Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia
Advertisement

Recommended Daily Vitamin Intake Chart and Calculator


Why do We Need Vitamins?

Vitamins are chemical compounds that are essential for the growth, development and functioning of the cells in the body. They are also necessary for the absorption of nutrients into the body.
Vitamins are naturally found in many foods including fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains.

Worried about vitamin deficiency?
Are you taking too many vitamin pills in a day?
The Daily Vitamin Requirement Calculator can calculate your recommended daily intake of the vitamin, its sources, and the symptoms of its deficiency.

Daily Vitamin Intake Calculator

Select the Vitamin to Know its Daily Requirement

Vitamin A (Retinol) B1 (Thiamine)
B2 (Riboflavin) B6 (Pyridoxine)
B12 (Cobalamin) B3 Niacin (Nicotinamide or Nicotinic acid)
Folic acid Pantothenic acid (Vit. B5)
Biotin Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin D Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
Vitamin K

Vitamin chart

Daily RequirementSources
Vitamin A (Retinol)
  • Men: 900 mcg/day
  • Women: 700 mcg/day
Milk, cheese, butter green leafy vegetables, cabbage, carrot, red and yellow fruits (mangoes, papaya, tomato). Large amounts of Vitamin A are also found in fish liver oils (e.g. cod liver oil). As a thumb rule, normally all coloured fruits & vegetables have vitamin A.
B1 (Thiamine)
1.25 mg
Whole wheat, rice husk, brewer's yeast, peanuts, oat meal most vegetables, milk, legumes, pork, liver and meat.
B2 (Riboflavin)
1.50 mg
Whole grains and their products, milk and milk products, liver and meat and other foods which have Vit. B1.
B6 (Pyridoxine)
  • Men age (19-50) years:1.3 mg/day
  • Men above 50 years :1.7 mg/day
  • Women age (19-50) years:1.3 mg/day
  • Women above 50 years:1.5 mg/day
Germ wheat, bran, brewer's yeast, milk, banana, peanuts raisins, cabbage, lackdrop molasses, liver, kidney, fresh fish & meat.
B12 (Cobalamin)
6.0 Micrograms
Milk products, meat, eggs, liver.
B3 Niacin (Nicotinamide or Nicotinic acid)
  • Men:16 mg/day
  • Women:14 mg/day
Whole wheat, green vegetables, pulses and beans, peanuts, brewer's yeast, meat liver.
Folic acid
400 mcg/day
Fresh vegetables, legumes, milk, egg etc.
Pantothenic acid (Vit. B5)
10 mg
Whole wheat, bran, peas, brewer's yeast, molasses, liver and kidney.
Biotin
0.15 to 0.3 mg
Small quantities available in all food items. But maximum quantity available in the white part of egg.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
  • Men:90 mg/day
  • Women:75 mg/day
Sources of Vitamin C include sweet-sour (citrus) fruits, myrobalan, tomato, watermelon, pear, cabbage, pineapple, potato and green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin D
  • Age (1-70) years:15 mcg/day(600 IU, or international units) *
  • Age above 70 years :020 mcg/day (800 IU) *
Sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D. It also occurs in milk, eggs and some fish liver oils.
Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
12 to 15 I.U.
Milk, germinated wheat, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils (corn oil, cotton seed oil, soyabean oil), nuts and eggs are chief sources of this vitamin.
Vitamin K
1 to 2 mg.
It is found in wheat bran, green leafy vegetables, tomato, cauliflower, soyabean oil, vegetable oils, and liver.
Important Note: The daily vitamin requirement might vary according to the individual's health condition. Consult your doctor for the right amount of vitamins needed for you and stay healthy.
Advertisement

A few commonly used measuring units in this calculator are (1 Trusted Source
Vitamins and Minerals for Older Adults

Go to source
):
mg milligram
mcg microgram
IU international unit

What Vitamins Do We Need Daily?

