| Life Stage |
Change in Nutrient Needs |
| Pregnancy* |
Increased requirements: energy [27], protein, essential fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin C, B–vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, folate, choline) & calcium, phosphorus**, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, chromium, selenium, iodine, manganese, molybdenum |
| Lactation* |
Increased requirements: vitamins A, C, E, all B–vitamins, sodium, magnesium**
Decreased requirements: iron |
| Infancy, childhood* |
Increased requirements: energy, protein, essential fatty acids |
| Adolescence* |
Increased requirements: energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc (females only) |
| Early adulthood (ages 19–50) |
Increased requirements for males compared with females: vitamins C, K; B1, B2, B3, and choline; magnesium, zinc, chromium, manganese
Increased requirements for females compared with males: iron |
| Middle age (ages 51–70)* |
Increased requirements: vitamin B6, vitamin D |
| Elderly (age 70+)* |
Increased requirements: vitamin D
Decreased requirements: energy; iron (females only) |
|
