Nutrition 101: Molybdenum

Written By: Carolyn Berry, RD

Title: Registered Dietitian

Alumni: University of British Columbia

Last Updated on:

Molybdenum is a trace mineral that your body uses in small amounts. It is essential for the functioning of many enzymes in the body.

Recomme​nded Intake

The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for molybdenum are shown below:

Age Group Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) per Day Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) per Day
Adults
19 years and up 45 mcg 2,000 mcg
Kids and Youth
1 to 3 years 17 mcg 300 mcg
4 to 8 years 22 mcg 600 mcg
9 to 13 years 34 mcg 1,100 mcg
14 to 18 years 43 mcg 1,700 mcg
Special Considerations
Pregnant women 14 to 18 years 45 mcg 1,700 mcg
Pregnant women 19 years and up 45 mcg 2,000 mcg
Lactating women 14 to 18 years 50 mcg 1,700 mcg
Lactating women 19 years and up 50 mcg 2,000 mcg

What Does ​Molybdenum Do?

Molybdenum is a cofactor for many types of enzymes in the body. Cellular respiration, cellular utilization of oxygen, DNA and RNA reproduction, maintenance of cell membrane integrity, and sequestration of free radicals are all dependent on molybdenum.

Molybdenum’s nutritional effect on the body is still being researched. Studies in mice show that molybdenum might enhance the body’s response to drugs that are used to treat breast cancer. More evidence is needed to determine if the effects would be similar in humans.

Humans require very small amounts of molybdenum, and deficiency is very rare. For example, molybdenum deficiency may occur in a person fed entirely through the veins for a very long time, or in a person with a genetic problem in which the body cannot use the molybdenum that is eaten in foods.

Top Molybdenum-Rich Foods

There is very little data on the molybdenum content in foods; molybdenum content is not generally included in nutrient databases. Molybdenum is found in varying amounts in a wide range of natural food sources, including beans and lentils, grains, green leafy vegetables, nuts, milk, and liver. The amount of molybdenum in plants and animals varies depending on the amount in the soil.

Nutrition Facts Label and t​he % Daily Value

In the United States: The % daily value gives you an idea of how much molybdenum is in the food you eat. The daily value for molybdenum is 75 mcg, which is higher than the DRI for adults, but much lower than the upper limit. The number you see on the Nutrition Facts label is a percentage calculated by dividing the amount of selenium in one serving of the food by the DV. The FDA does not require that the % daily value for molybdenum be listed on the Nutrition Facts label.

In Canada: The daily value for molybdenum is 75 mcg. Listing the daily value for selenium on the Nutrition Facts label is optional.

Nutrient Interactions

Copper: High levels of molybdenum can interfere with the body’s uptake of copper, leading to copper deficiency. This happens because molybdenum prevents plasma proteins from binding to copper and increases the amount of copper excreted in urine.

Iron and riboflavin: Molybdenum works with riboflavin and iron to make red blood cells.

Nutrition 101

micronutrient - minerals, minerals, molybdenum, vitamins - minerals

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1 thought on “Nutrition 101: Molybdenum”

  1. Do you have a chart or resource showing the amount of molybdenum in various foods? I’m having a hard time finding the amount present in collard greens, various other leafy greens, and most produce in general. I see conflicting amounts given for eggs and dairy and some cuts of meat. I do know legumes and grains tend to be high in molybdenum. What is an acceptable amount of molybdenum to supplement with and for how long?

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