LESSON 3
RDA or RENI
THE RECOMMENDED DIETARY ALLOWANCES FOR NUTRIENTS
Introduction
Each day we need a number of nutrients to enable our body to carry out its
activities efficiently. To determine what nutrients, we need each day and how much, to
keep us in good health, a lot of research has been done. The results of these studies
have been used to work out the nutritional requirements of Indian people.
Why were the Recommendations Set-up?
In a number of studies the harmful effects of nutrient deficiencies on the human
body and its functions were observed. These were so revealing that the League of
Nations thought it necessary to set-up a committee to review available experimental data
and recommend daily dietary allowances for each of the nutrients that were known at
that time.
The Recommended Dietary Allowances for Nutrients 27
During the Second World War (1939–45), the military recruiting officers had to
reject a number of young men, who wanted to enlist, because they were underweight.
Naturally the governments in various countries were anxious to rectify this situation.
Another related problem was the need to estimate the amount of food to be sent to
various army units. This led to the setting up of Recommended
Dietary Allowances (RDA) in number of countries between, 1940 and 1944. India
was one of the first countries to set-up Recommended Dietary Allowances in 1944. The
desirable dietary intakes of energy, protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, ascorbic
acid and vitamin D were suggested in the RDAs set-up in 1944.
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On the basis of newer research findings, these recommendations have been
revised four times and fifth revision is expected in the near future. In 1958, the
recommendations for energy were revised. In 1968 and again in 1978 allowances of all
nutrients except energy were revised. In 1968, additional recommendations were made
for four B vitamins, namely riboflavin, nicotinic acid, folic acid and vitamin B12. In 1978,
the requirements for a one more B vitamin, pyridoxine (B6) were included.
In making these recommendations, the ICMR committee was guided by the
dietary allowances suggested by Expert group of FAO and WHO and also by the results
of studies carried out in India on nutrient requirements.
In the 1978 revision, the unit of energy joule, adopted by International Union of
Sciences and IUNS (International Union of Nutritional Sciences) has also been included.
The 1978 revision was entitled Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI), to emphasise the
intake of nutrients. The word ‘recommended’ is used to emphasise that these values
need to be revised periodically
on the basis of newer research data.
The last revision was made in 1988. The important features of the 1988 revision are:
• the revision of body weight standards for Indians
• complete revision of energy requirements
• definition of quantum and type of fat intakes
• modification of RDAs of vitamin A and D
• inclusion of several nutrients and dietary factors not considered earlier, such as fibre,
electrolytes (sodium, potassium), magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin E and K, and
• for the first time a provisional recommendation on trace elements was made.
No substantial changes were made in the RDAs for protein, B-complex vitamins, iron
and calcium.
General Principles of Deriving RDA
A number of general principles are used to arrive at nutritional requirements of an
individual or the RDA for a population. These are:
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• Dietary intakes: This approach has been used to arrive at the energy needs of
children.
Energy intakes of normally growing children is used as the basis for RDA.
• Growth: To define requirements in early infancy, the breast milk intake of healthy
infants, or the requirement of any particular nutrient for satisfactory growth has been
utilised.
• Nutrient balance: As for a number of other nutrients, to arrive at the protein
requirements, the minimum intake of nutrient for equilibrium (intake = output) in adults,
and nutrient retention consistent with satisfactory growth in children, have been used
widely.
• Obligatory loss of nutrients: is the minimal loss of the nutrient or its metabolic
product through normal routes of elimination (viz., urine, faeces and sweat). It is
determined on a diet devoid of or very low in the nutrient. For example, a protein-free
diet in case of proteins.
This information is used to determine the amount of nutrient to be consumed
daily through the diet to replace the obligatory loss. In infants and children, growth
requirements are added to the above maintenance requirements.
• Factorial method: In this method, the needs for various functions are assessed
separately and added up to assess the total daily requirements. This is the method used
to arrive at total energy requirements.
• Nutrient turnover: Data collected by studying turnover of certain nutrients in healthy
persons, using isotopically labelled nutrients has been used to determine their
requirements. Vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and vitamin B12 requirement have been
measured in this manner.
• Depletion and repletion studies: These have been used to determine the
requirements of water-soluble vitamins. The vitamin status is measured by recording the
levels of vitamin or its coenzyme in serum or tissue (e.g., erythrocytes, leucocytes). The
of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and pyridoxine have been
established using this approach. The subjects are first fed a diet very low in the nutrient
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being studied until the biochemical parameters reach a low level. After that feeding
graded doses of the nutrient is studied. The level at which response increases rapidly
indicates the level of requirement of
the nutrient.
The RENI is used to denote recommendations for energy and 21 nutrients including
protein, folate, calcium, and zinc for the maintenance of health and well-being of nearly all
healthy persons in the population.
