Molybdenum DESCRIPTION: Molybdenum occurs as a cofactor bound to major enzymes involved in metabolism. FUNCTIONS Molybdenum is necessary for the functioning of the enzyme xanthine oxidase that is involved in Iron metabolism and also in the production of uric acid (a waste product found in the blood and urine). Molybdenum is also needed for normal sexual functioning in the male. DEFICIENCY Deficiency of molybdenum results in inadequate uric acid production and may affect the reproductive capacity of males. Molybdenum deficiency may also increase susceptibility to Dental Caries. REQUIREMENTS Upper safe level for daily supplementation = 200µg There is no EC Recommended Daily Allowance for molybdenum. The 1991 COMA panel on Dietary Reference Values believed safe intakes were between 50 and 400µg per day for adults. Back to Top   SUPPLEMENTAL USES Except in proven molybdenum deficiency, there are no known therapeutic uses of supplemental molybdenum except perhaps to detoxify excess Copper. However, preliminary research does suggest that molybdenum may be helpful for reducing the risk of sulfite-reactive Asthma attacks (1). Molybdenum may be included in a general multivitamin and mineral supplement to ensure a sufficiency of this mineral. Back to Top   SAFETY Excessive molybdenum intakes (10-15 mg per day) may be associated with altered uric acid metabolism and with impaired Copper bioavailability. Such a dosage is extremely difficult to achieve with normal dietary and supplementation practices. Back to Top   INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS There are no known drug interactions or contra-indications for molybdenum. Back to Top   FOOD SOURCES Food (mg/100g) Canned beans 350 Liver 200 Wheatgerm 200 Lentils 120 Sunflower seeds 103 Kidney 75 Green beans 66 Macaroni 51 Eggs 50 Rice 47 Noodles 45 Chicken 40 Bread, wholemeal 26 Potatoes 25 Shellfish 20 Apricots 14 Molybdenum is fairly widespread in foods, with no one category of food being particularly richer in this mineral than another. REFERENCES: 1. Johnson JL et al. Molybdenum cofactor deficiency in a patient previously characterised as deficient in sulfite oxidase. Biochem Med Metabol Biol 1988;40:86-93. Back to Top