More and more people are developing sulfur, histamine, and mold sensitivity. Can these issues stem from the increased need for a relatively unknown mineral? Yes, the vital mineral mentioned above is known as molybdenum. Can supplementing with molybdenum improve your health?
What is Molybdenum?
Molybdenum is a mineral that is not found freely in nature. The mineral can be easily sourced from the metal ore molybdenite. It was once used in pencils and is easily confused with graphite. Molybdenum was successfully isolated by the Swedish chemist Peter J. Hjelm in 1781. The mineral is currently used to produce certain metal alloys used primarily in producing military weapons. Molybdenum-containing alloys have increased strength and corrosion-resistive properties. Finally, the mineral is also used as a natural plant fertilizer.1 2
What are Its Dietary Sources?
Molybdenum ingestion absorption is limited from many plant sources by phytic acid. Phytic acid is a storage form of phosphorus and inositol (inositol hexakisphosphate) in plants that are not bio-available through ingestion. Phytic acid is an excellent chelator that binds itself to other minerals found inside plants for storage, making their bio-availability less through ingestion.3 4
Soy contains large amounts of the mineral, but one human study showed that less than half of it is absorbed by the body when ingested, hindered by phytic acid. In comparison, molybdenum found in kale seems at least 85% bio-available to the body per the same study.5
Dietary sources of the mineral that would not be bound by large amounts of phytic acid include:6
- Basil
- Parsley
- Cow Liver
- Chicken Liver
- Kale
- Green beans
- Cucumbers
- Milk
Why is the Mineral Important for Your Health?
Molybdenum is essential in producing four main enzymes in the body known as molybdoenzymes.
- Sulfite oxidase – Sulfite oxidase is produced by the body to catalyze the transformation of sulfites into sulfates, which are eliminated from the body. Ingested sulfites themselves are recognized as strong food allergens for many people. In some cases, they may stem from minor deficiencies causing less production of sulfite oxidase by the body. Sulfite oxidase is essential for metabolizing all ingested sulfur from our diet, including sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine and cysteine). Finally, sulfite oxidase is necessary for mitochondrial function because it helps transfer produced electrons to the electron transport chain, eventually generating ATP.7 8
- Xanthine oxidase – Xanthine oxidase is produced by the body to catalyze the breakdown of nucleotides to form the primary human antioxidant uric acid. Though uric acid is essential as an antioxidant, too much may crystallize in joints and cause gout. A few case reports have documented that too much molybdenum may cause gout-like symptoms, possibly from the overproduction of xanthine oxidase and uric acid.9 10
- Aldehyde oxidase & Aldehyde dehydrogenase – Aldehyde oxidase and aldehyde dehydrogenase are produced by the body to breakdown aldehydes that many are known toxic compounds, including formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Consumption of alcohol requires ample amounts of aldehyde oxidase and aldehyde dehydrogenase to convert acetaldehydes produced from ethanol detoxification by the liver into carboxylic acids that can be used by the body. Mold and yeast also produce a lot of aldehydes that require these enzymes to help detoxify.11 12 13 14 15
Molybdenum is also used to produce lesser molybdoenzymes, including:
- DMSO Reductase – Some people supplement with DMSO to bypass our natural skin barrier and absorb topically applied supplements directly into the venous system to help fight against cancer or reduce inflammation from arthritis. The mineral helps make the enzymenecessary to break it down into dimethyl sulfide so that it is eliminated from the body.16
Should You Supplement With Molybdenum?
Most people get adequate amounts of molybdenum in their diet. Depending on the region of the world you live in, though (like some parts of China and Iran), the soil might be depleted in molybdenum, and you may need help to get adequate amounts of the mineral from your diet. Lack of proper moly intake from our diet has been linked to an increased risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.17
It may be possible that people suffering from alcoholism, yeast/fungal infections, hydrogen sulfide dysbiosis, or mold toxicity have depleted bodily storages of the mineral. People suffering from these conditions might need molybdenum supplementation to improve their health.
When you drink alcohol, and your face flushes excessively (usually from a lack of aldehyde dehydrogenase needed to metabolize alcohol,) or you have developed allergies to sulfur or sulfite-containing foods and beverages, you might have depleted bodily storages of the mineral and may need to supplement.18 19
Finally, molybdenum supplementation might help improve your health if you suffer from histamine intolerance, multiple chemical sensitivity, or mast cell activation syndrome.
The Different Supplemental Forms and My Recommendations
- Ammonium molybdate/potassium molybdate/sodium molybdate – Not the best-absorbed forms of molybdenum should be avoided if possible.
