Reference Daily Intake

About: Reference Daily Intake is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1564 publications have been published within this topic receiving 52794 citations.

Vitamin D levels in children of asylum seekers in The Netherlands in relation to season and dietary intake.

Abstract: Low dietary intake and limited sun exposure during Dutch winters, in particular when combined with highly pigmented skin, could compromise the vitamin D status of asylum seekers' children in The Netherlands. We determined the vitamin D status of children living in The Netherlands, but originating from Africa, Central Asia, or Eastern Europe. In a subgroup, we reassessed the vitamin D status after the summer, during which the children had been assigned at random to remain unsupplemented or to receive vitamin D supplementation. In total 112 children (median age 7.1 yr, range 2-12 yr) were assessed for serum concentrations of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], intact parathyroid hormone (I-PTH) and plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and hypovitaminosis D were defined as 25(OH)D below 30 or 50 nmol/L, respectively. Dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium was estimated using a 24 h recall interview. In mid-spring, 13% of the children had VDD, and 42% had hypovitaminosis D. I-PTH and ALP levels were significantly higher in children with VDD. The dietary intake of vitamin D was below 80% of the recommended daily allowances (RDA) in 94% of the children, but the dietary calcium intake was not significantly related to the s-25(OH)D levels found. After the summer, median s-25(OH)D increased with +35 nmol/L (+85%) and +19 nmol/L (+42%) in children with or without supplementation, respectively. The effect of supplementation was most prominent among African children. VDD and hypovitaminosis D are highly prevalent in mid-spring among asylum seekers' children in The Netherlands. Although 25(OH)D levels increase in African children during Dutch summer months, this does not completely correct the compromised vitamin D status. Our data indicate that children from African origin would benefit from vitamin D supplementation.

A decrease in iron status in young healthy women after long-term daily consumption of the recommended intake of fibre-rich wheat bread.

Abstract: Fibrerich bread and cereals are included in the recommendations of a healthy diet. To measure the effects of long–term consumption of the recommended intake of fibre–rich wheat bread on the iron status of young healthy women with adequate iron stores. Four–months intervention study including healthy female subjects assigned into two groups provided daily with 300 g of fibre–rich wheat bread, prepared with or without phytase as a supplement to their habitual diet. Forty–one women aged 24.8 ± 3.8 years (mean ± SD) and an average BMI of 22.0 ± 2.9 kg/m2 participated. Baseline values for serum ferritin were 45 µg/L, 22–83 (geometric mean, range) and for haemoglobin 132 g/L, 119–148 (arithmetic mean, range), respectively. Distribution of energy intake from protein, fat and carbohydrate, and daily intake of dietary fibre and iron were similar in the two groups and within the recommended levels. There was no effect of the phytase added to the wheat bread on the iron status of the subjects, but an effect of the intervention period. Serum ferritin and haemoglobin levels were significantly reduced by 12 ± 1.1 µg/L (27%) (P < 0.001) and 2 ± 0.8 g/l (1.5%) (mean ± SE) (P < 0.05) respectively, after four months of intervention. The present long–term study indicates that consumption of the recommended daily intake of fibre–rich wheat bread results in an impairment of iron status in women with initially sufficient iron stores. Reduction of the phytic acid concentration in the bread was not sufficient to maintain iron status.

Associations between dietary intake of folate and vitamins B-12 and B-6 and self-reported cognitive function and psychological well-being in Australian men and women in midlife.

Abstract: Objectives To assess dietary intake status of folate and vitamins B-12 and B-6 in 1183 middle-aged men and women, and to examine associations between dietary intake of these vitamins and self-reported cognitive function and psychological well-being. Methods A population-based sample of urban and rural South Australians completed questionnaires assessing demographics, background, health, and self-reported cognitive and memory functioning and psychological well-being. Usual dietary intake status was estimated using a retrospective, self-report, quantified food frequency questionnaire. Results About 20% of both men and women had intakes of folate that were below the Recommended Daily Intake for Australia. Vitamins B-12 and B-6 were positively related to memory functioning in men, and moderate dietary intake of folate and B-6 was associated with better memory functioning in women. Conclusions Vitamin B-12 and B-6 intakes may be positively related to the memory performance of middle-aged men and intakes at around the RDI are associated with better memory functioning for women. The investigation of the dose-response effects of B vitamin supplementation on cognition and mood in middle-aged men and women using objective measures of cognition and accounting for the influence of confounding factors such age and education would be informative.