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Molybdenum is an essential trace mineral in animal and human
nutrition. It is found in several tissues of the human body and is
required for the activity of some enzymes that are involved in
catabolism, including the catabolism of purines and the sulfur amino
acids. Molybdenum is a transition metal with atomic number 42 and an
atomic weight of 95.94 daltons. Its symbol is Mo. Compounds of
molybdenum are among the scarcer constituents of the earth's crust.
In fact, molybdenum is only about three times more abundant than
gold. The principal ore of molybdenum is molybdenite (molybdenum
disulfide). Organic forms of molybdenum are found in living matter,
from bacteria to animals, including humans.
Uses for
Molybdenum
Preliminary evidence indicates that
molybdenum, through its involvement in detoxifying sulfites, might
reduce the risk of sulfite-reactive asthma attacks. However, a
physician should be involved in the evaluation and use with sulfite
sensitivity.
Molybdenum is indicated in cases of molybdenum
deficiency due to prolonged use of total parenteral nutrition.
Despite some epidemiological evidence showing a higher incidence of
esophageal carcinoma in those who live in areas where the soil is
low in molybdenum, there is as not currently any indication for the
use of supplemental molybdenum in the prevention of cancer. Claims
that molybdenum may help prevent anemia, dental cavities, and help
in cases of sexual impotence have no credible
support.
Dosage and
Administration
Molybdenum supplements are usually
available in the form of sodium molybdate and sometimes in the form
of ammonium molybdate. Molybdenum is found in combination products,
including multivitamin/multimineral formulas. A typical
supplementary dose is 75-250 micrograms daily. The amounts of
molybdenum on nutritional supplement labels are expressed as
elemental molybdenum.
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