• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.sup1
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• pp.126-133
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• 2022

Choline is a water-soluble organic compound that is important for the normal functioning of the body. It is an essential dietary component as de novo synthesis by the human body is insufficient. Since the United States set the Adequate Intakes (AIs) for total choline as dietary reference values in 1998, Australia, China, and the European Union have also established the choline AIs. Although choline is clearly essential to life, the 2020 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) has not established the values because very few studies have been done on choline intake in Koreans. Since choline intake levels differ by race and country, human studies on Koreans are essential to set KDRIs. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to provide basic data for developing choline KDRIs in the future by analyzing data on choline intake in Koreans to date and reference values of choline intake and dietary choline intake status by country and race.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.430-440
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• 2022

Selenium is an important trace mineral that plays an essential role in maintaining the body's immunity with oxidative stress defense and antioxidant activity, immunity, thyroid hormone control, defense against drug or heavy metal harm, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. A selenium deficiency increases the risk of various chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological disease, osteoarthritis, muscle necrosis and weakness, thyroid disease, and inflammatory diseases. This paper explains the criteria for establishing and revising selenium in the 2020 Dietary Reference Intake for Koreans (KDRIs) and reviews the current status of the selenium database and suggestions for setting the 2025 KDRIs in the future. In the 2020 KDRIs, the selenium intake with the maximum plasma selenoprotein P level was used as the criteria. The weight and coefficient of the variation were applied to the Chinese' reported values. Compared to 2015 KDRIs, there were some revisions in the selenium dietary reference intakes by gender and age according to the change in reference weight. To improve and revise selenium dietary reference intakes in the future, a selenium intervention study is needed to determine the maximum level of plasma selenoprotein P in Koreans. In addition, a revision of the selenium database of the nutritional assessment program (CAN-Pro 5.0) is needed. An analysis of the selenium content of foods should be expanded to assess the selenium intake accurately. In addition, research on the relationship between selenium intake and the biological indicators in the body is required for healthy people and subjects of special environments, such as patients and athletes with various oxidative stress.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.sup1
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• pp.113-125
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• 2022

In the current years, it has now become necessary to establish standards for micronutrient intake based on scientific evidence. This review discusses issues related to the development of the 2020 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRI) for magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), and future research directions. Following issues were encountered when establishing the KDRI for these minerals. First, characteristics of Korean subjects need to be applied to estimate nutrient requirements. When calculating the estimated average requirement (EAR), the KDRI used the results of balance studies for Mg absorption and factorial analysis for Zn, which is defined as the minimum amount to offset endogenous losses for Zn and Mg. For Cu, a combination of indicators, such as depletion/repletion studies, were applied, wherein all reference values were based on data obtained from other countries. Second, there was a limitation in that it was difficult to determine whether reference values of Mg, Zn, and Cu intakes in the 2020 KDRI were achievable. This might be due to the lack of representative previous studies on intakes of these nutrients, and an insufficient database for Mg, Zn, and Cu contents in foods. This lack of database for mineral content in food poses a problem when evaluating the appropriateness of intake. Third, data was insufficient to assess the adequacy of Mg, Zn, and Cu intakes from supplements when calculating reference values, considering the rise in both demand and intake of mineral supplements. Mg is more likely to be consumed as a multi-nutrient supplement in combination with other minerals than as a single supplement. Moreover, Zn-Cu interactions in the body need to be considered when determining the reference intake values of Zn and Cu. It is recommended to discuss these issues present in the 2020 KDRI development for Mg, Zn, and Cu intakes in a systematic way, and to find relevant solutions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.441-449
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• 2022

This review is focused on analyzing the limits and shortage of zinc (Zn) for the 2020 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs), and provides suggestions for the future establishment of the 2025 KDRIs for Zn. The 2020 KDRIs for Zn have been established to estimate the adequate requirement (EAR), recommended nutrient intakes (RNI), adequate intake (for only 0-5 mon) and tolerable upper intake level (UL). EAR was estimated in 2-stages: the first stage was to construct of the frame of analysis for Zn requirement and the second stage involved a factorial approach by considering the various factors which affect Zn requirement, such as intestinal and urine Zn loss, Zn requirement for growth and development, and Zn absorption rate. For a more precise and accurate establishment of the Zn requirement, we suggest for the following to be considered: 1) considering that Zn is present in minuscule amounts as a trace element in our body, the present values for Zn EAR (as 6-9 mg/d) should be expressed as a decimal point for more accurate DRIs; 2) the frame of analysis for Zn requirement has to be more specifically and should includes the factors which affect Zn requirement; 3) both, the factorial approach and extrapolation method need to be well reviewed and thoroughly understood for establishing precise Zn requirement; 4) currently, human clinical study and balance study (Zn intake, excretion and absorption rate) are limited and more human Zn subject studies are required. All these suggestions are provided to better establish the Zn requirement in the 2025 KDRIs.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.sup1
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• pp.89-112
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• 2022