- Molybdenum yeast – A “natural” form of molybdenum claimed to be easily assimilated by the body. What would possibly be wrong with recommending the chelation, you may ask? Molybdenum yeast is found in most of your “natural” vitamins, including New Chapter, Garden of Life, and Megafood. The main problem I have with this form of the mineral is that you have to ingest a lot of brewer’s yeast (that some people are sensitive to) in the whole supplement only to get a tiny amount of molybdenum. There are just a lot better options for supplementation out there.
- Molybdenum aspartate – Excess aspartic acid may be neurotoxic.20 Avoid if possible.
- Molybdenum citrate – Molybdenum citrate is a mineral chelated with citric acid. Molybdenum citrate has average absorption and slightly increases stomach acid levels. Some people with mold toxicity, histamine intolerance, and mast cell activation disorder react negatively to citrate mineral chelations.
- Molybdenum picolinate – Molybdenum picolinate is a moly supplement chelated with picolinic acid. Picolinic acid is a compound that is an isomer of niacin and is a carbolite of the amino acid tryptophan. Molybdenum picolinate has superior absorption.
- Molybdenum glycinate – Highly absorbable form of molybdenum. The bounded glycine promotes healthy sleep when taken a hour before bed and provides a calm feeling as an inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter. Do not supplement if you are suffering from hydrogen sulfide dysbiosis. Recommend form of molybdenum if you are suffering from mold sensitivity, histamine intolerance, multiple chemical sensitivity, and mast cell activation disorder.
- M0-Zyme Forte is my recommended molybdenum supplement for people with hydrogen sulfide dysbiosis. M0-Zyme Forte is well absorbed and tolerated by many numerous people I have coached with hydrogen sulfide dysbiosis and has improved their health.
Molybdenum Toxicity and Supplemental Recommendations
Toxicity rarely occurs from the diet. Toxicity can occur, however, if too much molybdenum is supplemented.21
Gout-like symptoms from elevated uric acid levels may occur if one takes a relatively high dose of ten to fifteen milligrams of the mineral daily. Anemia may also occur from long-term ingestion of large amounts of supplemental molybdenum because of its iron binding capabilities. Blood and urinary uric acid levels seem not to be increased if supplementing less than 1.5 milligrams daily.22
Symptoms of acute toxicity include decreased appetite, listlessness, weakness, fatigue, anorexia, headache, arthritis, myalgia, chest pain, nonproductive cough, and diarrhea. Symptoms of severe toxicity include psychosis, seizures, anxiety, severe depression, changes in mood, headaches, coma, and death.23
One of the most widespread cautionary tales of supplementing with molybdenum is possible psychosis toxicity. Psychosis toxicity occurred in one gentleman who supplemented a milligram of the mineral daily for eighteen days in a widely known case report. It is possible that the man in the case study could not clear the mineral properly from his system because he had a very high amount per milliliter of blood. In addition, the amount that he was consuming from the supplement might have been much higher than what was on the label because of a manufacturing error. Either way, this is one case compared to millions of people that ingest molybdenum supplements or amounts in their supplements daily, and it appears to be a single event.24
To prevent molybdenum toxicity, I recommend taking one milligram of the mineral every other day or at least every day if needed. Molybdenum supplementation may interfere with copper metabolism by reducing ceruloplasmin, so use caution if you have copper metabolism issues. Supplementation of magnesium while taking the mineral may increase ceruloplasmin activity enough to offset this issue. The inhibition of ceruloplasmin may only occur in females; more studies are needed to determine the relationship between molybdenum and ceruloplasmin.25 26
- http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements/L-P/Molybdenum.html ↩
- http://www.chemicool.com/elements/molybdenum.html ↩
- http://chriskresser.com/another-reason-you-shouldnt-go-nuts-on-nuts ↩
- http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/living-with-phytic-acid/ ↩
- http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=12&ved=0CGwQFjAL&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nal.usda.gov%2Ffnic%2FDRI%2FDRI_Vitamin_A%2F420-441_150.pdf&ei=au73VNmlB8SfgwTdr4CwBA&usg=AFQjCNGwIL0s5NTyBsbBYLUnXWpxcM0UJQ&sig2=zA9ZEmrz2YaKNl7X-HWPIg&bvm=bv.87519884,d.eXY ↩
- http://wholefoodcatalog.info/nutrient/molybdenum/foods/high/1/ ↩
