Table 2.

Criteria to qualify for DRI evaluation and inclusion in DGAs. Adapted from [61].

Criterion	Additional Information
Commonly used definition of the substance	Definition matches method of analysis
A method of analyzing the substance consistent with the definition	Preferably validated by multi-center analysis
Database of the amount of the nutrient or bioactive in food (and supplements)	Preferably global and regularly updated
Prospective Cohort studies	Both sexes and showing relationship between outcome and dietary intake, or preferably biochemical or clinical indicator
Clinical trials on digestion, absorption, transport, and excretion of the substance	Important to understand level of intake, factors affecting absorption, metabolism, and excretion
Clinical trials on efficacy and dose–response	Conducted in healthy populations with bioactive being measured along with accepted endpoint or biomarker
Safety data at anticipated level of intake	Should include data from special populations, e.g., children, pregnant or lactating women
Systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses showing efficacy	Required by IOM for setting DRI and inclusion in DGA recommendations
A plausible biological explanation for efficacy	Not required but nevertheless important