An accurate assessment of the recommended calcium (Ca) intake may contribute to reducing the risk of fractures and chronic diseases, ultimately improving quality of life. This review was performed to summarize key findings of Ca studies, investigate the effect of Ca intake on health outcomes, and determine the adequacy of evidence to revise the 2015 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) for Ca in 2020. Databases were searched for intervention studies that assessed health outcomes by providing Ca in diets or as supplements. The framework of the systematic review comprised conducting literature searches, data extraction, quality assessment of the literature, and summarizing key findings relevant to set the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for Ca for the 2020 KDRI. The final search was performed in June 2019. A total of 13,309 studies were identified through databases and manual search. Sixtyfive studies were included in the final quality assessment and were summarized according to health indicators. As bone health was used as an indicator of the EAR for Ca, literature reports on bone health were further categorized by the life-cycle stage of the participants. This systematic review did not find new evidence that could be applied to the general Korean adult population, including postmenopausal women, for defining a new EAR for Ca in the 2020 KDRIs. Evidence in most of the reviewed literature was considered weak; however, some evidence was found that could improve the criteria on how the EAR for Ca was determined in children and adolescents. A review of the literature for the 2020 KDRIs for Ca did not find strong evidence in order to change the recommended values of the 2015 KDRIs. More clinical interventions are required among Koreans to strengthen the body of evidence to warrant the revision of the KDRIs.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.sup1
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• pp.57-69
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D is produced in the skin during sun exposure and is also ingested from foods. The role of vitamin D needs to be considered in the prevention and management of various diseases. Moreover, since the majority of Koreans spend their days indoors, becoming susceptible to the risk of vitamin D deficiency. The current study aims to prepare a basis for determining dietary reference intake of vitamin D in Korea, by reviewing the evidence against various diseases and risks. MATERIALS/METHODS: Literature published in Korea and other countries between 2014 and 2018 was prioritized based on their study design and other criteria, and evaluated using the RoB 2.0 assessment form and United States Department of Agriculture Nutrition Evidence Library Conclusion Statement Evaluation Criteria. RESULTS: Of the 1,709 studies, 128 studies were included in the final systematic analysis after screening. To set the dietary reference intakes of vitamin D based on the selected articles, blood 25(OH)D levels and indicators of bone health were used collectively. Blood vitamin D levels and ultraviolet (UV) exposure time derived from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed to establish the dietary reference intakes of vitamin D for each stage of the life cycle. The adequate intake levels of vitamin D, according to age and gender, were determined to be in the range of 5-15 ㎍/day, and the tolerable upper intake level was established at 25-100 ㎍/day. CONCLUSIONS: The most important variable for vitamin D nutrition is lifestyle. A balanced diet comprising foods with high contents of vitamin D is important, as is vitamin D synthesis after UV exposure. The adequate intake level of vitamin D mentioned in the 2015 Dietary Reference Intakes for Korean (KDRI) remained unchanged in the 2020 KDRI for the management of vitamin D nutrition in Koreans.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.sup1
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• pp.70-88
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• 2022

Sodium is a physiologically essential nutrient, but excessive intake is linked to the increased risk of various chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular. It is, therefore, necessary to accomplish an evidence-based approach and establish the Korean Dietary Reference Intakes (KDRIs) index, to identify both the nutritional adequacy and health effects of sodium. This review presents the rationale for and the process of revising the KDRIs for sodium and, more importantly, establishing the sodium Chronic Disease Risk Reduction Intake (CDRR) level, which is a new specific set of values for chronic disease risk reduction. To establish the 2020 KDRIs for dietary sodium, the committee conducted a systematic literature review of the intake-response relationships between the selected indicators for sodium levels and human chronic diseases. In this review, 43 studies published from January 2014 to December 2018, using databases of PubMed and Web of Science, were finally included for evaluating the risk of bias and strength of evidence (SoE). We determined that SoE of the relationship between dietary sodium and cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular disease, and hypertension, was moderate to strong. However, due to insufficient scientific evidence, we were unable to establish the estimated average requirement and the recommended nutrient intake for dietary sodium. Therefore, the adequate intake of sodium for adults was established to be 1,500 mg/day, whereas the CDRR for dietary sodium was established at 2,300 mg/day for adults. Intake goal for dietary sodium established in the 2015 KDRIs instead of the tolerable upper intake level was not presented in the 2020 KDRIs. For the next revision of the KDRIs, there is a requirement to pursue further studies on nutritional adequacy and toxicity of dietary sodium, and their associations with chronic disease endpoint in the Korean population.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.447-458
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• 2020

