In this episode (which is Part 2 of our micronutrient series), Greg and Lyndsey discuss nutrient targets: where they come from, what they mean, and how to think about them. They also talk about the relative imprecision of micronutrient tracking, why micronutrient content can differ so much within a single food, and why it can be challenging to track your micronutrient intake in the first place.

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TIME STAMPS

Intro (0:00)

Recommendations and good vibes (0:20)

Lyndsey – Bottoms movie
Davie High fight club news report
Greg – Telemarketers docu-series
Reply All “Long Distance” podcast episodes

Housekeeping notes (8:45)

MacroFactor Annual Report

Recommended products and more from the SBS team (11:50)

Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.
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MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly.

Episode 1 in the Micronutrient Series

History of RDAs and Government Micronutrient Recommendations (14:53)

DRI development retrospective

Ongoing DRV-related publications from the EFSA

Micronutrient series on the website

Micronutrient content in the MacroFactor knowledge base

Understanding Micronutrient Targets and the DRI Framework (37:13)

General framework
How ULs are determined
Vitamin A toxicity

How EARs, RDAs, and LTIs are Determined (59:52)

EFSA publication on calcium, used as an example
Figure showing data used to define calcium DRVs (from this article)

General discussion of the implications of imprecise research and large inter-individual variability (1:21:21)

Note: I was right about magnesium, and wrong about calcium. Calcium carbonate is the more common version in supplements (not oxide). Chelated calcium is generally a bit better than calcium carbonate, but the difference between calcium carbonate and chelated calcium isn’t NEARLY as large as the difference between magnesium oxide and chelated magnesium.

The relative imprecision of micronutrient tracking (and WHY micronutrient content can differ so much within a single food) (1:49:30)

Why it can be challenging to track your micronutrient intake in the first place (2:22:27)

Nutrient reporting frequencies in the UK graphic: (from this study, discussed in this article)

Wrap-up and conclusions (2:28:39)

Considerably higher rates of vitamin D deficiencies with darker skin at higher latitudes

Depressing final thought (2:35:49)

Learn more and donate to GAIN

Cool, less depressing final thought (2:42:16)

Fun video about cod and the Vikings

MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM

Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.
Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.
Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.
BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.
MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly.

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