[Tolerable upper intake level on vitamins and minerals].

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Toxicology
• Public Health

Background:

• Safety assessments of vitamin and mineral intake are crucial for public health.
• Existing frameworks for establishing Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) exist in the US, UK, and Europe.
• International comparisons of nutrient ULs are needed to ensure consistent safety standards.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the scientific rationale behind establishing ULs, including risk assessment and uncertainty factors.
• To compare established ULs for key vitamins and minerals between China and the United States.
• To introduce novel concepts for ULs concerning specific micronutrients: Vitamin A, D, Calcium, Copper, Iodine, Phosphorus, Selenium, Iron, and Vanadium.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of safety assessments from authoritative bodies (US FNB, UK MAFF, European SCF).
• Comparative analysis of UL values for selected vitamins and minerals in Chinese and American dietary guidelines.
• Synthesis of emerging scientific concepts related to nutrient ULs.

Main Results:

• The rationale for ULs involves assessing adverse effects, dosage-response relationships, and applying uncertainty factors.
• Significant differences in ULs for several vitamins and minerals were observed between Chinese and American recommendations.
• New conceptual approaches for setting ULs for Vitamin A, D, Ca, Cu, I, P, Se, Fe, and V are proposed.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the scientific basis of ULs is essential for dietary guidance.
• International harmonization of ULs requires addressing discrepancies in methodologies and data.
• The proposed new concepts may refine future UL setting for specific micronutrients, enhancing nutritional safety.