manganese
mg/day		 Molybdenum
μg/day		 Nickel
mg/day		 Phosphorus
mg/day
EAR RDA/AI UL EAR RDA/AI UL Table 2 footnote 19 AI UL EAR RDA/AI UL AI UL EAR RDA/AI UL
Infants
0-6 mo ND 0.27 Table 2 footnote * 40 ND 30 Table 2 footnote * ND 0.003 Table 2 footnote * ND ND 2 Table 2 footnote * ND ND ND ND 100 Table 2 footnote * ND
7-12 mo 6.9 11 40 ND 75 Table 2 footnote * ND 0.6 Table 2 footnote * ND ND 3 Table 2 footnote * ND ND ND ND 275 Table 2 footnote * ND
Children
1-3 y 3 7 40 65 80 65 1.2 Table 2 footnote * 2 13 17 300 ND 0.2 380 460 3,000
4-8 y 4.1 10 40 110 130 110 1.5 Table 2 footnote * 3 17 22 600 ND 0.3 405 500 3,000
Males
9-13 y 5.9 8 40 200 240 350 1.9 Table 2 footnote * 6 26 34 1,100 ND 0.6 1,055 1,250 4,000
14-18 y 7.7 11 45 340 410 350 2.2 Table 2 footnote * 9 33 43 1,700 ND 1 1,055 1,250 4,000
19-30 y 6 8 45 330 400 350 2.3 Table 2 footnote * 11 34 45 2,000 ND 1 580 700 4,000
31-50 y 6 8 45 350 420 350 2.3 Table 2 footnote * 11 34 45 2,000 ND 1 580 700 4,000
51-70 y 6 8 45 350 420 350 2.3 Table 2 footnote * 11 34 45 2,000 ND 1 580 700 4,000
>70 y 6 8 45 350 420 350 2.3 Table 2 footnote * 11 34 45 2,000 ND 1 580 700 3,000
Females
9-13 y 5.7 Table 2 footnote g 8 Table 2 footnote g t2ch27 t2ch2 t2ch10">40 200 240 350 1.6 Table 2 footnote * 6 26 34 1,100 ND 0.6 1,055 1,250 4,000
14-18 y 7.9 Table 2 footnote g 15 Table 2 footnote g t2ch27 t2ch2 t2ch10">45 300 360 350 1.6 Table 2 footnote * 9 33 43 1,700 ND 1 1,055 1,250 4,000
19-30 y 8.1 Table 2 footnote g 18 Table 2 footnote g t2ch27 t2ch2 t2ch10">45 255 310 350 1.8 Table 2 footnote * 11 34 45 2,000 ND 1 580 700 4,000
31-50 y 8.1 Table 2 footnote g 18 Table 2 footnote g t2ch27 t2ch2 t2ch10">45 265 320 350 1.8 Table 2 footnote * 11 34 45 2,000 ND 1 580 700 4,000
51-70 y 5 Table 2 footnote g 8 Table 2 footnote g t2ch27 t2ch2 t2ch10">45 265 320 350 1.8 Table 2 footnote * 11 34 45 2,000 ND 1 580 700 4,000
>70 y 5 Table 2 footnote g 8 Table 2 footnote g t2ch27 t2ch2 t2ch10">45 265 320 350 1.8 Table 2 footnote * 11 34 45 2,000 ND 1 580 700 3,000
Pregnancy
≤18 y 23 27 45 335 400 350 2.0 Table 2 footnote * 9 40 50 1,700 ND 1 1,055 1,250 3,500
19-30 y 22 27 45 290 350 350 2.0 Table 2 footnote * 11 40 50 2,000 ND 1 580 700 3,500
31-50 y 22 27 45 300 360 350 2.0 Table 2 footnote * 11 40 50 2,000 ND 1 580 700 3,500
Lactation
≤18 y 7 10 45 300 360 350 2.6 Table 2 footnote * 9 35 50 1,700 ND 1 1,055 1,250 4,000
19-30 y 6.5 9 45 255 310 350 2.6 Table 2 footnote * 11 36 50 2,000 ND 1 580 700 4,000
31-50 y 6.5 9 45 265 320 350 2.6 Table 2 footnote * 11 36 50 2,000 ND 1 580 700 4,000
Table 2 Footnote *

This table presents Estimated Average Requirements (EARs), Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) in bold type and Adequate Intakes (AIs) in ordinary type followed by an asterisk (*). Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) are in shaded columns.

Table 2 Footnote 18

The requirement for iron is 1.8 times higher for vegetarians due to the lower bioavailability of iron from a vegetarian diet.

Table 2 Footnote 19

The UL for magnesium represents intake from a pharmacological agent only and does not include intake from food and water.

Table 2 Footnote g

For the EAR and RDA, it is assumed that girls younger than 14 years do not menstruate and that girls 14 years and older do menstruate. It is assumed that women 51 years and older are post-menopausal.

Note: These are reference values for normal, apparently healthy individuals eating a typical mixed North American diet. An individual may have physiological, health, or lifestyle characteristics that may require tailoring of specific nutrient values.

