Molybdenum
Mineral ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Trace mineral essential for enzyme function in sulfite and purine metabolism.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Molybdenum is a mineral most often used for detoxification, sulfite metabolism, enzyme function. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 75-250 mcg daily, commonly taken as molybdenum glycinate. This profile indexes 16 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: detoxification, sulfite metabolism, enzyme function. 16 sources indexed (1980–2026), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Cofactor for sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase, and aldehyde oxidase. Critical for detoxifying sulfites and metabolizing purines to uric acid.12,14
Dosing & protocol.
Well absorbed with or without food8
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Molybdenum Glycinate.
Assumes 75-250 mcg/day. