Definition: Molybdenum is an essential trace mineral. It is a component of a pterin-containing molecule known as molybdenum cofactor, which functions as a cofactor for the enzymes, xanthine oxidase, sulfite oxidase, and aldehyde oxidase.

• Severe molybdenum deficiency has been observed only in a patient with Crohn’s disease receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN) deficient in molybdenum. Clinical manifestations included tachycardia, tachypnea, central scotomas, night blindness, irritability, and subsequent coma.
• Molybdenum may be useful for treating a subset of patients with asthma and for treating chronic aches and pains.
• Excessive intake of molybdenum had adverse effects on reproduction and fetal development in rats and mice. High doses caused renal abnormalities and other adverse effects in rabbits and rats.
• Foods rich in molybdenum are legumes (especially lima beans, peas, and lentils), grains, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, some leafy vegetables, dairy products, organ meats, and sorghum. Refining of whole wheat flour to white flour resulted in a loss of 59% of the molybdenum.

Nutrient interactions

• Copper forms insoluble complexes with molybdenum in the digestive tract. Ingestion of large amounts of either of these minerals might lead to a deficiency of the other, particularly if its intake is already marginal. When supplementing with large amounts of copper or molybdenum, it would seem prudent to supplement with other nutrients as well.
• In chicks, high silicon intake decreased plasma and tissue molybdenum levels, and high molybdenum intake decreased plasma and tissue silicon levels. When supplementing with large amounts of either of these nutrients, it would seem prudent to supplement with the other as well.

Dosage and administration

• There is little research on the therapeutic use of molybdenum supplements. One study found that supplementation with 400–500 μg/day of molybdenum for 4 weeks was beneficial for people with chronic aches and pains.
• Many multivitamin-multimineral preparations provide 25–100 μg/day of this trace mineral. Molybdenum is also available as an individual supplement, usually in doses of 150–500 μg.