M.S

The RDA is the average daily intake that meets a nutrient requirement of 97 to 98 percent of healthy individuals. Al is a value listed when there’s insufficient research to determine an RDA; it can be viewed as a sort of “best guess.” UL is the highest level of intake that won’t pose a risk of adverse effects for most healthy people when used indefinitely on a daily basis without medical supervision.

To see RDAs and Als for various age groups and for women during pregnancy and lactation, see

. For further information online, see Resources on38

RDA—Recommended Dietary Allowance

UL—Tolerable Upper Intake Level

AI—Adequate Intake

DV—Daily Value

When foods are soaked and the soaking water discarded, some oxalates are

disposed of along with bound minerals. Research has shown that boiling can

reduce the total oxalate content in spinach by 60 percent and in lentils by 16

The body achieves peak bone mass by about age 28.