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DRI Dietary Reference Intakes: For Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline
Folate EAR and RDA Summary, Ages 19 through 50 Years
With greatest weight given to the metabolic maintenance study by O’Keefe along with data considered from the other studies reviewed above, it was concluded that the data support an EAR of approximately 320 µg/day of DFEs for the age group 19 through 50 years. A special recommendation is made for women capable of becoming pregnant (see “Recommendations for Neural Tube Defects Risk Reduction”).
EAR for Men
19–30 years
320 µg/day of dietary folate equivalents
31–50 years
320 µg/day of dietary folate equivalents
EAR for Women
19–30 years
320 µg/day of dietary folate equivalents
31–50 years
320 µg/day of dietary folate equivalents
The RDA for folate is set by assuming a coefficient of variation (CV) of 10 percent (see Chapter 1) because information is not available on the standard deviation of the requirement for folate; the RDA is defined as equal to the EAR plus twice the CV to cover the needs of 97 to 98 percent of the individuals in the group (therefore, for folate the RDA is 120 percent of the EAR).
RDA for Men
19–30 years
400 µg/day of dietary folate equivalents
31–50 years
400 µg/day of dietary folate equivalents
RDA for Women
19–30 years
400 µg/day of dietary folate equivalents
31–50 years
400 µg/day of dietary folate equivalents
Adults Ages 51 Years and Older
The aging process has not been associated with a reduction in the ability to utilize folate (Bailey et al., 1984). Folate status as measured by serum folate or erythrocyte folate has not been shown to decline as a function of age (Rosenberg, 1992; Selhub et al., 1993). In contrast, numerous reports indicate that homocysteine concentration increases as a function of age (Selhub et al., 1993). It has been postulated (Selhub et al., 1993) that this increase may result