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK222301/ ↩
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6715303 ↩
- http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/molybdenum/ ↩
- http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=10&ved=0CHMQFjAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Foccmed.oxfordjournals.org%2Fcontent%2F55%2F2%2F145.full.pdf&ei=cREBVdeTM4GdgwSSuITADg&usg=AFQjCNGVo5jbgAX1CUVfSiGStwGlE1yuGw&sig2=yQuj3SvcftKtT_C_3PO10w&bvm=bv.87920726,d.eXY ↩
- http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/molybdenum/ ↩
- http://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Molybdenum_BiomonitoringSummary.html ↩
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15099407 ↩
- http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/ALDEHYDES.htm ↩
- http://www.vrp.com/digestive-health/a-health-destroying-toxin-we-cant-avoid-and-must-detoxify ↩
- http://www.imoa.info/HSE/environmental_data/biology/reviews-of-molybdoenzymes/08-dimethyl-sulfoxide-DMSO-reductase.php ↩
- http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/molybdenum/ ↩
- http://www.thecandidadiet.com/molybdenum.htm ↩
- http://www.vrp.com/digestive-health/a-health-destroying-toxin-we-cant-avoid-and-must-detoxify ↩
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6108/ ↩
- http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/molybdenum/ ↩
- http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/molybdenum/ ↩
- http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDoQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhrcak.srce.hr%2Ffile%2F4533&ei=aAsDVcSRJIjYggTkuIPoCA&usg=AFQjCNFKYP0fCoTLBt1oMk1uOiFJLdhdJQ&sig2=LugucjwwE144hMhCXiXYMQ&bvm=bv.88198703,d.eXY ↩
- http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDoQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhrcak.srce.hr%2Ffile%2F4533&ei=aAsDVcSRJIjYggTkuIPoCA&usg=AFQjCNFKYP0fCoTLBt1oMk1uOiFJLdhdJQ&sig2=LugucjwwE144hMhCXiXYMQ&bvm=bv.88198703,d.eXY ↩
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/004896978390013X ↩
- http://bu.edu.eg/portal/uploads/Veterinary%20Medicine/Animal%20medicine/321/publications/Mohamed%20Mohamedy%20Ghanem_Heba%20research%20in%20zoology%202013.pdf ↩
Where can we find a doctor? I live in the NE and all this is voodoo medicine to them. Naturopath s I’ve seen so many and none that have the knowledge.
check your units in the article, seems to be off regarding mg vs mcg in some places
Can someone explain why a hair strand test would result in levels approaching toxicity for Molybden but deficient in the mineral Molybdenum? My son (who has mold exposure and mycotoxins in his body) results came back like this. Docs say that these hair strand tests are not reliable but Im sure for food allergies thats true but vitmains and mineral, its been said to be legitamte.
Great Article! Thank you :)
John, do you know of a low dose molybdenum supplement that does not contain copper? Ideally looking for one that contains no more than 34 mcg of molybdenum, as this is for a 10 year old child.
Seeking health.com has a molybdenum supplement in liquid drop form that I believe meets that criteria
OMG. Are you SERIOUS?
First of all, no molybdenum supplements contain copper. They contain MOLYBDENUM. Secondly, common sense says buy the lowest dose you can find, and then open the capsule or cut the tablet into the estimated dose.
Where you or your nutty doctor came up with 34 mcgs is beyond me…
@Marcia .. Way to be kind to someone who may have come across some research, that you don’t know about, that they are willing to try to help their child.
So very mature of you.
Wow I feel the same. These “nutty” posters🙄
I have Morgellons. I read that Sodium Molybdate would be good but can’t find why or where. I had ordered and now I have a lb. and wonder what to do with it. Toss it?
You may find that testing your dna for methylation polymorphism May prove Morgellons incorrect. There is a better answer out there.
I am not refuting that you have an issue. But there are other unstudied illnesses that are unknown at this time but I believe stem from multiple methylation disorders. Look at Dr Ben Lynches Dirty Genes. I believe modern medicine is not spending enough time teaching genetics. I have multiple issues that have torn my body apart. All they could find was homozygous mutations in fast COMT, MTHFR, MAO-A and a couple others. I have issues from the cellular level. If that is impaired it can cause a host of other disorders diseases and the least of my issues, skin disorders
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgellons
There is no such thing as Morgellons.
“..Uric acid crystallice in the joints.”
I read Molybdeum is a co enzym to the enzym Xanthin oxidase. The process should be.
