{"id":150302312327,"date":"2022-09-10T23:54:31","date_gmt":"2022-09-11T03:54:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/?p=150302312327"},"modified":"2026-01-08T14:59:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T19:59:45","slug":"problems-with-the-rda-rdi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/problems-with-the-rda-rdi\/","title":{"rendered":"Problems with the RDA\/RDI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>However, the RDAs come with several pitfalls, especially within the data used to establish these supplementation recommendations. That means the RDAs typically underestimate the true individual nutritional needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, you will learn about different types of dietary reference intakes and the evidence behind how they can fall short in meeting many nutritional needs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of dietary reference intakes (DRI)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we explore the shortcomings of standard dietary recommendations, let\u2019s break down what different recommendations mean and are used for. These recommendations fall under the umbrella of dietary reference intakes (DRI), which are defined quantitative nutrient estimates for healthy individuals.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-1\"><\/span> Originally, only RDAs existed before the broader DRIs were introduced. They contain several other factors that can help estimate required nutrient intake.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-2\"><\/span> The most common DRIs include the following:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/11-1-1-1024x682.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-150302312334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/11-1-1-1024x682.png 1024w, https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/11-1-1-768x511.png 768w, https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/11-1-1-1536x1023.png 1536w, https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/11-1-1.png 1622w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Recommended daily allowance\/intake (RDA\/RDI) and estimated average requirement (EAR)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The recommended dietary allowance or intake refers to the average amount of a given nutrient that will sufficiently meet the nutritional requirements of 97-98% of the population.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-1\"><\/span> Notice that the RDA does not define the levels of nutrients required for optimal health\u2013only for sufficient health.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-3\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Setting up the RDA involves establishing an estimated daily requirement (EAR).<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-4\"><\/span> To calculate RDA, statisticians calculate the standard deviation of the EAR, which is how much the numbers differ from the average EAR.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-1\"><\/span> Then, the standard deviation is multiplied by a factor of 2, then added to the original EAR value. The formula looks like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>RDA = 2*SD+EAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One major pitfall of this system is that if an EAR cannot be set due to a lack of relevant data, experts won\u2019t set an RDA.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-1\"><\/span> For this reason, enzymes and probiotics do not have an RDA set because no data exists to estimate them adequately. However, numerous studies have shown that these are beneficial and should be consumed regularly.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-5\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-6\"><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Adequate intake<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Adequate intake (AI) is set when insufficient evidence exists to establish a standard RDA.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-2\"><\/span> AI values can be calculated from experimentally derived approximations.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-1\"><\/span> Alternatively, experts create them based on general observations of the average nutrient requirements of the overall population.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-1\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI is more geared towards outlining estimations for individual intake because it does not require the same statistical calculations as the RDA.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-4\"><\/span> For example, the nutritional content estimations of mother\u2019s milk represent one of AI&#8217;s most prominent uses to determine infants&#8217; nutritional needs.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-1\"><\/span> The AI for the mother\u2019s milk is set to the average intake of milk estimated to keep infants healthy.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-1\"><\/span> For larger infants, the real requirement may exceed AI, and for smaller ones, it may dip below the standard AI recommended.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-4\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tolerable upper intake level (UL)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The tolerable upper intake level is defined as current data present as the highest tolerable amount of a certain nutrient.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-1\"><\/span> It is believed that if intake rises above the UL, the risk of adverse reactions to a certain nutrient will also increase.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-4\"><\/span> Some experts claim that no clear benefit exists when consuming nutrients above the RDA and AI limits.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-1\"><\/span> (However, some studies have established caveats and exceptions as we will cover later in this article.) As a result, they define the tolerable upper limits as \u201ctolerable\u201d rather than directly beneficial.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-4\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How the government came up with the RDA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/21-1-1024x684.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-150302312335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/21-1-1024x684.png 1024w, https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/21-1-768x513.png 768w, https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/21-1-1536x1025.png 1536w, https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/21-1.png 1618w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Before the early 1910s, no one knew much about essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-3\"><\/span> Thiamine, the first identified vitamin, was found to treat a condition known as beriberi, which causes listlessness, difficulty moving, and eventual paralysis.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-7\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the discovery of thiamine and its subsequent naming as vitamin B1, most other vitamins were discovered by the mid-20th century and found to treat different dietary deficiencies.