Prevalence of nutrient adequacy and sodium intake in the US, 2003–2008

The Adequate Intake (AI) and Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for sodium (Na) for most US adults are 1500 mg/day and 2300 mg/day, respectively; however, most Americans consume an excess of the UL (mean=3407 mg/day). This study examined the association between the prevalence of nutrient adequacy (PNA) for 18 nutrients by comparing the usual nutrient intake distributions (UI) with the highest Estimated Average Requirement or AI for nonpregnant and nonlactating adults aged 19+ (n=14,338) by various Na intake levels (<=1500, 1501–1899, 1900–2299, 2300–2699, 2700–3099, 3100–3400, and >3400 mg/day). UI was analyzed using the NHANES, 2003–2008 and the National Cancer Institute statistical method. The results show that as sodium intake decreased, the PNA declined for most nutrients. Magnesium, copper, iron, zinc and vitamins A, B1, B6, and folate had more than a 50% PNA reduction when comparing the highest to the lowest Na intake level; the mean caloric intake is 2.74 times higher; and the mean Na intake is 4.8 times higher. Americans who consume less than 1500 mg/day of Na had the lowest PNA (from 0% to 74%) compared to other Na intake levels. Improving the PNA and meeting the Na intake recommendations may be achieved by healthful food choices and better dietary patterns coupled with reducing Na content in the US food supply, which can provide consumers a greater selection of foods that are lower in Na.