Molybdenum (Mo)

Molybdenum is an essential trace mineral in human nutrition. The body needs molybdenum for normal growth and for health. Molybdenum is mostly notable for interacting with copper and iron. High intakes will inhibit the absorption of copper causing a condition known as molybdenosis and in turn, high intake of copper in the diet will antagonize molybdenum.

The active biological form of molybdenum is known as the molybdenum cofactor and it is the principal form in the diet. Molybdenum deficiency is rare in people that consume a normal diet. Besides diet hard tap water could as well provide molybdenum. Molybdenum is also obtainable as a supplement.

This trace mineral is found in several tissues in the body and is required for the activity of several enzymes that are involved in catabolism, including that of sulfur amino acids. Xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase are such enzymes that require molybdenum. Molybdenum also is needed to convert purine to uric acid. Increase acid levels can potentially trigger gout.

Although molybdenum deficiency is uncommon symptoms in individuals with total parenteral nutrition exhibit signs and symptoms that include night blindness, increased respiration rate, confusion and increased heart rate. Deficiency of the molybdenum cofactor usually results in premature death in early childhood and is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Molybdenum-containing compounds are used as copper depletion therapy for the treatment of Wilson disease and for its anticarcinogenic activity in metastatic cancers.

Good dietary sources of this mineral include milk and milk products, liver, beans and nuts and green leafy vegetables. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for this mineral is 45µg/day. Upper levels are estimated at 2mg/day. Individuals that are unable to get enough molybdenum in their regular diet or need more molybdenum, molybdenum supplements may be necessary in multivitamin/mineral products.

Those with gout should exercise caution in the use of supplementation with doses above the RDA amounts. Non-dietary forms of molybdenum are being developed as experimental drugs for the treatment of cancer.

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