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Molybdenum
DESCRIPTION
Molybdenum occurs as a cofactor
bound to major enzymes involved in metabolism.
FUNCTIONS
Molybdenum is necessary
for the functioning of the enzyme xanthine oxidase that is
involved in Iron
metabolism and also in the production of uric acid (a waste
product found in the blood and urine). Molybdenum is also
needed for normal sexual functioning in the male.
DEFICIENCY
Deficiency of molybdenum
results in inadequate uric acid production and may affect
the reproductive capacity of males. Molybdenum deficiency
may also increase susceptibility to Dental Caries.
REQUIREMENTS
Upper safe level for daily
supplementation = 200µg
There is no EC Recommended
Daily Allowance for molybdenum. The 1991 COMA panel on Dietary
Reference Values believed safe intakes were between 50 and
400µg per day for adults.
SUPPLEMENTAL USES
Except in proven molybdenum
deficiency, there are no known therapeutic uses of supplemental
molybdenum except perhaps to detoxify excess Copper
. However, preliminary research does suggest that molybdenum
may be helpful for reducing the risk of sulfite-reactive Asthma
attacks (1). Molybdenum may be included in a general multivitamin
and mineral supplement to ensure a sufficiency of this mineral.
SAFETY
Excessive molybdenum intakes
(10-15 mg per day) may be associated with altered uric acid
metabolism and with impaired Copper
bioavailability. Such a dosage is extremely difficult to achieve
with normal dietary and supplementation practices.
INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS
There are no known drug
interactions or contra-indications for molybdenum.
FOOD SOURCES
Food (mg/100g)
Canned beans 350
Liver 200
Wheatgerm
200
Lentils 120
Sunflower seeds 103
Kidney 75
Green beans 66
Macaroni 51
Eggs 50
Rice 47
Noodles 45
Chicken 40
Bread, wholemeal 26
Potatoes 25
Shellfish 20
Apricots 14
Molybdenum is fairly widespread
in foods, with no one category of food being particularly
richer in this mineral than another.
REFERENCES
1. Johnson JL et al.
Molybdenum cofactor deficiency in a patient previously characterised
as deficient in sulfite oxidase. Biochem Med Metabol Biol
1988;40:86-93.
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