Recommended Nutrient Intakes for Vitamin and Minerals


Molybdenum

Functions

Molybdenum is an essential nutrient. It acts as a cofactor for many metalloenzymes. It is a co-factor for enzymes involved in the metabolism of DNA and sulphites.

Recommended Intakes

The estimated safe and adequate intake for molybdenum is 75-250mg/day.

Recently the USA has recommended intakes for adults at 45mg/day.

Food Sources

Rich sources of molybdenum include legumes, breads and other grains, milk, liver, and leafy green vegetables.

Dietary intakes range from 44-460mg/day.

Deficiency

Deficiency of molybdenum is very rare. Cases of molybdenum have been seen in patients who have received total parental nutrition (TNP) for prolonged periods. Deficiency symptoms include, amino acid intolerance, irritability, disorientation, and coma. Disturbances in sulphur and uric acid metabolism can also occur.

Toxicity

Molybdenum toxicity is rare. In workers exposed to its dust, gout-like symptoms have occurred.