Nutrient intake in the U.S. diet comes from naturally occurring sources, fortification/enrichment, and dietary supplements (DSs). This study analyzed data from NHANES 2009–2012 to assess how these sources contribute to meeting Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for 15 micronutrients across various population groups.
Key Points:
- Nutrient intake from natural sources alone left significant gaps, with ≥40% of the population falling below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for 8 of 14 nutrients, including vitamin D, A, and folate.
- Enrichment and fortification reduced the percentage of individuals below the EAR for several nutrients, including vitamins A (35%), C (34%), and iron (2%).
0 Dietary supplements further improved nutrient adequacy, particularly for vitamin D and other critical nutrients. - Adolescents aged 9–18 had a higher prevalence of nutrient shortfalls (14–50%) compared to younger children aged 2–8.
- Excess nutrient intake above the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) was uncommon, except among 2–8-year-olds for folate (41.7%), niacin (10.1%), and zinc (39.9%).
This study highlights the critical role of fortification and supplementation in addressing nutrient deficiencies and underscores the importance of promoting balanced dietary patterns to improve nutrient intake.
