Explain about the Dietary Reference Intakes?

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are relatively new to the field of nutrition. The DRIs are a set of four nutrient-based reference values, that can be used for planning and evaluation of diets of individuals and population groups and are meant to replace the former RDAs of the US and RNIs of Canada. The DRIs are different from the RDAs and RNIs in three respects. These include:

1) Where specific data on safety and efficacy exist, reduction in the risk of chronic degenerative diseases is included in the formulation of the reference intakes rather than using only the absence of signs of deficiency.

2) Where data are adequate, upper levels of intake to prevent adverse consequences of excess are established i.e. the upper levels will tell you not to exceed these at usual takes, and,

3) Components of food that may not fit the traditional concept of an essential nutrient but nevertheless are shown to have beneficial effects for human health are reviewed, and if data permit, DRIs are established for these.