We cannot synthesize vitamins or minerals and we need to rely on foods and food supplements for our everyday needs.There are thirteen essential vitamins, and they are divided into two categories, water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins.The water-soluble ones include vitamin C and the B group of vitamins. These are not stored by the body and are easily depleted (2 Trusted Source
Biochemistry, Water Soluble Vitamins

Go to source
). The fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E remain in the body for longer periods of time (3 Trusted Source
Biochemistry, Fat Soluble Vitamins

Go to source
).
The recommended daily vitamins are:Vitamin deficiency may result from a lack of vitamin intake. Hence, it is necessary to have a proper diet routine with balanced nutrients on a daily basis.
Both deficiency or overdose of vitamins can harm you (4 Trusted Source
The balance between food and dietary supplements in the general population

Go to source
).

Advertisement

Learn about Dietary Reference Intakes

Recommended Dietary Allowances for vitamins and minerals have been published since 1941 by the National Academy of Sciences (5 Trusted Source
What are Dietary Reference Intakes?

Go to source
).

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs)

DRIs are reference values that are quantitative estimates of the nutrient intake, which is useful in planning and assessing diets for healthy people. If you take more nutrients than required, it can adversely affect you, and if you take less, it may not meet your requirements to maintain good health.

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)

RDA is defined as the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all (97 to 98 percent of the population) healthy individuals in a group.

Adequate Intake (AI) Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)

UL is the highest level of daily nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects to almost all individuals in the general population. If the intake increases beyond the UL, the risk of adverse effects increases.

Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)

EAR is the nutrient intake value that is estimated to meet the requirements of half the healthy individuals in a group.

A Few Interesting Facts about Vitamins

  • Vitamin A is derived from carotenes present in various foods and alpha-carotenes are the richest sources of vitamin A.
  • The fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, & K, can be stored in the body fat and utilized for the bodys metabolism as and when required.
  • The water-soluble vitamins, B & C, cannot be stored in the body for too long, and any excess is excreted in the urine, thus necessitating the regular intake of these vitamins (2 Trusted Source
    Biochemistry, Water Soluble Vitamins

    Go to source
    ).
  • Smoking just one cigarette can destroy the equivalent amount of vitamin C contained in one orange (7 Trusted Source
    The influence of smoking on vitamin C status in adults

    Go to source
    ).
  • High doses of vitamin B6, which is used to combat premenstrual tension, can cause nerve damage (8 Trusted Source
    Efficacy of vitamin B-6 in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: systematic review

    Go to source
    ).
  • An over dose of vitamin A during pregnancy can harm the unborn child.
  • Did you know that food fortification and infant formula supplementation with high levels of vitamins, has led to a sharp increase in the prevalence of obesity and related diseases (9 Trusted Source
    Excess vitamin intake: An unrecognized risk factor for obesity

    Go to source
    ).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it good to take a multivitamin every day?

If you find it challenging to get the recommended amount of vitamins in your daily diet, taking one multivitamin per day can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle (10 Trusted Source
Do multivitamins make you healthier?

Go to source
).

2. What are the vitamins required for a woman during pregnancy?

All vitamins and minerals are important and should be taken through a healthy, balanced diet of different types of food. The following list of vitamins contains the most essential vitamins for women during pregnancy:

3. Can dietary supplements be harmful?

Dietary supplements are mostly safe, but certain supplements can raise your risk for new health problems, especially if you are also taking other medicines. It would be best if you always talked to your doctor or nurse before taking a dietary supplement (11 Trusted Source
Vitamins and minerals for women

Go to source
).

  • 1. Vitamins and Minerals for Older Adults
    (https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/vitamins-and-minerals-older-adults)
  • 2. Biochemistry, Water Soluble Vitamins
    (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538510/ )
  • 3. Biochemistry, Fat Soluble Vitamins
    (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534869/)
  • 4. The balance between food and dietary supplements in the general population
    (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6366563/)
  • 5. What are Dietary Reference Intakes?
    (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK45182/)
  • 6. Biochemistry, Water Soluble Vitamins
    (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538510/ )
  • 7. The influence of smoking on vitamin C status in adults
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2913833/)
  • 8. Efficacy of vitamin B-6 in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: systematic review
    (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC27878/)
  • 9. Excess vitamin intake: An unrecognized risk factor for obesity
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24567797/)
  • 10. Do multivitamins make you healthier?
    (https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/do-multivitamins-make-you-healthier)
  • 11. Vitamins and minerals for women
    (https://www.womenshealth.gov/healthy-eating/how-eat-health/vitamins-and-minerals-women)

Post a Comment

Comments should be on the topic and should not be abusive. The editorial team reserves the right to review and moderate the comments posted on the site.

