Vitamins

Vitamin A - Recommended Daily Intake (RDI)

Date reviewed: 5 July 2015 | Date updated: 5 July 2015

There is a recommended daily intake of vitamin A, which is the recommended minimum intake required to maintain good health.

There is also a tolerable upper intake, which is the maximum intake possible without causing any toxicity effects.

 

Recommended Daily Intake (RDI)

Lifestage	Age	Amount
INFANTS	0-6mths 7-12mths	400mcg (1320IU) 500mcg (1650IU)
CHILDREN	1-3yrs 4-8yrs	300mcg (1000IU) 400mcg (1320IU)
CHILDREN	9-13yrs male: 14-18yrs female: 14-18yrs	600mcg (2000IU) 900mcg (3000IU) 700mcg (2310IU)
ADULTS	male: 19-50yrs female: 19-50yrs	900mcg (3000IU) 700mcg (2310IU)
SENIORS	male: 51+yrs female: 51+yrs	900mcg (3000IU) 700mcg (2310IU)
PREGNANT	<18yrs 19-50yrs	750mcg (2500IU) 770mcg (2565IU)
LACTATING	<18yrs 19-50yrs	1200mcg (4000IU) 1300mcg (4300IU)

Tolerable Upper Limit

Lifestage	Age	Amount
INFANTS	0-12mths	600mcg (2000IU)
CHILDREN	1-3yrs 4-8yrs	600mcg (2000IU) 900mcg (3000IU)
CHILDREN	9-13yrs 14-18yrs	1700mcg (5610IU) 2800mcg (9240IU)
ADULTS	19-50yrs	3000mcg (10000IU)
SENIORS	51+yrs	3000mcg (10000IU)
PREGNANT	<18yrs 19-50yrs	2800mcg (9240IU) 2000mcg (10000IU)
LACTATING	<18yrs 19-50yrs	2800mcg (9240IU) 3000mcg (10000IU)

The tolerable upper limits should only be taken for short periods and only under medical supervision.

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Toxic Levels

Greater than 25,000IU per day

Greater than 8,000IU per day for females of child bearing age

Retinol Equivalents (IU and mcg)

The above recommended dietary allowances of Vitamin A are given in Retinol Equivalents (RE) of vitamin A (in mcg).

The following shows the International Unit (IU) equivalents of Vitamin A:

One Retinol Equivalent (RE) of Vitamin A (in mcg) =
   6 International Units (IU) from beta-carotene
   10 IU from other carotenoid-rich plant foods
   4.10 IU from milk and yogurt
   3.33 IU from animal sources and fortified foods

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