This study assessed yearly trends of food and nutrient intake among high school students aged 16 to 18 years (n=2,377) using the 2007~2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Yearly trends of food or nutrient intake were analyzed via logistic regression analysis. The results showed that consumption of sugars & sweets, and beverages & alcohols was increased rapidly during this period (p<0.0001). Intake of meat & meat products, and fish & shellfish also was increased (p=0.0008). Intake of grains and grain products was increased until year 2011 but declined after 2012 (p=0.0025). Consumption of vegetables, and milk & milk products was decreased (p=0.0395). Intake of protein, fat, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and iron was increased (p=0.0445). Carbohydrate energy ratio was decreased, whereas fat energy ratio was increased (p=0.0235). Most nutrient intakes satisfied the dietary reference intakes for Koreans except dietary fiber (19.6~26.2%), calcium (46.9~55.2%) and sodium (more than 221.4%) during this period. There was a significant positive correlation between most food group intakes and most nutrient intakes (p=0.0468). Therefore, it is crucial to increase dietary fiber and calcium intake and decrease consumption of sugars, fats and sodium through diverse eating of food groups to ensure balanced nutrition of subjects.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.10-20
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• 2022

This article evaluated levels of Estimated Average Requirements (EARs), Reference Nutrient Intakes (RNIs), and Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDRs) of protein using the recently revised Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for Koreans (2020). Dietary protein requirements are based on amounts sufficient to satisfy physiological demands to accomplish nitrogen equilibrium. The same principle was applied to estimate EARs and RNIs, for adults in DRIs conducted in 2015 and 2020 in Koreans. EAR was estimated to be 0.73 g/kg body weight/day, according to data (0.66 g/kg body weight/day) obtained using the nitrogen balance method and adjusted by efficiency of protein use (90%). RNI was calculated as EAR increased by an amount equal to twice the standard deviation of an age group so as to cover 97.5% of the group and was found to be 0.91 g/kg body weight/day. For weaned infants, children, and adolescents, growth requirement was added to estimate EAR. In particular, growth requirement was adjusted by efficiency of protein use in the revised EAR, which led to higher EARs for weaned infants, children, and adolescents of both genders as compared with 2015 DRIs. The AMDR for protein was set at 7%-20% of energy intake, which was the same as 2015 DRIs. Current, average protein intake by the Korean population is almost twice times the EAR, which suggests it might be better to increase the minimal margin for AMDR. However, it was not adjusted in this revision due to lack of evidence.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.584-593
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• 2021

In the 2020 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans, an acceptable macronutrient distribution range (AMDR), similar to the one established in 2015, was determined for carbohydrates. AMDR is the ratio that signifies energy intake from carbohydrates to the total energy intake, and is a reference that indicates a decreasing risk of chronic diseases. The AMDR of carbohydrate was determined to be optimal at 55-65% for all ages above 1 year. For the first time, in the year 2020, the estimated average requirement (EAR) and recommended nutrient intake (RNI) for carbohydrates were established. The EAR was based on the amount of glucose used per day in the brain, and was set at 100 g/day for all ages above 1 year. The RNI was set at 130 g/day, by adding a double coefficient of variation using a 15% coefficient of variation, for all ages above 1 year. In pregnant women, the amount of glucose utilized by the fetus brain was considered additionally, and for lactating women the amount of lactose secreted into maternal milk was additionally taken into consideration. Since the EAR of carbohydrate indicates the minimum amount of glucose required by the brain and is not an appropriate intake amount as an energy source, it is incorrect to compare the carbohydrate intake with the EAR or RNI. To evaluate the nutritional status of carbohydrate, it is appropriate to use the AMDR. Carbohydrate intakes within the AMDR range has the possibility in reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Hence, it is important to consider the quality as well as quantity of carbohydrates consumed.