Tolerable upper intake level

Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)

The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), pronounced as /ˈtɒlərəbəl ˈʌpər ˈɪntək ˈlɛvəl/, is a term used in Nutrition and Dietetics to refer to the highest level of daily nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects for almost all individuals in the general population.

Etymology

The term "Tolerable Upper Intake Level" is derived from the English language. The word "tolerable" comes from the Latin "tolerabilis", meaning "that may be endured", while "upper" and "intake" are from the Old English "upp" and "innan-tacan" respectively. The term "level" comes from the Latin "libella", meaning "balance, level".

Definition

As defined by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is the maximum amount of a nutrient that can be consumed daily without causing harm to the body. The UL is not a recommended level of intake, but rather a limit that should not be exceeded.

Calculation

The UL is determined by the Risk Assessment model developed by the IOM. This model takes into account the Median Intake (MI) and the Risk Factor (RF) for each nutrient. The UL is then calculated as the MI plus the RF.

Tolerable upper intake level

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