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-3\"><\/span> For example, scurvy, which causes gum bleeding and loss of immune function, occurs due to vitamin C insufficiency.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-3\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Originally, doctors and researchers aimed to address diseases like beriberi and scurvy with dietary treatment approaches.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-3\"><\/span> For example, beriberi could be treated by simply substituting brown rice for white rice in the diets of Asian population groups.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-3\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-7\"><\/span> The brown husk of the rice contains high levels of thiamine, and patients who ate brown rice would see their beriberi symptoms resolve rapidly.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-7\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, because chemically synthesizing vitamins is efficient and profitable, individual nutrient guidelines quickly supplanted whole-food guidelines.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-3\"><\/span> Additionally, the discovery of single-nutrient deficiencies resulted in food fortification, where food scientists would add extra vitamin or nutrient isolates.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-3\"><\/span> Global iodine deficiencies encouraged salt companies to add extra iodine to their salt.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-8\"><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first official RDA guidelines were published in 1941, but they did not start serving as a reference point for food labeling until 1972.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-9\"><\/span> Food policy in the US became primarily focused on helping the general population meet the RDA for the most important nutrients.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-9\"><\/span> In 1980, the US government began systematizing specific nutritional recommendations, as well as setting ULs.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-3\"><\/span> The RDAs were then revisited and revised in 1993 when a committee of various nutritional experts began to see some of the obvious flaws within the RDA system.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-9\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why the RDA tends not to be adequate to keep you healthy&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/31-1-1-1024x682.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-150302312336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/31-1-1-1024x682.png 1024w, https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/31-1-1-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/31-1-1-1536x1023.png 1536w, https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/31-1-1.png 1621w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, most people aren\u2019t even hitting their RDAs each day.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-10\"><\/span> Coincidentally, chronic illness and obesity levels have skyrocketed in the past half-century.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-11\"><\/span> Often, the suboptimal nutrient levels contribute to the development of these health conditions.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-12\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, RDAs estimate nutrient levels for healthy individuals.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-13\"><\/span> Resultantly, in many cases, the RDA is not sufficient for people dealing with chronic illness and nutrient deficiencies.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-2\"><\/span> Here are four major reasons why the RDAs may not be sufficient for you if you suffer from chronic illness or poor nutrient levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Lack of personalization&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>RDAs are not personalized based on age, activity levels, and other lifestyle factors since they provide just a basic framework for children and adults.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-13\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-14\"><\/span> While experts have begun to consider the role the environment can play in suboptimal nutrition, the current RDAs do not have clear personalized guidelines.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-15\"><\/span> Their very nature prevents personalization, as they are calculated based on the average needs of 97-98% of the population.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-1\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, as mentioned previously, RDAs only provide guidelines for healthy individuals.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-15\"><\/span> Over 45% of the US population are currently diagnosed with at least 1 chronic illness, which means that RDAs cannot be fully applicable to roughly 148,275,000 million people.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-16\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-17\"><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The revision of RDAs and incorporating them into DRIs are beginning to address this problem.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-2\"><\/span> However, researchers must conduct more studies to generate more accurate nutrient intake estimates for people with chronic illnesses.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-2\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-3\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-18\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Food grown in nutrient-depleted soil&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many foods that used to be nutrient dense just don\u2019t pack the same punch as they did 50 years ago.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-19\"><\/span> Soil quality has drastically plummeted globally, and foods that used to deliver optimal levels of nutrients no longer can.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-20\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-21\"><\/span> The use of nitrogen fertilizer can severely deplete soil nutrients, meaning individuals may need extra supplementation to make up for lost soil nutrients.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-22\"><\/span> Currently, there is no mention of specific recommendations regarding nutrient loss due to soil within the RDAs or DRIs.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-3\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-22\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Modern stress and toxic exposure deplete nutrient levels&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The continual stresses and toxins presented by modern life, from food additives to work stress to pollutants, can continually deplete nutrient levels.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-23\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-24\"><\/span> Stress depletes several key nutrients, including magnesium, zinc, calcium, and niacin.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-23\"><\/span> Toxic exposure to substances like pollutants, mold, and pesticides can also severely deplete nutrients over time.