Dietary Reference Intakes Research Synthesis

What information is available to inform the planning of a nutrition research agenda for the United States and Canada? This question provided the backdrop for the Dietary Reference Intakes Research Synthesis project undertaken by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies. The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are quantitative reference values for recommended intakes and tolerable upper intake levels for a range of nutrients. They are used widely by dietitians in individual counseling, by federal nutrition officials in program and policy development, and by the nutrition research and education communities in government, academia, and industry. Between 1997 and 2005, the IOM published a series of six DRI reports covering a total of 45 nutrients, energy, and other food components. The IOM also issued two reports describing ways to apply the DRIs in assessment and planning. Together, these eight reports contain more than 450 research recommendations and thus a wealth of information pertinent to a nutrition research agenda. To make the recommendations more accessible, the Food and Nutrition Board undertook a project with two major elements: (1) the development of a searchable database of all the DRI research recommendations, and (2) the Dietary Reference Intakes Research Synthesis Workshop, held June 7-8, 2006, which was designed to provide a venue for hearing and discussing experts' perspectives on the research recommendations identified in the DRI reports. Two members of the workshop planning group-Drs. John W. Suttie and Susan J. Whiting-moderated the DRI Research Synthesis Workshop. After an overview and demonstration of the DRI Research Synthesis Database, panels of experts addressed DRI research recommendations related to each of the six DRI nutrient reports, the two DRI applications reports, and three cross-cutting topics: (1) setting DRIs for children, (2) Tolerable Upper Intake Levels, and (3) relevant new and underutilized research techniques. This report is a summary of the workshop presentations and discussions. Table of Contents Front Matter Overview 1 Introductory Session 2 The Dietary Reference Intakes Research Synthesis Database 3 Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride 4 Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline 5 Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids 6 Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silver, Vanadium, and Zinc 7 Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, 8 Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate 9 Dietary Reference Intakes for Infants and Children 10 Tolerable Upper Intake Levels 11 Dietary Reference Intakes: Applications in Dietary Assessment and Planning 12 New and Underutilized Research Techniques and the Dietary Reference Intakes 13 Wrap-Up Session References Appendix A. Workshop Agenda Appendix B. Workshop Presenters, Additional Participants, and U.S. and Canadian Government DRI Representatives Appendix C. List of Research Recommendations from DRI Reports Appendix D. DRI Research Synthesis Database Overview and Sample Printout Appendix E. Research Progress Identified by Individuals at the Workshop Appendix F. Listing of Possible Topics for Research Identified by Individuals During the Workshop Appendix G. Acronyms and Abbreviations