Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR)

Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR) are defined as a range of intakes for a particular macronutrient that is associated with reduced risk of chronic disease while providing adequate amounts of essential nutrients. The AMDR for adults is 45%–65% of their total calories from carbohydrates, 20%–35% from fat, and 10%–35% from protein (Fig. 1). The biologic properties of dietary fat, carbohydrate, and protein are described below.

Figure 1: Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR) in adults. [Note: *A growing body of evidence suggests that higher levels of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids provide protection against coronary heart disease.] RDA = recommended dietary allowance; AI = adequate intake.