New Reference Values for nutrient intake in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH-reference values)

In accordance to their very good collaboration through decades especially a t the "3 Countries Meetings" the Nutrition Societies of Germany, Austria an d Switzerland (D, A, CH) decided to prepare new Reference Values for nutrie nt intake as a joint edition in the year 2000. The Reference Values consist of two parts: Part 1, Nutritive aspects of nutrients. Part 2, Preventive a spect of nutrient and food components. The Reference Values presented shoul d protect almost all individuals of the respective group against potential damage to health from their diet and provide a basis for full functional ca pacity In detail recommendations, estimates or guideline values are present ed for the different nutrients. Total fat should not exceed 30% of energy, saturated fatty acids should not provide more than 10% of energy and polyun saturated fatty acids 7% of energy with n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in a ratio of 5:1. Preventive aspect concern the prophylaxis of nutrition-related dise ases.