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-24\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-25\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-26\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Preexisting suboptimal nutrient levels&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/axZPy__WqezXNtTuN1LJF6EZx9hLIj72mbKXTIoeSwWM5X8oemyGaDqiLrK29MfhzUOpxvnLMrWtW9zj0VmxdeGLFKxTLKYhnXxiKSgi0hokXgA5rr59ovuLHr6WFcHKTWT0Bnn1KLHTtc-pQr71NINT2wivb8b5LXvg_JPbK1OZhhoHU_Rtvlxc\" alt=\"\" title=\"Chart\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Data source: <a href=\"https:\/\/lpi.oregonstate.edu\/mic\/micronutrient-inadequacies\/overview\">https:\/\/lpi.oregonstate.edu\/mic\/micronutrient-inadequacies\/overview<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As seen in the above chart, many people are already functioning on suboptimal levels of vital nutrients. Several different factors can also compound the deficiencies, such as poor digestion and nutrient absorption.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-27\"><\/span> Some people also cannot absorb or activate certain nutrients well due to genetic variants.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-27\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-28\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people may also experience poor nutrient synthesis, where they cannot produce enough of one nutrient.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-29\"><\/span> For example, individuals with an impaired microbiome may not be able to synthesize proper levels of vitamin B.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-29\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consequences of suboptimal nutrient levels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/41-1-1-1024x684.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-150302312337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/41-1-1-1024x684.png 1024w, https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/41-1-1-768x513.png 768w, https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/41-1-1-1536x1027.png 1536w, https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/41-1-1.png 1616w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In the past, nutritional science primarily focused on eliminating outright nutrient deficiencies.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-3\"><\/span> But recently, nutritional experts have begun recognizing suboptimal nutrient levels as a serious threat.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-2\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-30\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-31\"><\/span> They do not always cause debilitating symptoms the way outright nutrient deficiencies do, such as in the case of beriberi and scurvy.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-3\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-31\"><\/span> However, they can continually undermine your optimal well-being.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-12\"><\/span> The following are examples\u2013not an exhaustive list\u2013of frank nutrient deficiencies vs suboptimal nutrient levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vitamin C<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Severe vitamin C deficiency causes clinically presentable scurvy with characteristic symptoms such as bleeding gums, spots on the skin, and intense joint pain.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-32\"><\/span> However, less severe vitamin C deficiency can cause latent scurvy, which often presents as muscle pain, fatigue, and irritability.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-31\"><\/span> Because latent scurvy does not present as severe or distinct symptoms, it can regularly go undiagnosed and untreated.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-31\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vitamin D<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As with vitamin C, a clear distinction exists between severe vitamin D deficiency and suboptimal vitamin D levels.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-30\"><\/span> Rickets, a disease often caused by vitamin D deficiency, presents with many severe symptoms such as bone weakness.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-33\"><\/span> The clinical presentation of suboptimal levels is reduced in severity. Today, vitamin D fortification in dairy products has dramatically reduced severe deficiency.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-30\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nevertheless, vitamin D deficiency can lead to chronic symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, and bone pain.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-30\"><\/span> Low blood vitamin D also correlates with increased all-cause mortality, obesity, cardiovascular risk, dysregulated hormone levels, depression, autoimmune diseases, and many more conditions.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-34\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-35\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-36\"><\/span> Eventually, insufficient vitamin D can lead to hyperparathyroidism, calcium deficiency, and eventually osteoporosis.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-30\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When looking at vitamin D deficiency based on RDA, the NIH states that 1 in 4 people are deficient in the vitamin.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-37\"><\/span> However, one hospital found that roughly 94% of elderly patients admitted had serum levels of vitamin D below the optimal range defined at 80 nmol\/L.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-38\"><\/span> Additionally, 11% of these patients presented with severe vitamin D deficiency.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-38\"><\/span> When the hospital staff had their vitamin D levels tested, a whopping 82% of them were found to be vitamin D-deficient.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-38\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Magnesium&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Deficiency in magnesium, a very important mineral for overall health, is also rampant in today\u2019s society.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-39\"><\/span> Magnesium deficiency often goes undetected, because serum magnesium levels&nbsp; do not always reflect the actual amount of magnesium present in cells.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-40\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Older studies based on RDA estimated that magnesium deficiency occurred in 15-20% of the population.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-41\"><\/span> However, recent research indicates that over half the US population has some form of low-level magnesium deficiency, which can still cause symptoms like fatigue, muscle tension, and nervousness.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-42\"><\/span> In the long run, low magnesium can affect cardiovascular health, play a role in diabetes development, interfere with sleep quality, and affect mental health.