Editing Dietary Reference Intake (section)

==Parameters==
[[File:Dietary Reference Intakes.svg|thumb|Dietary Reference Intakes]]
DRI provides several different types of reference values:<ref name="HealthCanada"/><!-- EAR, AI, AMDR etc redirect here, so they should appear early and bolded to avoid confusing readers following links to those terms. -->
* '''Estimated Average Requirements''' ('''EAR'''), are expected to satisfy the needs of 50% of the people in that age group based on a review of the scientific literature.
* '''Recommended Dietary Allowances''' ('''RDA'''), the daily dietary intake level of a nutrient considered sufficient by the [[Reference Daily Intake#History|Food and Nutrition Board]] of the Institute of Medicine to meet the requirements of 97.5% of healthy individuals in each life stage and sex group. The definition implies that the intake level would cause a harmful nutrient deficiency in just 2.5%. It is calculated based on the EAR and is usually approximately 20% higher than the EAR (See [[#Calculating the RDA|Calculating the RDA]]).
* '''Adequate Intake''' ('''AI'''), where no RDA has been established, but the amount established is somewhat less firmly believed to be adequate for everyone in the demographic group.
* '''Tolerable upper intake levels''' ('''UL'''), to caution against excessive intake of nutrients (like [[vitamin A]] and [[selenium]]) that can be harmful in large amounts. This is the highest level of {{em|sustained}} daily nutrient consumption that is considered to be safe for, and cause no side effects in, 97.5% of healthy individuals in each life stage and sex group. The definition implies that the intake level would cause a harmful nutrient excess in just 2.5%. The [[European Food Safety Authority]] (EFSA) has also established ULs which do not always agree with U.S. ULs. For example, adult zinc UL is 40&nbsp;mg in the U.S. and 25&nbsp;mg in EFSA.<ref name=EFSA>{{citation| title = Tolerable Upper Intake Levels For Vitamins And Minerals| publisher = European Food Safety Authority| year = 2006| url = http://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/efsa_rep/blobserver_assets/ndatolerableuil.pdf}}</ref>
* '''Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges''' ('''AMDR'''), are a range of intake specified as a percentage of total energy intake.  Used for sources of energy, such as fats and carbohydrates.

DRIs are used by both the United States and Canada, and are intended for the general public and health professionals. Applications include:
* Composition of diets for schools, prisons, hospitals or nursing homes
* Industries developing new foods and dietary supplements
* Healthcare policy makers and public health officials