Properties
Amino acid precursor
Molybdenum is associated with enzymes that make amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.
Role in the production of DNA
In conjunction with other enzymes, molybdenum is involved in the formation of purines, which are components of DNA.
Indications
Molybdenum is an element whose essential role is being increasingly recognised in recent studies.
It balances copper in the body and is essential for the metabolism of iron carried by ferritin.
Like fluoride, it seems to protect teeth from decay.
Foods rich in molybdenum
Almost all foods contain small amounts of molybdenum.
The food composition table does not give detailed information on this.
However, the most common foods reported to be high in molybdenum are
- Liver
- Kidney
- Lentils
- Chick peas
- White beans
- Wheat
- Maize
- Rice
- Hazelnuts
- Almonds
- Hazelnut
- Courgette
- Tomato
- Spinach
- Yoghurt
- Dairy milk
- Cow's milk cheese
- Goat's milk cheese
- Sheep's milk cheese
Use of molybdenum
The AFSSA has issued recommendations that suggest an intake of 30 to 50 μg of molybdenum per day for a healthy adult.
How to use molybdenum properly as a nutritional supplement?
In food supplements, molybdenum is often combined with other minerals and trace elements (lithothamnium, zinc, copper, iron, etc.).
It is generally recommended to take 50 micrograms of molybdenum per day to meet the body's needs.
It is often used in multivitamin supplements or in more specific situations to treat certain renal or metabolic pathologies.
However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before considering any supplementation.
Consequences of molybdenum deficiency
Molybdenum deficiency has not been observed in healthy adults.
However, in people with absorption disorders, such as Crohn's disease, or in those receiving parenteral nutrition, deficiency has been associated with migraine headaches, tachycardia, nausea and vomiting.
Is there a risk of molybdenum toxicity in case of overdose?
If molybdenum is consumed in excess, it is excreted in the urine and therefore causes no complications for the body.
Interaction of molybdenum with other elemental nutrients
Excessive consumption of soya, sulphates or even black tea can reduce molybdenum absorption.
On the other hand, iron, zinc and copper have a positive effect on molybdenum metabolism.
Chemical properties
The atomic symbol for molybdenum is Mo and its atomic number is 42.
Molybdenum has an atomic weight of 95.95u and a density of 10.22 g/cm-3.
It is a hard, white transition metal often used to harden alloys.
In the body, molybdenum is essential as it is incorporated into the composition of DNA and proteins.