Molybdenum happens to be an essential mineral for the proper functioning of many enzymes. While severe molybdenum deficiency is relatively rare, there are some people who may indeed need more to perform at their best. Keep reading to know the role this mineral does play in one’s health.
Table of Contents
What is Molybdenum?
Molybdenum is certainly an essential mineral that is required by the body in very small amounts.
Molybdenum does help the following enzymes function properly (acting as a cofactor):
Sulfite oxidase:
This converts highly reactive sulfite into the more stable sulfate, thus helping generate ATP, and is also necessary for the processing of sulfur-containing amino acids(methionine and cysteine).
Xanthine oxidoreductase:
This converts purines such as xanthine into uric acid, which is then excreted via urine and increases the antioxidant capacity of the blood
Aldehyde oxidase cum aldehyde dehydrogenase:
convert harmful aldehydes such as like acetaldehyde (a byproduct of alcohol) into rather harmless acids.
Mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component (mARC):
a recently discovered enzyme and although its exact function is actually unknown, it detoxifies N-hydroxylated bases that do cause DNA mutations
Molybdenum is accepted as being part of tooth enamel and may also help prevent tooth decay.
Food Sources of Molybdenum
Molybdenum is indeed found in low to moderate levels in most foods, with legumes, grains, dairy products, and meat having the highest amounts.
However, the molybdenum content of foods can also vary depending on the molybdenum content of the soil in which they were grown.
The following foods have the highest amount of molybdenum:
• Senorita, a type of black soybean (33 µg/100 g)
• Mung beans (27 µg/100 g)
• Peanuts (21 µg/100 g)
• Red Bean (16 µg/100 g)
• Pumpkin seeds benefits (12 µg/100 g)
Water sources also do indeed contain small amounts of the mineral, with some sources containing up to 2 µg per liter.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults is 34 µg (ages 9-13 years), 43 µg (ages 14-18), and 45 μg (19 years and older). The RDA for the children is 17 μg (ages 1-3) as well as 22 μg (ages 4-8).
The RDA for pregnant as well as lactating women of all ages is 50 μg.
The average American man does consume 109 μg and the average woman does consume 76 μg daily. The highest dose in adults that is unlikely to rather cause harm is 2 mg/day. This level of intake is understood to be only possible through supplementation].
Molybdenum can indeed be supplemented in different forms including:
• Sodium molybdate
• Ammonium molybdate
• Molybdenum aspartate
• Molybdenum picolinate
• Molybdenum citrate
• Molybdenum glycinate
Orally supplemented molybdenum (between 22 and 1490 μg/day) is well-absorbed (88-93% absorption rate).
Symptoms of Molybdenum Deficiency
Molybdenum deficiency is extremely rare as molybdenum as it is easily obtained from the diet in sufficient amounts.
People who are deficient in molybdenum-containing enzymes due to genetic mutations have low sulfite oxidase activity. This makes them unable to process sulfur-containing amino acids and they suffer from severe brain damage.
Benefits of Molybdenum
1) Molybdenum Treats and Prevents Sulfite Sensitivity
Sulfites are sulfur-containing molecules are used in the food industry as anti-browning agents, antioxidants, and preservative. Sulfite sensitivity is triggered by foods or drinks high in sulfites, including:
• Bottled soft drinks and juices, beer, and wine
• Dried apricots
• Deli meats, mincemeats, and sausages
• Maraschino cherries
• Sauerkraut
• Maple Syrup
Symptoms of sulfur sensitivity include:
• Wheezing
• Nausea
• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhea
• Hives
• Tingling sensations
• Shock
• Loss of consciousness
Sometimes reactions to sulfite can be fatal and some cases have been reported.
Molybdenum deficiency can decrease the amount of sulfite oxidase that converts sulfite to sulfate. A buildup of sulfite can lead to sulfite sensitivity.
Sulfites are one of the potential allergens (along with peanuts, fish, crustaceans, gluten, and dairy) that are required to be labeled on food and drink products worldwide.
The patient who with intolerance had increased amino acid but mainly l-methionine levels in the blood. When treated with molybdenum the patient’s sulfur breakdown went back to normal.
2) Molybdenum Balances Uric Acid Levels
In cases of molybdenum deficiency, xanthine oxidase function is impaired leading to low levels of uric acid in blood and urine [R].
Low uric acid levels due to xanthine oxidase dysfunction may lead to disorders such as:
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
• Huntington’s disease (HD)
• Parkinson’s disease (PD)
Uric acid also acts as a strong antioxidant and scavenges reactive oxygen species(ROS).
3) Molybdenum Improves Circulation
Molybdenum acts as a critical component of nitrate reeducates an enzyme that breaks down nitrate, which is crucial for nitric oxide production. Nitrate is broken down to nitrogen dioxide, a direct precursor to nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide has many benefits including:
• Dilating blood vessels
• Regulating cell growth
• Protecting blood vessels from injury
Molybdenum maintains normal nitric oxide levels and helps circulation.
4) Molybdenum May Reduce the Risk Of Esophageal and Rectal Cancers
Populations living on molybdenum-deficient soil have higher rates of esophageal cancer.
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Also, low molybdenum levels are a risk factor for esophageal and rectal cancer in women.
5) Molybdenum Is Essential for Detoxifying Alcohol and other Drugs
Molybdenum is needed for the proper function of aldehyde oxidase and aldehyde dehydrogenase. Aldehyde dehydrogenase converts acetaldehyde (a harmful product of alcohol) into acetic acid.
Aldehyde oxidase is also involved in metabolizing many pharmaceutical drugs.
6) Molybdenum May Help Prevent Tooth Decay
Healthy intakes of molybdenum have been associated with lower rates of cavities.
In a study on cow teeth, enamel treated with molybdenum-supplemented fluoride saw increased healing of cavities due to an increased rate in mineral repair.
Drug Interactions
High doses of molybdenum have been shown to block the processing of acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Molybdenum Dosage and Toxicity
High molybdenum levels can cause gout-like symptoms due to an increase in uric acid levels.
An electrician exposed to high levels of molybdenum displayed gout-like symptoms. However, these symptoms went away during an exposure-free period of eleven months.
Supplementation with molybdenum has also been shown to cause a copper deficiency in cattle, so individuals who are copper deficient should be cautious when considering supplementing with molybdenum.
Mega-dosing with molybdenum has shown to be very dangerous. One person who took 300-800 μ/day for 18 days developed psychosis, seizures, and brain damage.
Blood levels of molybdenum usually range between 0.28-1.17 ng/mL in healthy people.
