Molybdenum

Last Updated: September 28 2022

Molybdenum is an essential mineral. It is vital for the function of several enzymes, but is easily obtained through the diet. Molybdenum deficiencies are virtually unheard of, and there are no benefits to high doses, making supplementation unnecessary.

Molybdenum is most often used for

Summary

Molybdenum is an essential mineral. The human body requires very low quantities of molybdenum to support three groups of enzymes.

Molybdenum deficiencies are extremely rare, since molybdenum is easily available through the diet, as it is found in grains and water. The body easily retains molybdenum, and only needs a few micrograms.

Molybdenum functions as a cofactor for three groups of enzymes, meaning it is needed for the enzymes to do their job. It is incorporated into a molecule called molybdopterin, which forms the actual cofactor. A molybdenum deficiency would impair the functions of these enzymes, which would prevent the body from processing amino acids that contain sulfur. Molybdenum deficiencies are characterized by symptoms similar to sulfur toxicity.

Molybdenum supplementation is unnecessary. Due to the lack of evidence and very low risk of deficiency, molybdenum may not even need to be added to multivitamin formulas.

Dosage information

Molybdenum supplementation is not recommended because there is no evidence to support any benefits from supplementation, deficiencies are extremely rare, and molybdenum is easily obtained through the diet.

More research is needed to determine if long-term supplementation is safe. For this reason, molybdenum doses should not exceed 50µg (0.05mg).

Join our supplement information course

Don't miss out on the latest research

References
1.^Sardesai VMMolybdenum: an essential trace elementNutr Clin Pract.(1993 Dec)
2.^Pennington JA1, Jones JWMolybdenum, nickel, cobalt, vanadium, and strontium in total dietsJ Am Diet Assoc.(1987 Dec)
6.^Greathouse DG, Osborne RHPreliminary report on nationwide study of drinking water and cardiovascular diseasesJ Environ Pathol Toxicol.(1980 Sep)
8.^Chan S1, Gerson B, Subramaniam SThe role of copper, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc in nutrition and healthClin Lab Med.(1998 Dec)
9.^Westerfeld WW, Richert DAA New Dietary Factor Related to Xanthine OxidaseScience.(1949 Jan)
10.^DE RENZO EC, KALEITA E, HEYTLER PG, OLESON JJ, HUTCHINGS BL, WILLIAMS JHIdentification of the xanthine oxidase factor as molybdenumArch Biochem Biophys.(1953 Aug)
13.^MAHLER HR, MACKLER B, GREEN DEStudies on metalloflavoproteins. III. Aldehyde oxidase: a molybdoflavoproteinJ Biol Chem.(1954 Sep)
14.^Chu TSHereditary xanthinuria: report of two casesJ Formos Med Assoc.(1993 May)
15.^Nagae A1, Murakami E, Hiwada K, Sato Y, Kawachi M, Kono NAsymptomatic hereditary xanthinuria: a case reportJpn J Med.(1990 May-Jun)
16.^Percy AK, Mudd SH, Irreverre F, Laster LSulfite oxidase deficiency: Sulfate esters in tissues and urineBiochem Med.(1968 Sep)
17.^Kisker C1, Schindelin H, Rees DCMolybdenum-cofactor-containing enzymes: structure and mechanismAnnu Rev Biochem.(1997)
18.^Kisker C, SChindelin H, Baas D, Meckenstock RU, Kroneck PMHA structural comparison of molybdenum cofactor-containing enzymesFEMS Microbiol Rev.(1998 Dec)
19.^Tsongas TA, Meglen RR, Walravens PA, Chappell WRMolybdenum in the diet: an estimate of average daily intake in the United StatesAm J Clin Nutr.(1980 May)
22.^Abumrad NN, Schneider AJ, Steel D, Rogers LSAmino acid intolerance during prolonged total parenteral nutrition reversed by molybdate therapyAm J Clin Nutr.(1981 Nov)
25.^Allaway WH, Kubota J, Losee F, Roth MSelenium, molybdenum, and vanadium in human bloodArch Environ Health.(1968 Mar)
26.^Verseick J, Hoste J, Barbier F, Vanballenberghe L, DeRudder J, Cornelis RDetermination of molybdenum in human serum by neutron activation analysisClin Chim Acta.(1978 Jul 1)
27.^Turnlund JR1, Keyes WRPlasma molybdenum reflects dietary molybdenum intakeJ Nutr Biochem.(2004 Feb)
29.^Muñiz CS1, Fernández-Martin JL, Marchante-Gayón JM, García Alonso JI, Cannata-Andía JB, Sanz-Medel AReference values for trace and ultratrace elements in human serum determined by double-focusing ICP-MSBiol Trace Elem Res.(2001 Summer)
30.^Abumrad NNMolybdenum--is it an essential trace metalBull N Y Acad Med.(1984 Mar)
31.^Murray FJ1, Sullivan FM, Tiwary AK, Carey S90-Day subchronic toxicity study of sodium molybdate dihydrate in ratsRegul Toxicol Pharmacol.(2013 Sep 13)
34.^Meeker JD1, Rossano MG, Protas B, Padmanahban V, Diamond MP, Puscheck E, Daly D, Paneth N, Wirth JJEnvironmental exposure to metals and male reproductive hormones: circulating testosterone is inversely associated with blood molybdenumFertil Steril.(2010 Jan)