U.S., Canada to Convene on Use of Chronic Disease Endpoints in DRI Reviews

Before embarking on further dietary reference intake (DRI) reviews, U.S. and Canadian DRI committees will first meet to discuss emerging challenges with using chronic disease endpoints when setting DRI nutrient values. The committees will hold a workshop on March 10-11, 2015, at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, to brainstorm related questions.

This meeting is deemed necessary because many nutrients currently nominated for DRI reviews are linked to new data on the nutrients’ relationships with chronic disease, says the Department of Health and Human Services. HHS says this meeting is necessary “given the clear need for more in-depth evaluation of the challenges involved in incorporating chronic disease endpoints into DRI processes prior to initiating a new DRI review.”

Omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, sodium, magnesium, and vitamin E are priority contenders for the next round of U.S. and Canadian DRI reviews. Those nutrients’ stakeholders will be keeping a close eye on the upcoming meeting, looking for clues as to when the DRI committees will make a decision on which nutrients to grant new DRI reviews.

DRI values indicate a nutrient’s intake level necessary for a healthy population, including the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), Adequate Intake (AI), and Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL).

Nutritional Outlook thanks the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (Salt Lake City) for the tip.

Jennifer Grebow
Editor-in-Chief
Nutritional Outlook magazine jennifer.grebow@ubm.com

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