- For example, women need more iron than men, while a pregnant woman needs
more of the essential nutrients than a non-pregnant woman. Moreover, some
nutrients should be consumed more frequently, such as water-soluble vitamins like
vitamin C. Other nutrients, on the other hand, can be harmful if more than what is
recommended is taken, like vitamin A.
- Remember, RENI is a guide to good nutrition that can help in food choices.
The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and
Technology (FNRI-DOST) launches the PDRI 2015 during the opening ceremony of the
41st FNRI Seminar Series on July 1, 2015 at the FNRI Auditorium. The 2015 PDRI adopts
the multi-level approach for setting nutrient reference values to meet the needs of various
stakeholders for appropriate nutrient reference values.
This is for planning and assessing diets of healthy groups and individuals. PDRI is the
collective term comprising reference value for energy and nutrient levels of intakes. The
components of PDRI are:
• Estimated Average Requirement (EAR): daily nutrient intake level that meets the
median or average requirement of healthy individuals in particular life stage and
sex group, corrected for incomplete utilization or dietary nutrient bioavailability.
• Recommended Energy/Nutrient Intake (REI/RNI): level of intake of energy or
nutrient which is considered adequate for the maintenance of health and well-being
of healthy persons in the population.
• Adequate Intake (AI): daily nutrient intake level that is based on observed or
experimentally-determined approximation of the average nutrient intake by a group
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(groups) of apparently healthy people that are assumed to sustain a defined
nutritional state.
• Tolerable Upper Intake Level or Upper Limit (UL): highest average daily nutrient
intake level likely to pose no adverse health effects to almost all individuals in the
general population.
Refer to PDRI Tables for details. (See Appendices)
An article taken from the DOST-FNRI FB page – a sample promotional items for
nutrition
𝐖o𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲? 𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓-𝐅𝐍𝐑𝐈!
“ Ang bilis ng panahon…nasa unang trimester na ng pagbubuntis si misis”,
uttered by an expectant father in one of the mother’s classes I conducted.
This was followed by the question: Ano kaya ang mga dapat kainin ni misis habang
nagbubuntis”?
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These are frequently asked questions (FAQs) from expectant parents on
pregnancy.
Do not worry! The Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition
Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) is at your service to give healthy advice on pregnancy
with the Pinggang Pinoy.
As the name suggests, Pinggang Pinoy is especially designed for Filipinos that
features the GO, GROW and GLOW foods represented by food items commonly
consumed by the population.
The GO foods are represented by a bowl of rice, a staple food of Filipinos, and
fish like tilapia for GROW foods, as well as banana and malunggay leaves for GLOW
foods.
Included in Pinggang Pinoy’s simple and graphic design is also a glass of water,
which stresses the importance of sufficient water and fluid intake, and a figure jogging to
represent regular physical activity.
Recognizing the different nutrient requirements of the different age groups, the
FNRI developed the Pinggang Pinoy plates for children, adolescents, pregnant women
and lactating mothers and the elderly.
For pregnant mothers, here are some tips on healthy eating:
• Have a healthy diet. It should have the right balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and
healthy fats as well as vitamins and minerals. Follow the Pinggang Pinoy developed by
the DOST-FNRI. The Pinggang Pinoy shows the approximate relative proportions, on a
per meal basis, the three food groups as follows:
• -Half of the plate is comprised of vegetables and fruits or Glow foods, with the
vegetables portion being a bit bigger.
• The other half is comprised of rice or Go food, and fish or Grow Food, with more rice
than fish.
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Below is a sample one-day meal plan for a pregnant mother:
• Include milk in your daily diet, as shown in the sample meal plan. Milk offers essential
nutrients, like calcium, protein, and vitamin D.
• Calcium is important in developing the baby’s bones and teeth.
• Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium more effectively.
• Protein is necessary for repairing body tissues and preserving or increasing lean
muscle mass.
• Ensure that half of your plate is comprised of vegetables and fruits or Glow foods.
Vegetables and fruits are also rich in dietary fiber that can help prevent constipation that
is common to pregnant women.
• Stay hydrated. Drink 9 or more glasses of water daily.
• Have enough rest and sleep.
• Stay active during pregnancy. Regular and moderate exercise, such as walking can
help keep you feeling healthy and comfortable. But make sure you consult your doctor
before starting an exercise routine.
The DOST-FNRI’s vision is to provide innovative and timely food and nutrition
tools that will ensure a healthy and well-nourished Filipino population, especially among
pregnant and lactating mothers who are the bearers of the country’s next generation.
DOST-FNRI, kasama ninyo sa iba't ibang yugto ng buhay at kabuhayan.
For more information on food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director,
Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos
Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City. E-mail: mcv@[Link], Telefax: 8837-2934 and 8827-3164,
or call: 88372071 local 2296 or visit our website: [Link] and like our
Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
-with Fortunato de la Peña Rowena Cristina Guevara Mario Capanzana
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