Molybdenum
Molybdenum is a trace mineral cofactor. Deficiency is rare and clinical supplementation evidence is limited.
Overview
What is molybdenum?
Molybdenum is a trace mineral found in many foods including nuts, leafy greens and meats.
Dosage
Oral molybdenum supplementation is not recommended and dosing information is unavailable. Most people obtain adequate amounts of molybdenum from the diet, and typical dietary intakes in the US usually exceed the RDA (but remain below the upper limit).
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
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Database Snapshot
Most molybdenum research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Esophageal cancer accounts for 1 of 1 studies (100%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Esophageal cancer.
Dietary Sources
Top dietary sources
Food sources
Sources include Dairy Products, Legumes (beans, lentils, peas), Nuts, Organ Meats, Potatoes, and Whole Grains.
Safety
Molybdenum is likely safe at doses of up to 45 mcg/day for adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources1 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Esophageal cancer
1 reference1.SupplementDEX Database: Esophageal cancer — Nail molybdenum and zinc contents in populations with low and moderate incidence of esophageal cancer2008
An observational study comparing nail molybdenum and zinc in Iranian populations found higher levels in low esophageal-cancer-incidence areas, suggesting a possible protective association.