Deficiency

Molybdenum

Essential trace mineral that enables sulfite-processing enzymes and is mainly useful for preventing rare deficiency.

Molybdenum

Essential trace mineral that enables sulfite-processing enzymes and is mainly useful for preventing rare deficiency.

score

evidence

Safe

risk

Proven Benefits

01Corrects confirmed deficiency

02Prevents TPN-related deficiency

03May normalize sulfite metabolism

04May normalize xanthine/urate

05May ease methionine intolerance

Chemical Forms

Recommended

Sodium molybdate
Molybdenum glycinate chelate

Avoid

Expert Note

Soluble molybdate salts are the physiological supplemental form and are well absorbed. Chelated forms are also used and are reasonable choices, but there is no clear evidence that they outperform simple molybdate at the low doses normally used in supplements.

Protocol

Amount

45 mcg

Frequency

Once daily

When

Any time of day - with or without food; consistency matters more than timing.

Condition-Based Dosing

Adults 19+

45 mcg daily— Meets the RDA; higher doses rarely add benefit if intake is already adequate.

Pregnancy

50 mcg daily— Usually covered by a prenatal; avoid separate high-dose use unless advised.

Breastfeeding

50 mcg daily— Needs are only slightly higher than baseline.

Safety & Limits

Upper Safe Limit

2000 mcg/day (IOM UL for adults)

Cycling

Safe for continuous use

Contraindications

Copper deficiency or low ceruloplasmin - higher intakes can worsen copper depletion

Gout or hyperuricemia - excess molybdenum may increase uric acid in susceptible people

Severe kidney disease - reduced excretion may increase accumulation; use only with medical guidance

Synergies

Copper

Higher molybdenum intakes can increase copper excretion, so adequate copper intake helps prevent mineral imbalance during long-term use.

Avoid Combining With

✕Tungsten exposure (competes with molybdenum in molybdoenzymes and can blunt function)

Updated Invalid Date