Advertisement

Recommended Readings on Daily Vitamin Requirement

Chronic Dieting - Is it an Eating Disorder?
Chronic dieting is associated with eating disorders that mainly include unhealthy eating practices such as severe calorie restriction in diet of men or women who on a regular basis follow fad diets mainly to reduce weight.
All About Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an extremely vital vitamin needed for the eyes, skin, hair, immunity and during pregnancy. Lack of vitamin A can lead to night blindness.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Deficiency of vitamin B12 can result in hematological, neurological and psychological complications which are life-threatening.
Top 10 Health Benefits of Vitamin E for Skin, Hair and Eye
Start eating Vitamin E rich foods such as nuts and oilseeds, whole grains and green leafy vegetables and you can bid goodbye to most of your hair, eye and skin problems.
Test Your Knowledge on Multivitamins
Multivitamins are commonly taken by several healthy people, which may make you wonder if you need them. The following quiz will help you get a clearer view of the necessity and benefits of ...
Medical Management of Vitamin Deficiencies
Vitamins are essential for our body to grow and develop normally. Vitamin deficiencies are widespread. Understand the role of dietary sources in vitamin deficiency prevention.
Health Benefits of Cumin Seeds
Cumin seeds are used in numerous dishes in a variety of cuisines across the world. Find out how you can reap the health benefits of cumin seeds.
Iron Intake Calculator
This is a quick calculator to find out how much iron is needed for babies, girls, boys, men, women, pregnant and breast feeding women. The Intake Calculator also includes iron rich foods.
Vitamins - Myths and Facts
Many people take a daily dose of vitamins, believing in their magical properties. But, what science has to say is something completely different!
Sunlight: An Important Source of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin necessary for the development of bones. Sunlight helps the body to produce vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency results in rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.
Quiz on Nutrition IQ
With increasing health awareness, a lot of people are making sure that they eat nutritious food. A well-balanced diet is not only important for growing children, it is equally important for the middle-aged group as well as the elderly. But are your ...
Nutrition Education for Kids
Effective nutrition education in schools can eventually force children to rethink about their eating habits and form their own new ones.
Nutrition All Men Need
Everyone requires good nutrition, be it man, woman, child or elderly. However, nutrition that men need differs slightly from that required by women. Find out how ...
Vitamin Supplements
Easy to understand info & tips with diagrams about vitamin supplements like vitamin C, B6, B9 & B12. Latest research news on each vitamin's benefits and drawbacks for better consumer understanding.
Nine Wonder Foods to Beat Diabetes
Certain natural foods have unique ingredients that can enhance the health of people living with diabetes. Learn about them through this slideshow.
Height and Weight for Children
The height and weight calculator is a useful tool to ascertain the ideal height and weight of the children according to age and gender.
Ideal Body Weight
Calculate the ideal body weight for adults easily with Medindia's Ideal Body Weight Calculator.
Ideal Baby Weight
Calculate the ideal weight of your baby with Medindia's Infant weight calculator.

Consult Nutritionists Online

Dt. Vibha Palshetkar
Dt. Vibha Palshetkar
MSc, PGDip
18 years experience
View Profile
Dr. Rajan Handa
Dr. Rajan Handa
DEHM,BEMS,MDEH, NDDY, MDAM, Ph.D. Honorary, DNHE, Doctorate of Natural Medicine® / DNM®, Executive Therapist
26 years experience
View Profile
Dr. Sunita Malhotra
Dr. Sunita Malhotra
DDPHN, MSc
30 years experience
Pro Health Diet Clinic, Sector 37-C
View Profile
Dr. Namita Tulapurkar
Dr. Namita Tulapurkar
BAMS
21 years experience
View Profile

View All Nutritionists

Advertisement
Advertisement
Health Calculators A-Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Nutrition Utilities
View all
Advertisement
Advertisement

Get Health and Wellness Secrets from Our Engaging eBooks
Advertisement

This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close