Benefits and Side Effects of Molybdenum

767 Words2 Pages

What is Molybdenum?
Molybdenum is an important mineral which the body needs only in small quantities to maintain health. This essential trace mineral is concentrated mostly in the kidneys, liver, glands, and spinal bones (vertebrae). It is also found, however, in the skin, muscles, lungs, spleen and the tooth enamel.
Molybdenum is present in water and soil, and the mineral content in food depends on the amount of molybdenum found in the soil where they come from. It has been found that people who live in some areas where soil has low amounts of molybdenum suffer from molybdenum deficiency and are more likely to have certain types of cancer than others.
Most of the molybdenum content of food consumed is absorbed in the intestines and exits the body through the urine.

Molybdenum Food Sources
Excellent molybdenum nutrition comes mostly from plant sources but the amount varies with soil content. Plants foods that contain significant amounts of molybdenum include garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas), green beans, pinto beans, lentils, and dried peas. Other food sources include pork, beef liver, lamb, eggs, wheat flour, cereal grain, brown rice, sunflower seeds, cucumbers, nuts and leafy, dark green vegetables.

What is Molybdenum Used For?
Molybdenum promotes normal functioning of the cell as well as the whole body. The body uses molybdenum for many important functions, but mainly as a coenzyme that helps catalyze important chemical reactions. It works as an ezyme cofactor for xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, and sulfite oxidase, which play important roles in metabolizing carbohydrate, utilizing iron, uric acid formation, and liver detoxification.
Molybdenum works with vitamin B2 (riboflavin) to facilitate the incorporati...

... middle of paper ...

... Dosage (ug/day)
Infants 0-6 months 2
Infants 7-12 mths 3
Children 1-3 yrs 17
Children 4-8 yrs 22
9-13 yrs 34
14-18 yrs 43
Adults 45
Pregnant/lactating women 50

Doctors may recommend higher doses when using molybdenum for therapeutic purposes, but toxicity levels must be kept in mind.

Works Cited

Health Supplements Nutritional Guide. Molybdemum. http://www.healthsupplementsnutritionalguide.com/Molybdenum.html
WebMD. Molybdenum. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1249-molybdenum.aspx?activeIngredientId=1249&activeIngredientName=molybdenum&source=1
Vitamins & health supplements guide. Molybdenum supplements. http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/dietary-minerals/molybdenum.php

More about Benefits and Side Effects of Molybdenum

Open Document