Adequate intake

Adequate Intake (AI) is a nutrient recommendation established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine (IOM). It is used when there is not enough evidence to determine an Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and calculate a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA).

Definition

The AI is set at a level assumed to ensure nutritional adequacy. It is established based on observed or experimentally determined approximations of nutrient intake by a group (or groups) of healthy people. The AI is used when the EAR cannot be determined, which is the case when the data are not sufficient or conclusive.

Application

The AI is often used for nutrients that do not have enough scientific evidence to establish an EAR. For example, the AI is used for infant nutrition recommendations because infants' nutrient needs vary greatly and it is difficult to determine an average requirement.

Limitations

While the AI is a useful tool, it has its limitations. It is not equivalent to an RDA and does not necessarily reflect the optimal intake level of a nutrient. The AI is also not intended to be used as a goal for individual intake, but rather as a reference for population-level nutrition planning and assessment.

See also

• Dietary Reference Intake
• Estimated Average Requirement
• Recommended Dietary Allowance
• Tolerable upper intake level