Consequences of changes in the Dietary Reference Intakes for nutrient databases

The purpose of this work is to describe how the release of the new Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for the United States and Canada has necessitated changes in the US Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR). New DRIs are reviewed to determine if the units for reporting vitamin intakes have changed and also to determine if the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is based on a different form of the vitamin than the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). If the units have changed, decisions are made about how to change to the new units. If the form of the vitamin used for the UL is different from the form used for the RDA, consideration is given to reporting values for different forms of the vitamin. Since the release of the first new DRIs in 1997 several changes have been made to the SR. Folate is now reported in dietary folate equivalents as well as total folate. Folic acid is listed in the database because this is the form that is used to assess intake at the UL. Vitamin A is reported in retinol activity equivalents instead of retinol equivalents and reflects reduced bioactivity of the provitamin-A-carotenoids. Retinol is listed in the database because it is the form that is used to assess intake at the UL. Vitamin E is reported as mg of α-tocopherol instead of mg α-tocopherol equivalents. Milligrams of α-tocopherol in fortified foods were recalculated from IU values based on the form of the vitamin added, either RRR-α-tocopherol or all rac-α-tocopherol. Additional changes will need to be made to the database for niacin and vitamin B12. The DRIs are the basis for determining the adequacy of diets. Therefore it is necessary for nutrient databases to conform to the DRIs to facilitate accurate monitoring of the adequacy of diets.