RECOMMENDED DIETARY ALLOWANCES

During World War II, the first version of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) was released with the intention of “establishing criteria to serve as a goal for adequate nutrition.” It established “recommended daily intakes for several dietary needs for persons of various ages” based on “newer knowledge” (NRC, 1943). The head of the inaugural Committee on Recommended Dietary Allowances has detailed the origins of the RDAs in great detail (Roberts, 1958). The first edition was amended on a regular basis, and this is the tenth generation.

RDAs have evolved from their original use as a tool for instructing on “diet issues in correlation with national defense” to include planning and procuring food supplies for population subgroups, interpreting food consumption records of individuals and populations, establishing standards for food assistance programmes, assessing the adequacy of food supplies in meeting national nutritional needs, and designing nutrition education programmes. In most situations, there is a scarcity of data on which to base estimations of nutrient needs.

RDA VITAMIN C 

RDA: For people aged 19 and up, the recommended daily amount is 90 mg for males and 75 mg for women. The daily dose rises to 85 mg and 120 mg, respectively, during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Given the fact that smoking drains vitamin C levels in the body, smokers should take an extra 35 mg above the RDA.

VITAMIN A RDA 

Adults aged 19 and above should consume 900 mcg RAE (similar to 3,000 IU) for men and 700 mcg RAE (similar to 700 IU) for women (equivalent to 2,333 IU).

THIAMIN (vitamin B1)

THIAMIN (vitamin B1) aids in the conversion of food to power. It is necessary for the health of the skin, scalp, muscle, and brain, as well as nerve activity. 1.2 mg M, 1.1 mg W is the recommended RDA.

RIBOFLAVIN (vitamin B2)

RIBOFLAVIN (vitamin B2) aids in the conversion of food into power. Skin, scalp, circulation, and the brain all benefit from it. 1.3 mg M, 1.1 mg W is the recommended RDA. 

NIACIN (nicotinic acid, vitamin B3)

NIACIN (nicotinic acid, vitamin B3) aids in the conversion of food towards power. Skin, the circulatory system, the brain, and the neurological system all benefit from it. 16 mg for men, 14 mg for women is the recommended RDA. 

PANTOTHENIC ACID (vitamin B5)

PANTOTHENIC ACID (vitamin B5) is a B vitamin that aids in the conversion of food into energy. It has a role in the production of lipid (fatty acids), neurotransmitters, steroid hormones, & hemoglobin. 5 mg M, 5 mg W is the recommended RDA. 

CHOLINE

CHOLINE Aids in the production and secretion of the cholinergic system, which is involved in a variety of nerve and brain functions. It aids in the metabolization and transport of lipids. 550 mg for men, 425 mg for women is recommended.

TOCOPHEROL ALPHA (vitamin E)

TOCOPHEROL ALPHA (vitamin E) An antioxidant that neutralizes unstable chemicals that might cause cell harm. Inhibits the oxidation of vitamin A and some fats. Vitamin E-rich diets may help to prevent Hypertension. 15 mg M, 15 mg W (15 mg equals about 22 IU from natural sources of vitamin E and 33 IU from synthetic vitamin E)

CALCIUM

CALCIUM Bone and tooth are built and protected with this supplement. Muscular twitches and relaxing, blood coagulation, and nerve signal propagation are all aided by this substance. It aids hormone secretion as well as energy metabolism. Maintains a good blood pressure level 31–50: M: 1,200 mg, W: 1,200 mg, 71+ is recommended. 

CONCLUSION

Lydia J. Roberts, Hazel Stiebeling, and Helen S. Mitchell, all members of a committee formed by the United States National Academy of Sciences to explore nutrition concerns that could “impact national defense,” devised the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) during World War II. 

In 1941, the group was renamed the Food and Nutrition Board, and work on a set of recommendations for a recommended daily amount for each nutrient started. The guidelines would be used to provide dietary recommendations to the military, citizens, and people in other countries who might require food assistance.

The RDAs were then adjusted every five to ten years by the Food and Nutrition Board. In the early 1950s, US Department of Agriculture nutritionists established a new set of guidelines that included the number of servings of each food group to make it easier for people to reach their RDAs.