Reference values for Selenium, Silicon, Vanadium, Zinc, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate
Age Selenium
μg/day		 Silicon Table 3 footnote 20 Vanadium Table 3 footnote 22
mg/day		 Zinc Table 3 footnote 23
mg/day		 Potassium Table 3 footnote ***
mg/day		 Sodium Table 3 footnote *** Table 3 footnote 26
mg/day		 Chloride
mg/day		 Sulfate Table 3 footnote 28
EAR RDA/AI UL AI UL Table 3 footnote 21 AI UL EAR RDA/AI UL AI UL Table 3 footnote 24 CDRR Table 3 footnote 25 AI UL Table 3 footnote 21 CDRR Table 3 footnote 27 AI UL AI UL Table 3 footnote 21
Infants
0-6 mo ND 15 Table 3 footnote * 45 ND ND ND ND ND 2 Table 3 footnote * 4 400 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 110 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 180 Table 3 footnote * ND ND ND
7-12 mo ND 20 Table 3 footnote * 60 ND ND ND ND 2.5 3 5 860 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 370 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 570 Table 3 footnote * ND ND ND
Children
1-3 y 17 20 90 ND ND ND ND 2.5 3 7 2,000 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 800 Table 3 footnote * ND 1,200 Table 3 footnote h 1,500 Table 3 footnote * 2,300 ND ND
4-8 y 23 30 150 ND ND ND ND 4 5 12 2,300 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,000 Table 3 footnote * ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote h 1,900 Table 3 footnote * 2,900 ND ND
Males
9-13 y 35 40 280 ND ND t3ch32 t3ch4 t3ch15">ND ND 7 8 23 2,500 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,200 Table 3 footnote * ND 1,800 Table 3 footnote h 2,300 Table 3 footnote * 3,400 ND ND
14-18 y 45 55 400 ND ND t3ch32 t3ch4 t3ch15">ND ND 8.5 11 34 3,000 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 Table 3 footnote h 2,300 able 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
19-30 y 45 55 400 ND ND t3ch32 t3ch4 t3ch15">ND 1.8 9.4 11 40 3,400 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 2,300 Table 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
31-50 y 45 55 400 ND ND t3ch32 t3ch4 t3ch15">ND 1.8 9.4 11 40 3,400 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 2,300 Table 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
51-70 y 45 55 400 ND ND t3ch32 t3ch4 t3ch15">ND 1.8 9.4 11 40 3,400 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 2,000 Table 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
>70 y 45 55 400 ND ND t3ch32 t3ch4 t3ch15">ND 1.8 9.4 11 40 3,400 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 1,800 Table 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
Females
9-13 y 35 40 280 ND ND ND ND 7 8 23 2,300 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,200 Table 3 footnote * ND 1,800 Table 3 footnote h 2,300 Table 3 footnote * 3,400 ND ND
14-18 y 45 55 400 ND ND ND ND 7.3 9 34 2,300 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 Table 3 footnote h 2,300 Table 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
19-30 y 45 55 400 ND ND ND 1.8 6.8 8 40 2,600 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 2,300 Table 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
31-50 y 45 55 400 ND ND ND 1.8 6.8 8 40 2,600 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 2,300 Table 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
51-70 y 45 55 400 ND ND ND 1.8 6.8 8 40 2,600 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 2,000 Table 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
>70 y 45 55 400 ND ND ND 1.8 6.8 8 40 2,600 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 1,800 Table 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
Pregnancy
≤18 y 49 60 400 ND ND ND ND 10.5 12 34 2,600 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 Table 3 footnote h 2,300 Table 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
19-30 y 49 60 400 ND ND ND ND 9.5 11 40 2,900 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 2,300 Table 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
31-50 y 49 60 400 ND ND ND ND 9.5 11 40 2,900 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 2,300 Table 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
Lactation
≤18 y 59 70 400 ND ND ND ND 10.9 13 34 2,500 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 Table 3 footnote h 2,300 Table 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
19-30 y 59 70 400 ND ND ND ND 10.4 12 40 2,800 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 2,300 Table 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
31-50 y 59 70 400 ND ND ND ND 10.4 12 40 2,800 Table 3 footnote * ND ND 1,500 Table 3 footnote * ND 2,300 2,300 Table 3 footnote * 3,600 ND ND
Table 3 footnote *

This table presents Estimated Average Requirements (EARs), Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) in bold type and Adequate Intakes (AIs) in ordinary type followed by an asterisk (*). Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) are in shaded columns.

Table 3 footnote ***

New 2019 values have replaced previous 2005 values.

Table 3 Footnote 20

Although silicon has not been shown to cause adverse effects in humans, there is no justification for adding silicon to supplements.

Table 3 Footnote 21

Due to lack of suitable data, ULs could not be established for silicon, sodium, and sulfate. This does not mean that there is no potential for adverse effects resulting from high intakes.

Table 3 Footnote 22

Although vanadium in food has not been shown to cause adverse effects in humans, there is no justification for adding vanadium to food and vanadium supplements should be used with caution. The UL is based on adverse effects in laboratory animals and this data could be used to set a UL for adults but not children and adolescents.

Table 3 Footnote 23

The requirement for zinc may be as much as 50 percent greater for vegetarians, particularly for strict vegetarians whose major food staples are grains and legumes, due to the lower bioavailability of zinc from a vegetarian diet.

Table 3 Footnote 24

UL not determined owing to lack of a toxicological indicator specific to excessive potassium intake.

Table 3 Footnote 25

The lack of a potassium CDRR does not necessarily indicate that there is a lack of an effect of potassium intake, but rather a lack of evidence for causality and intake-response.

Table 3 Footnote 26

Grams of sodium x 2.53 = grams of salt.

Table 3 Footnote 27

For sodium the CDRR is the level above which intake reduction is expected to reduce chronic disease risk within an apparently healthy population.

Table 3 Footnote 28

An AI for sulfate was not established because sulfate requirements are met when dietary intakes contain recommended levels of sulfur amino acids (protein).

Table 3 Footnote h

Extrapolated from the adult CDRR Intake based on sedentary Estimated Energy Requirements (EERs).

Note: These are reference values for normal, apparently healthy individuals eating a typical mixed North American diet. An individual may have physiological, health, or lifestyle characteristics that may require tailoring of specific nutrient values.