consumed with food = 0.5 mcg of a supplement taken on an empty stomach. The UL for folate is expressed as mcg per day and applies to synthetic forms (i.e., folic acid) obtained from fortified foods or dietary supplements.

^e The UL applies only to preformed vitamin A (i.e., retinol).

^f In view of evidence linking folate intake with neural tube defects in the fetus, it is recommended that all women capable of becoming pregnant consume 400 mcg of folate as folic acid from fortified foods or supplements in addition to intake of food folate from a varied diet.

NOTES FOR TABLE F-2: AI = Adequate Intake, used when necessary, indicated by an asterisk (*); AT = -tocopherol; DFE = dietary folate equivalents; EAR = Estimated Average Requirement, used when available; ND = not determined, UL not determined due to lack of data of adverse effects; RDA = Recommended Dietary Allowance; UL = Tolerable Upper Intake Level.

DATA SOURCES: Institute of Medicine (IOM, 1997, 1998, 2000b, 2001) (see IOM, 2005b).