Quest Vitamins LTD,
8 Venture Way,
Aston Science Park,
Birmingham,
B7 4AP.

Tel: 0121 359 0056
Fax: 0121 359 0313
Email: info@questvitamins.co.uk
Registered in England No. 2530437

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 = 200?g

There is no EC Recommended Daily Allowance for molybdenum. The 1991 COMA panel on Dietary Reference Values believed safe intakes were between 50 and 400?g per day for adults.

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.

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.

INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS

There are no known drug interactions or contra-indications for molybdenum.

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.