An Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) is the
a. range of intake for a particular nutrient that is not likely to cause toxicity or deficiency.
b. minimum amount of a nutrient that prevents the nutrient's deficiency disease in 98% of the population.
c. amount of a nutrient that meets the needs of 50% of healthy people in a particular population.
d. optimal amount of a nutrient that 100% of the population can safely consume daily.