Molybdenum |
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Basic Information
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? No
Prescription required? Yes
NATURAL SOURCES
Beans
Cereal grains
Dark-green, leafy vegetables
Organ meats (liver, kidney, sweetbreads)
Peas and other legumes
NOTE: Dietary concentration of molybdenum may vary according to
status of soil in which grains and vegetables are raised.
REASONS TO USE
Promotes normal growth and development.
Promotes normal cell function.
Is a component of xanthine oxidase, an enzyme involved in
converting nucleic acid to uric acid, a waste product eliminated
in the urine.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
Protects against cancer.
Protects teeth.
Prevents anemia by mobilizing iron.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake
or increased nutritional requirements.
People with recent severe burns or injuries.
Extremely ill people who must be fed intravenously or by
naso-gastric tube.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
None
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Rapid heartbeat
Rapid breathing
Night blindness
Irritability
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
None available, except for experimental purposes.
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
Age |
Estimated Safe Intake |
0-6 months |
0.03-0.06mg/day |
6-12 months |
0.04-0.08mg/day |
1-3 years |
0.05-0.10mg/day |
4-6 years |
0.06-0.15mg/day |
7-10 years |
0.10-0.30mg/day |
11+ years |
0.15-0.50mg/day |
What this mineral does:
Becomes a part of bones, liver, kidney.
Forms part of the enzyme system of xanthine oxidase.
Miscellaneous information:
Balanced diet provides all the molybdenum that is necessary in
a healthy child or adult.
Available as:
Capsules: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew
or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
A constituent of many multivitamin/mineral preparations.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
No absolute contraindications to 0.15 to 0.5mg/day. Don't take
higher doses without doctor's prescription.
Consult your doctor if you have:
High levels of uric acid.
Gout.
Over age 55:
No problems expected.
Pregnancy:
Don't take.
Breast-feeding:
Don't take.
Effect on lab tests:
Excess molybdenum causes serum copper to drop.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't
freeze.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of mineral.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
Gout can be produced by massive intake (10 to 15mg/daily).
Moderate excess (up to 0.54mg/day) can cause excess loss of
copper in urine.
Possible Consequences of Overdose:
Daily intake of 10 to 15mg of molybdenum has been associated
with a gout-like syndrome. A moderate excess of 0.54mg/daily may
be associated with significant urinary loss of copper.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult
doctor.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire
bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest
Poison Control Center.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
None expected
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
Interacts with |
Combined effect |
Copper |
Maintains appropriate ratio |
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of molybdenum and copper in |
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body. With excess molybdenum, |
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copper level drops. With |
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excess copper, molybdenum |
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level drops. |
Sulfur |
Increased sulfur intake |
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causes decline in molybdenum |
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concentration. |
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
None known
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