Molybdenum

Molybdenum is a cofactor of aldehyde oxidases which are involved in purine and pyrimidine detoxification. Xanthine oxidase is responsible for metabolism of uric acid. Molybdenum may also have a role in stabilizing the unoccupied glucocorticoid receptor.

Deficiencies

No cases of human molybdenum Deficiency have been reported.

Toxicity

No cases of human molybdenum Toxicity have been reported.

The upper limit of safety for molybdenum established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine is approximately 2,000 mcg daily for adults. See table below for more age- and gender specific guidelines.

Molybdenum Tolerable Upper Intake Levels

Life Stage	Molybdenum(mcg/day)
Infants
     0-6 mo	N/A
     7-12 mo	N/A
Children
     1-3 years	300
     4-8 years	600
Males, Females
     9-13 years	1100
     14-18 years	1700
     19-70 years	2000
     70 years	2000
Pregnancy
     < 18 years	1700
     19-50 years	2000
Lactation
     < 18 years	1700
    19-50 years	2000

Dietary Requirements

The Daily Reference Intakes (DRI) for molybdenum are shown in the table below.

Molybdenum Requirements Daily Reference Intakes

Life Stage	Molybdenum(mcg)
Infants
     0-6 months	2
     7-12 months	3
Children
     1-3 years	17
     4-8 years	22
Males
     9-13 years	34
     14-18 years	43
     19-30 years	45
     31-50 years	45
     51-70 years	45
     70 years	45
Females
     9-13 years	34
     14-18 years 	49
     19-30 years	45
     31-50 years	45
     51-70 years	45
     > 70		45
Pregnancy
     < 18 years	50
     19-30 years	50
     31-50 years	50
Lactation
     < 18 years	50
     19-30 years	50
     31-50 years	50

Dietary Sources

Milk, dried beans, peas, nuts and seeds, eggs, liver tomatoes, carrots and meats are good sources of molybdenum. See table below for detailed listing.

Molybdenum Content of Food
Food	               Molybdenum (mcg)
Navy beans, 1/2 cup ckd	98
Black-eye peas, 1/2 cup ckd	90
Lentils, 1/2 cup ckd	74
Split peas, 1/2 cup ckd	74
Lima beans, 1/2 cup ckd	71
Kidney beans, 1/2 cup ckd	66
Black beans, 1/2 cup ckd	65
Almonds, 1/4 cup	        11.6
Peanuts,  1/4 cup	        10.6
Chestnuts, 1/4 cup	        10.6
Cashews, 1/4 cup	         9.5
Yogurt, 1 cup	        11.3
Egg, 1, cooked	         9.0
Veal liver, 3.5 oz	         8.9
Green soybeans, 1/2 cup    6.4
Cottage cheese, 1/2 cup    5.2
Milk, 1 cup	         4.9
Tomatoes, fresh, 1/2 cup	4.5