Over a fifteen year period, Dr Emanuel Cheraskin of the University of Alabama, studied 13,000 people living in various areas of the USA, and on the basis of a variety of medical tests and examinations, suggested the optimum amount of vitamins and minerals required for health. That is, those in the group who suffered less from illness, etc, took a greater amount of vitamins. His results are called the Suggested Optimal Nutrient Allowance (SONA).
RDA (Recommended Daily Allowances SONA (Suggested Optimal Nutritional Allowance)
Male/ Female Male/ Female 25-50 Male/ Female 51+
Vitamin A (Retinol)
1 RE = 1 micro gm = 3.33 IU) 600/600µg 2000µg 2000µg
Beta Carotene N/A 100mg/80mg
Vitamin C 40mg 800mg 1000mg
Vitamin D
1 microgram = 40 IU 5µg 24µg 24µg
Vitamin E
1 IU alpha tocopherol equivalent to 1 mg alpha tocopherol 3/4mg 400mg 800mg
Vitamin B1 1.0/0.8mg 7.5/7.1mg 9.2/9.0mg
Vitamin B2 1.3/1.1mg 2.5./2.0mg 2.5/2.0.mg
Vitamin B3 17/13mg 30/25mg 30/25mg
Vitamin B6 1.4/1.2mg 10mg 25/20mg
Vitamin B12 1.5µg 2µg 3/2µg
Folic Acid 200µg 800µg 1000µg
Vitamin K 80/65mg 80mg 65mg