Safe and adequate intakes

Sodium Intake. Where salt is readily available, most of the world s population chooses to consume about 6,000—11,000 mg of salt or sodium chloride a day so that average daily sodium intake from all sources is 3,450 mg (8,770 mg NaCl) (13). The U.S. EDA s GRAS review puts the amount of naturally occurring sodium in the American diet at 1000—1500 mg/d, equivalent to the amount of sodium in approximately 2500—3800 mg NaCl. Thus the average daily intake of NaCl from food-grade salt used in food processing (qv) and from salt added in cooking or at the table is from 4960—6230 mg NaCl. The requirement for salt in the diet has not been precisely estabUshed, but the safe and adequate intake for adults is reported as 1875—5625 mg (14). The National Academy of Sciences recommends that Americans consume a minimum of 500 mg/d of sodium (1250 mg/d salt) (6,15). 

Biotin is widespread in foods, although its availability is affected somewhat by the presence of binding proteins. Biotin is required in only small amounts. Although US RDA values have not been established, the estimated safe and adequate intake of biotin is 30-100 g day -1 for adults. The Department of Health (1991) suggested that biotin intakes between 10 and 200 iig day-1 are safe and adequate. Biotin is reported to be non-toxic in amounts up to at least 10 mg day-1. 

Pantothenate deficiency is rare, occurring only in cases of severe malnutrition characteristic symptoms include vomiting, intestinal distress, insomnia, fatigue and occasional diarrhoea. Pantothenate is widespread in foods meat, fish, poulty, whole-grain cereals and legumes are particularly good sources. Although no RDA or RNI value has been established for panthothenate, safe and adequate intake of this vitamin for adults is estimated to be 3-7 mg day-1. Pantothenate is non-toxic at doses up to 10 g day-1. 

Chromium is a trivalent cption that occurs as A typical daily intake isO-5 3-8 jimoJ (25-200 ig/day). After absorption from the diet, chromium occurs bound to transferrin. A safe and adequate intake of 50 to 200 ffg Cr/day has been established. Chromium appears to participate in glucose metabolism. The ion may play a part in mediating the hormonal effects of insulin. Chromium deficiency results in abnormally high glucose tolerance curves and impaired clearance of plasma glucose. Chromium deficiency can be induced in animals. There is evidence that... 

The participants at the NABC nutrition workshop concluded by recommending that the research community identify active phytogenic components and their mechanisms of action in plant cells, and determine the safe and adequate intake ranges of phytogenic substances in foods consumed by humans (10). 

Table 1. Estimated Ranges of Safe and Adequate Intakes (ug/day)... 

RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE OF BIOTIN. It is difficult to obtain a quantitative requirement for biotin, for the reason that intestinal microflora make a significant contribution to the body pool of available biotin often humans excrete via the feces and urine considerably more biotin than they have ingested. However, the estimated safe and adequate intakes of biotin are given in the section on VITAMIN(S), Table V-5, Vitamin Table. 

Estimated safe and adequate intakes of chloride are given in the section on MINERAL(S), Table M-25, Mineral Table. 

RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE. The amount of pantothenic acid required by human beings has not been determined so, a recommended daily allowance for pantothenic acid has not been made by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council. Nevertheless, they do give "estimated safe and adequate intakes" beised on proportional energy needs (see section on VITAMIN(S), Table V-5, Vitamin Table). Further, they suggest that a higher intake may be needed during pregnancy and lactation. 

Estimated safe and adequate intakes of potassium are given in the section on MINERAL(S), Table M-25, Mineral Table. The levels of potassium suggested in this table were calculated from the sodium intakes in order to achieve equivalent amounts of potassium on a molar basis. Older individuals need relatively less potassium than the rapidly growing infant, but an equivalent intake of potassium appears to be somewhat protective against the blood pressure elevating effects of a given level of sodium. 

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