Table 1.
Recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for non-pregnant women and estimated average requirements (EAR), RDA, and tolerable upper intake level (UL) for pregnant women. Adapted from Medeiros et al. [63], Kominiarek et al. [17], and Allen [27].
| Nutrient | RDA, Adult Non-Pregnant Women | EAR, Pregnancy | RDA, Pregnancy | UL, Pregnancy | Justifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A (μg/day) | 700 | 550 | 770 | 3000 | Regulation of genome expression and in cell differentiation |
| Vitamin D (μg/day) | 15 | 10 | 15 | 100 | Mineralization of the fetal skeleton and decreased risk of hypocalcemia accidents and symptomatic osteomalacia |
| Vitamin E (mg/day) | 15 | 12 | 15 | 1000 | – |
| Vitamin K (μg/day) | 90 | – | 90 | none | – |
| Vitamin B1 (mg/day) | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.4 | none | – |
| Vitamin B2 (mg/day) | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.4 | none | – |
| Vitamin B3 (mg/day) | 14 | 14 | 18 | 35 | – |
| Vitamin B6 (mg/day) | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 100 | Relieve nausea in early pregnancy |
| Vitamin B9 (μg/day) | 400 | 520 | 600 | 1000 | Decreases the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects |
| Vitamin B12 (mg/day) | 2.4 | 2.2 | 2.6 | none | – |
| Vitamin C (mg/day) | 75 | 70 | 85 | 2000 | – |
| Calcium (mg/day) | 1000 | 800 | 1000 | 2500 | Mineralization of the fetal skeleton Prevents pre-eclampsia |
| Iodine (μg/day) | 150 | 160 | 220 | 1100 | Maintenance of thyroid homeostasis |
| Iron (mg/day) | 18 | 22 | 27 | 45 | Decreases the risk of having a low birth weight or a premature baby |
| Magnesium (mg/day) | 320 | 290 | 350 | 350 | Involvement in the occurrence of hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm labor, or intrauterine growth retardation |
| Phosphorus (mg/day) | 700 | 580 | 700 | 3500 | – |
| Selenium (μg/day) | 55 | 49 | 60 | 400 | – |
| Zinc (mg/day) | 8 | 9.5 | 11 | 40 | Involvement in cell division, protein synthesis and growth, nucleic acid metabolism |