The <u>EAR</u> is the amount of a given nutrient that will meet the needs of about half of the healthy people in a particular group.
Explanation:
The Estimated Average Intake (EAR), represents the average daily level of estimated nutrient intake to meet the requirement of half of healthy people belonging to a particular stage of life and to a specific sex. The requirement of a nutrient is defined as the amount necessary for the maintenance of the bodily functions of the human organism directed towards optimal health and performance. The nutrient requirement of the human being is influenced by the essentiality and function of the nutrient, by individual differences, environmental factors and by the adaptation to the variable food supply. The RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) of a nutrient is calculated using the Estimated Average Intake (EAR).