1.Purin (C5H4N4) + Xanthin oxidase >>>>
2.Hypoxanthin (C5H4n4o) + Xanthin oxidase >>>>
3.Xanthin (C5H4N403) + Xanthin oxidase >>>
4. Uric acid (C5H4N4o3).
A low level of molybdeum should make the step from xanthin to uric acid harder. And it is the Xantin,(krystal) that causes gout…
I have gout all ready I think. I have a uric acid meter. I think it’s because of my Candida and the die off. I already am anemic and have low iron the Candida also causes that and I’m sure vitamin deficiencies because of not being able to absorb vitamins. I also have to gene expressions of the MtFHR gene. I started taking 10x health which has molybdenum in it. I feel better except ear ringing is worse. I’ve so many doctors and naturopaths and no help. Now this makes it so much more complicated but I’m sure the Science doesn’t lie. Ugh
Hi, can you please advise when best to take a Molybdenum Glycinate Supplement. Am I best to take at night together with Magnesium Glycinate, or would another time of day (with a meal for example) be more appropriate? I am also taking Vit K2 and Omega 3 and would like to ensure I am taking everything at the optimum time of day.
Yes, molybdenum helps mobilize iron from the liver, but it doesn’t “bind” to it, so it does not cause anemia. In fact, it may help with anemia that doesn’t respond to iron alone.
18 yr old Daughter has too much Molybdenum per blood test. Her major symptom is a red face. Looks inflamed. Could it be from this mineral? She is gluten free/ dairy free.
Any other issues, just rosacea? Molybdenum excess does not seem to cause rosacea.
Hi John
What about Redheads and people with the MC1R gene getting Xanthine gout mimicking Fibromyalgia? Will Molybdenum alleviate those simptoms and also get rid of the excess copper they store that cannot be used as it is not available in the blood? I have read that readheads are also prone to getting Parkinsons.
Molybdenum might interfere with ceurloplasmin and cause further issues. Look into the work of Morley Robbins and work to increase ceurloplasmin, to secrete excess unbonded copper and to get the body to use it properly.
Possibly, but what about looking into the work of Morley Robbins, and correct ceurloplasmin for proper copper metabolism. Increasing magnesium intake may help.
Dear John, I am purchasing a multivitamin that contains 75 mcg molybdenum glycinate chelate.
I have copper overload (hair analyzis)
Is 75 mcg safe?
Regards, Manon (Canada)
It may interfere with ceruloplasmin so I cannot recommend it.
It might not, no. Especially if you have any citrates in the mineral chelations as well. Vitamin D orally may interfere with ceruloplasmin as well in some people.
I have Parkinson and asparagus relieves my tremors. As a Ph.D., Inorganic Chem Ga. Tech 1974, I have concluded that the dithiol in asparagus is chelating the copper. Excess copper (“free copper”) exist in all old folks and currently the literature for Alzheimer is recommending a low copper diet. MoS4 (-2) is used to treat Wilson Disease. It removes the copper by forming a Cu-S-Mo bond, that passes into the bile. Research on sheep (the origin of MoS4) show that the Mo-S bond is the key.
Is there a Mo-S supplement? If you wish an essay on asparagus and Parkinson,I will gladly email the current edition. Joseph E. Wreen, Ph.D.
To my knowledge no, and there is not a straight molybdenum sulfate supplement you can even try. Sure e-mail it to me at [email protected]. I would ask your doctor to test your ceuroplasmin levels to determine copper status and look into supplementing low doses of zinc. Avoid large doses of ascorbic acid if you are having copper issues.
Asparagus also contains aspartate, that can increase inosine with glycine .
Inosine is protective in PD.
PD can be caused by excess endogenous carbon monoxide ( e.g.from heme oxygenase-1 and face masks). Carbogen is protective .
Inhalation of progesterone or truffle extract by Moshe Shiffrin repaires brain.
Inosine is protective in depression, many dementias, MS, AD, restores gut, energy, immunity.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inosine
” With phase II trials for Parkinson’s disease completed, inosine will continue to phase III trials. Earlier trials suggested that patients with the highest serum urate levels had slower progression of Parkinson’s symptoms. The trial uses inosine to raise urate levels in those with levels lower than the population mean (6 mg/dL).[9][10][11]”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspartic_acid
Excess iron lowers purines/ATP to uric acid.
B2 activates/promotes most B vitamins and restores microbiome(Faecalibacterium prausnitzi) with inosine and vitamin A.
Blood donation stops gout.
Uric acids stops Fenton’s reaction and is one of the most important antioxidants.
Uric acid is is less soluble than sodium urate.
It crystallises in colder parts of the body and can be complicated by oxalates.
Transdermal colchicum dissolves urates without side effects.
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/14/10/2245
Forskolin increases melanins even in albinoes and protects against melanoma.
About 60 % copper goes through bile to gut.
Ceruloplasmin depends in part on vitamin A .
Did I get it right that copper is part of the detoxification process in the liver?
Which amount ob molybdenum do you recommend if someone was exposed to mold (for a long time)?
Yes, but most people have too much copper and not enough ceruloplasmin. I would talk to your doctor about taking 1 mg every other day at least for two months.