Dietary Reference Intakes: Vitamin A (retinol)

Special Note

[recommendations reflect vitamin A intake from all sources]

Info: expressed in mcg of Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE); 1 mcg RAE = 3.3 units retinol = 3.3 units supplemental beta-carotene = 20 units dietary beta-carotene = 40 units dietary alpha-carotene or beta-cryptoxanthin

General Information

[primary functions]

required for normal vision, gene expression, reproduction, embryonic development, growth, immune function

[selected sources]

preformed vitamin A (retinol): liver, dairy products, eggs, fish; provitamin A (carotenoids): deep orange and dark green fruits/vegetables

Dietary Reference Intake

[0-6 mo]

400 mcg/day; Info: total preformed vitamin A intake >600 mcg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[7-11 mo]

500 mcg/day; Info: total preformed vitamin A intake >600 mcg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[1-3 yo]

300 mcg/day; Info: total preformed vitamin A intake >600 mcg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[4-8 yo]

400 mcg/day; Info: total preformed vitamin A intake >900 mcg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[9-13 yo]

600 mcg/day; Info: total preformed vitamin A intake >1700 mcg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[14-18 yo, females]

700 mcg/day; Info: incr. to 750 mcg/day if pregnant, 1200 mcg/day if breastfeeding; total preformed vitamin A intake >2800 mcg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[14-18 yo, males]

900 mcg/day; Info: total preformed vitamin A intake >2800 mcg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[19 yo and older, females]

700 mcg/day; Info: incr. to 770 mcg/day if pregnant, 1300 mcg/day if breastfeeding; total preformed vitamin A intake >3000 mcg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[19 yo and older, males]

900 mcg/day; Info: total preformed vitamin A intake >3000 mcg/day associated with incr. adverse effects