What is Molybdenum & What Does it Do?

Molybdenum is another metallic mineral essential for life in humans.  It plays an important role in environmental health as well, where it is needed to recycle carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur between plants, animals, and the soil. (1)

Inside the human body, molybdenum is used in the function of four enzymes that play the following roles: (2)

1. Metabolizing the sulfur-containing amino acids: (3) 

   1. Methionine

   2. Cysteine

   3. Taurine

   4. Homocysteine

2. Metabolism of purine bases into uric acid, which plays a major role in reducing oxidative stress in the blood.

3. Metabolism of medications

4. Metabolism of environmental toxins.

Outside the human body, molybdenum’s high melting point makes it a useful addition in metal alloys including stainless steel. (4)

Molybdenum Deficiency: 

Molybdenum deficiency is practically nonexistent.  The only recorded case of true deficiency is found in a patient with Crohn's disease who was fed using a tube and a formula that excluded molybdenum.  Molybdenum insufficiency is seen in areas with low molybdenum content in the soil, which has been documented in regions of China. (1)

There are also rare genetic deficiencies in molybdenum metabolism that can also cause problems despite adequate molybdenum intake. 

Signs and Symptoms of Molybdenum Deficiency:

In the case of the patient with Crohn’s disease, symptoms included increased heart and respiratory rates, headaches, night blindness, and eventually coma.  All symptoms were reversed after their diet was changed and molybdenum was added in. (1)

In those living in areas with low molybdenum in the soil, rates of esophageal cancer are 100 times higher than those found in the U.S. (1) 

Where to Find Molybdenum: 

The molybdenum content of foods varies widely based on the soil they were grown in.  However, legumes generally are the richest source of molybdenum with nuts and grains containing moderate amounts. (1) 

Daily Intake:

The RDA for molybdenum is 45 mcg in all adults.  On average, the typical American diet easily delivers well above this amount. (1)

Toxicity:

Molybdenum toxicity is also quite rare.  Workers in molybdenum processing plants may develop gout-like symptoms due to increased uric acid production.  This has also been seen in populations eating 10-15 mg of molybdenum daily.  One case of acute molybdenum toxicity has been reported from high dose molybdenum supplementation of 13.5 mg over 18 days which produced acute psychosis, hallucinations, seizures, and other neurological symptoms.

Due to the potential for toxicity, a Tolerable Upper Limit (UL) of 2 mg daily has been established. 

Prevention and Treatment of Disease:

Due to the evidence of increased rates of esophageal cancer in those consuming low levels of molybdenum, there is some thought that adequate levels may be preventative against developing this condition.  Unfortunately, trials of molybdenum supplementation in these regions have shown an increased risk in death from esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and cancer in general. (1)  Here we see yet again how there are clear differences between the nutrients found naturally occurring in foods and those found in supplements.  Supplements are consistently shown to be less effective than food in the prevention of disease.

When it comes to treatment, a molybdenum-containing molecule, tetrathiomolybdate, has been used successfully to lower copper levels in those with Wilson’s disease. (1)  Wilson’s disease is a genetic disorder in copper metabolism that causes an accumulation of this mineral and results in neurological and liver damage.

Copper also plays a role in the progression of cancer, and tetrathiomolybdate is being studied for the role it may have in cancer treatment, with successes found in some individuals with metastatic kidney cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer, and breast cancer with a high risk for recurrence. (1)

In those with genetic deficiencies of molybdenum metabolism, molybdenum supplementation has not proven to be effective.  However, pyridoxine and folic acid supplementation has been found helpful in some patients. (1)

Medication and Nutrient Interactions:

As we see above, molybdenum in the form of tetrathiomolybdate can lower copper levels.  We also see high dose molybdenum reducing the effectiveness of acetaminophen (Tylenol) in rats, but human studies have yet to be conducted. (1)

Applications:

Our takeaways this week are: 

1. Molybdenum is another essential mineral involved in the metabolism of sulfur containing amino acids, uric acid, and medications.

2. Molybdenum is also essential for the detoxification and removal of environmental toxins from the body.

3. Molybdenum plays a role in the treatment of copper overload, and potentially some cancers.  

4. Molybdenum deficiency and toxicity are rare.

5. Eat your legumes, grains, and nuts, and you should get more than enough molybdenum.

6. Molybdenum is needed for the health of our ecosystems through recycling carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur.

Next week: 

Next week we will advance to learning about the role phosphorus plays in our health and daily functions.

To our health!

References: 

1. Higdon, J, “Molybdenum” Linus Pauling Institute, 2001; last update: 2021; accessed January 19, 2022; https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/molybdenum

2. National Institutes of Health,  “Molybdenum - Fact Sheet for Health Professionals” Updated March 30, 2021; accessed January 19, 2022.  https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/molybdenum-HealthProfessional/

3. Brosnan JT, Brosnan ME. The sulfur-containing amino acids: an overview. J Nutr. 2006 Jun;136(6 Suppl):1636S-1640S. doi: 10.1093/jn/136.6.1636S. PMID: 16702333.

4. International Molybdenum Association, “Molybdenum Properties” accessed January 19, 2022, ​​https://www.imoa.info/molybdenum/molybdenum-properties.php