Beta-carotene or Retinol (Vitamin A): Intake

The intake recommendations (D-A-CH reference values) of the German Nutrition Society (DGE) presented below are aimed at healthy people of normal weight. They do not refer to the supply of sick and convalescent people. Individual requirements may therefore be higher than the DGE intake recommendations (e.g., due to dietary habits, consumption of stimulants, long-term medication, etc.).

Recommended intake

Age Retinol
mg-equivalent1/day mg-equivalent1/MJ2 (nutrient density)
m w m w
Infants
0 to under 4 months3 0,5 0,25 0,26
4 to under 12 months 0,6 0,20 0,21
Children
1 to under 4 years 0,6 0,13 0,14
4 to under 7 years 0,7 0,11 0,12
7 to under 10 years 0,8 0,10 0,11
10 to under 13 years 0,9 0,10 0,11
13 to under 15 years 1,1 1,0 0,10 0,11
Adolescents and adults3
15 to under 19 years 1,1 0,9 0,10 0,11
19 to under 25 years 1,0 0,8 0,09 0,10
25 to under 51 years 1,0 0,8 0,10 0,10
51 to under 65 years 1,0 0,8 0,11 0,11
65 years and older 1,0 0,8 0,12 0,12
Pregnant
From 4th month 1,1 0,12
Breastfeeding4 1,5 0,14
1 1 mg retinol equivalent = 6 mg all-trans-β-carotene = 12 mg other provitamin A carotenoids = 1 mg retinol = 1.15 mg all-trans-retinyl acetate = 1.83 mg all-trans-retinyl palmitate; 1 IU = 0.3 µg retinol
2 Calculated for adults and adolescents with a predominantly sedentary lifestyle (PAL value 1.4)
3 Estimated value
4 Approximately 70 µg retinol equivalent allowance per 100 g secreted milk.