Molybdenum

Molybdenum is an essential trace mineral in animal and human nutrition. It is found in several tissues of the human body and is required for the activity of some enzymes that are involved in catabolism, including the catabolism of purines and the sulfur amino acids.
Compounds of molybdenum are among the scarcer constituents of the earth's crust. In fact, molybdenum is only about three times more abundant than gold. The principal ore of molybdenum is molybdenite (molybdenum disulfide). Organic forms of molybdenum are found in living matter, from bacteria to animals, including humans.

In spite of its low abundance, molybdenum deficiency in humans is rare but it has been described. A patient on long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN) developed a syndrome characterized by hypouricemia, hypermethioninemia, low urinary sulfate excretion, tachycardia, tachypnea and mental and visual disturbances.

Animals can be made molybdenum deficient by feeding them diets containing high amounts of tungsten or copper. Both tungsten and copper are molybdenum antagonists. Molybdenum deficiency has also been produced experimentally in goats by feeding them purified diets, very low in molybdenum. Molybdenum deficiency in animals results in retarded weight gain, decreased food consumption, impaired reproduction and a shortened life expectancy.

Molybdenum prevents and treats molybdenum deficiency. Molybdenum has putative anticarcinogenic activity.

Except for evidence of supplemental molybdenum's usefulness in some individuals made deficient due to prolonged total parenteral nutrition, research to date has revealed no further indications for the supplemental use of molybdenum.

An epidemiologic association has been made between the high incidence of esophageal cancer and the low intake of molybdenum in an area of China. In one study, supplementing some of those who live in this area with molybdenum for prolonged periods did not lower the incidence of cancer, although supplementation with beta carotene, vitamin E and selenium did reduce the incidence of some cancers in this study group.

MOLYBDENUM

Main Uses and Actions:	supplements molybdenum deficiency
Standard Dosage:	75 mcg daily
Contraindications:	Molybdenum is contraindicated in those who are hypersensitive to any component of a molybdenum-containing product. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid the use of supplemental molybdenum greater than recommended amounts (75 micrograms daily)
Drug Interactions:	High doses of molybdate may inhibit the metabolism of acetaminophen, High doses of molybdate may antagonize the absorption of copper. Likewise, high doses of copper may antagonize the absorption of molybdenum and overall decrease molybdenum status.

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