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-43\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-44\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-45\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over 50% of the population does not even meet standard RDAs for magnesium.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-39\"><\/span> Furthermore, experts have called for a reexamination of the magnesium RDA, because many individuals require higher dosages to function optimally.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-46\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Calcium<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Another highly important mineral, calcium, is reported as deficient in over 40% of the US population, although an estimated 20% of adults actually exceed the calcium RDA.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-47\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-48\"><\/span> Calcium deficiency can result in bone weakening and loss, and it can also affect the muscles because calcium plays a vital role in the signaling necessary for contracting and relaxing muscles.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-47\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, increasing calcium supplementation or fortification alone may not always be beneficial.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-49\"><\/span> If the body is not equipped to properly absorb it, excess calcium can build up in soft tissues, leading to very serious conditions including cardiovascular diseases.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-48\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-49\"><\/span> Calcium works with vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium, and several other nutrients. Resultantly, people trying to increase calcium intake without adding other nutrients that work with it can actually do more harm than good, especially if they already have too much.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-48\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion: Dealing with suboptimal nutrient levels is essential<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While RDAs by design prevent outright nutrient deficiencies, they are often ill-equipped to provide insight on how to manage suboptimal nutrient levels, especially in people who have chronic illness.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-2\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-12\"><\/span> Also, if you\u2019re already deficient in a nutrient, sticking to the RDA to address that deficiency is analogous to filling a dried up lake with a spoon.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To address some of these nutrient deficiencies, many practitioners prescribe an initial loading dose before stepping down to a maintenance dose.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-50\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-51\"><\/span> Researchers have already reported several positive examples of improved health that occurred due to increasing nutrient intake above the RDA.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-50\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-52\"><\/span> For patients dealing cardiovascular disease, magnesium supplementation doses of up to 800 mg, which is twice the RDA, have proven to effectively regulate blood pressure.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-52\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, pregnant women who struggle with vitamin D deficiency may benefit from taking up to 4000 IU, ten times the normal RDA.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-53\"><\/span> Many conflicting reports and recommendations exist for vitamin D\u2019s RDA, which was set to 400 IU\/day.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-50\"><\/span> However, many researchers and clinicians have realized that higher doses of vitamin D can benefit the body without causing adverse side effects.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-54\"><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the current tolerable uptake level for vitamin D is set at 10,000 IU, many doctors have begun to prescribe doses far above that.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-50\"><\/span><span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-54\"><\/span> For daily use, some clinicians recommend up to 15,000 IU per day.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-50\"><\/span> For those with severe deficiency, doctors may prescribe a vitamin D dosage as high as 50,000 IU per day for a couple weeks, before recommending patients retest.<span class=\"custom-citation\" data-id=\"ref-54\"><\/span>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking to replenish your nutrient deficiencies, we recommend working with a qualified naturopathic doctor or nutritionist. They can order a test for you to determine your nutrient levels and prescribe an appropriate protocol to bring your nutrient levels into optimal ranges.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-builder-content fl-builder-content-150302315202 fl-builder-template fl-builder-module-template fl-builder-global-templates-locked\" data-post-id=\"150302315202\"><div class=\"fl-module fl-module-html fl-node-64abdc38e112c\" data-node=\"64abdc38e112c\">\n\t<div class=\"fl-module-content fl-node-content\">\n\t\t<div class=\"fl-html\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/shop\/products\/bioptimized-digestive-health-stack?gl=64939dab3f5d60ca438b4567\" title=\"BIOptimize Digestive Health Stack\" style=\"outline:none;text-decoration:none;border:0;\" target=\"_blank\">\n<picture>\n    <source media=\"(max-width: 640px) and (min-width: 1px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fb-v1.cdn-bio.com\/assets\/uploads\/2011-1ee3-bcab-4c69_Massz-HCL-Probiotic_Mobile.png\" type=\"image\/jpg\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/fb-v1.cdn-bio.com\/assets\/uploads\/11d2-0bc0-7142-4bbf_Massz-HCL-Probiotic-Desktop.png\" type=\"image\/jpg\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fb-v1.cdn-bio.com\/assets\/uploads\/11d2-0bc0-7142-4bbf_Massz-HCL-Probiotic-Desktop.png\" load=\"lazy\" alt=\"BIOptimize your digestion\">\n<\/picture>\n<\/a>\n<center>Ad<\/center>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Once you start becoming more health conscious, you may look to start supplementing to truly take your health and wellbeing to the next level. If this is the case, you may find yourself starting by checking out the recommended daily allowance, or recommended daily intake (RDA\/RDI) for individual nutrients, vitamins, and minerals<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":150302312336,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-150302312327","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nutrition"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Problems with the RDA\/RDI - BIOptimizers Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/problems-with-the-rda-rdi\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Problems with the RDA\/RDI - BIOptimizers Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Once you start becoming more health conscious, you may look to start supplementing to truly take your health and wellbeing to the next level. 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