In:
Public Health Nutrition, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 15, No. 5 ( 2012-05), p. 906-915
Abstract:
To signal key issues for harmonising approaches for establishing micronutrient recommendations by explaining observed variation in recommended intakes of folate, vitamin B 12 , Fe and Zn for adults and elderly people. Design We explored differences in recommended intakes of folate, vitamin B 12 , Fe and Zn for adults between nine reports on micronutrient recommendations. Approaches used for setting recommendations were compared as well as eminence-based decisions regarding the selection of health indicators indicating adequacy of intakes and the consulted evidence base. Results In nearly all reports, recommendations were based on the average nutrient requirement. Variation in recommended folate intakes (200–400 μg/d) was related to differences in the consulted evidence base, whereas variation in vitamin B 12 recommendations (1·4–3·0 μg/d) was due to the selection of different CV (10–20 %) and health indicators (maintenance of haematological status or basal losses). Variation in recommended Fe intakes (men 8–10 mg/d, premenopausal women 14·8–19·6 mg/d, postmenopausal women 7·5–10·0 mg/d) was explained by different assumed reference weights and bioavailability factors (10–18 %). Variation in Zn recommendations (men 7–14 mg/d, women 4·9–9·0 mg/d) was also explained by different bioavailability factors (24–48 %) as well as differences in the consulted evidence base. Conclusions For the harmonisation of approaches for setting recommended intakes of folate, vitamin B 12 , Fe and Zn across European countries, standardised methods are needed to (i) select health indicators and define adequate biomarker concentrations, (ii) make assumptions about inter-individual variation in requirements, (iii) derive bioavailability factors and (iv) collate, select, interpret and integrate evidence on requirements.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1368-9800
,
1475-2727
DOI:
10.1017/S1368980011002643
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2012
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2016337-X
SSG:
21
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