Folate Dietary References, Institute of Medicine (USA): Dietary Reference Intakes - The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements (2006)


Dietary references values for Folate according to Institute of Medicine (USA): Dietary Reference Intakes - The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements (2006)1.

Dietary reference values as published by the Institute of Medicine (USA) in a 2006 selective summary of previously established reference values.

As dietary folate equivalents (DFEs). 1 μg-dfe = 1 μg food folate = 0.6 μg of folicacid from fortified food or as a supplement consumed with food = 0.5 μg of folic acid from a supplement taken on an empty stomach.

Recommended Dietary Allowance

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA): Average daily level of intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97%–98%) healthy individuals; often used to plan nutritionally adequate diets for individuals.

μg-dfe/day: microgram dietary folate equivalent per day

1.00 - 
3.99 years
male
150 μg-dfe/day
1.00 - 
3.99 years
female
150 μg-dfe/day
4.00 - 
8.99 years
male
200 μg-dfe/day
4.00 - 
8.99 years
female
200 μg-dfe/day
9.00 - 
13.99 years
male
300 μg-dfe/day
9.00 - 
13.99 years
female
300 μg-dfe/day
14.00 - 
18.99 years
male
400 μg-dfe/day
14.00 - 
18.99 years
female
400 μg-dfe/day
To reduce risk of neural tube defects, women capable of becoming pregnant should take 400 μg of folic acid daily from fortified foods, supplements, or both, in addition to consuming food folate from a varied diet.
19.00 - 
30.99 years
male
400 μg-dfe/day
19.00 - 
30.99 years
female
400 μg-dfe/day
To reduce risk of neural tube defects, women capable of becoming pregnant should take 400 μg of folic acid daily from fortified foods, supplements, or both, in addition to consuming food folate from a varied diet.
31.00 - 
50.99 years
male
400 μg-dfe/day
31.00 - 
50.99 years
female
400 μg-dfe/day
To reduce risk of neural tube defects, women capable of becoming pregnant should take 400 μg of folic acid daily from fortified foods, supplements, or both, in addition to consuming food folate from a varied diet.
51.00 - 
69.99 years
male
400 μg-dfe/day
51.00 - 
69.99 years
female
400 μg-dfe/day
70.00 - 
years
male
400 μg-dfe/day
70.00 - 
years
female
400 μg-dfe/day
 - 
18.99 years
lactating
500 μg-dfe/day
19.00 - 
50.99 years
lactating
500 μg-dfe/day
 - 
18.99 years
pregnant
600 μg-dfe/day
19.00 - 
50.99 years
pregnant
600 μg-dfe/day

Adequate Intake

Adequate Intake (AI): Intake at this level is assumed to ensure nutritional adequacy; established when evidence is insufficient to develop an RDA.

μg-dfe/day: microgram dietary folate equivalent per day

0.00 - 
0.49 years
65 μg-dfe/day
Note: The tolerable upper intake leven (UL) is not determinable due to the lack of data of adverse effects in this age group and concern regarding the lack of ability to handle excess amounts. Source of intake should only be from food to prevent high levels of intake.
0.50 - 
0.99 years
80 μg-dfe/day
Note: The tolerable upper intake leven (UL) is not determinable due to the lack of data of adverse effects in this age group and concern regarding the lack of ability to handle excess amounts. Source of intake should only be from food to prevent high levels of intake.

Estimated Average Requirement

Estimated Average Requirement (EAR): Average daily level of intake estimated to meet the requirements of 50% of healthy individuals; usually used to assess the nutrient intakes of groups of people and to plan nutritionally adequate diets for them; can also be used to assess the nutrient intakes of individuals.

μg-dfe/day: microgram dietary folate equivalent per day

1.00 - 
3.99 years
male
120 μg-dfe/day
1.00 - 
3.99 years
female
120 μg-dfe/day
4.00 - 
8.99 years
male
160 μg-dfe/day
4.00 - 
8.99 years
female
160 μg-dfe/day
9.00 - 
13.99 years
male
250 μg-dfe/day
9.00 - 
13.99 years
female
250 μg-dfe/day
14.00 - 
18.99 years
male
330 μg-dfe/day
14.00 - 
18.99 years
female
330 μg-dfe/day
19.00 - 
30.99 years
male
320 μg-dfe/day
19.00 - 
30.99 years
female
320 μg-dfe/day
31.00 - 
50.99 years
male
320 μg-dfe/day
31.00 - 
50.99 years
female
320 μg-dfe/day
51.00 - 
69.99 years
male
320 μg-dfe/day
51.00 - 
69.99 years
female
320 μg-dfe/day
70.00 - 
years
male
320 μg-dfe/day
70.00 - 
years
female
320 μg-dfe/day
 - 
18.99 years
lactating
450 μg-dfe/day
19.00 - 
50.99 years
lactating
450 μg-dfe/day
 - 
18.99 years
pregnant
520 μg-dfe/day
19.00 - 
50.99 years
pregnant
520 μg-dfe/day

Sources

1
Institute of Medicine (US). (2006). Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements. (Consensus Study Report). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.17226/11537 at 2019-05-12.