Quick guide to Molybdenum
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- reactions involving the waste products of protein metabolism
- iron utilisation
- carbohydrate metabolism
- alcohol and sulfite detoxification
Absorption and metabolism
As much as 88 to 93 per cent of dietary intake is absorbed.
Deficiency
Deficiency is rare and has only been seen in people who are on long-term tube or intravenous feeding or who have a rare genetic inability to use molybdenum. Symptoms include rapid heartbeat and breathing, headache, night blindness, anemia, mental disturbance, nausea and vomiting.
Sources
Good sources of molybdenum include milk, beans, bread, liver and cereals. The molybdenum content of food varies with the location in which the food is grown. The table on page 285 can be used as a guide.
Daily recommended dietary intakes
An estimated safe and adequate intake is 75 to 250 mcg per day.
Toxic effects of excess intake
These include weight loss, slow growth, anemia, diarrhea, increased blood levels of uric acid and swelling in the joints.
Therapeutic uses of supplements
Supplements have been used to detoxify copper in cases where levels are too high. They have also been used to prevent cancer in areas where the soil content is low.
Interactions
Molybdenum competes with copper at absorption sites.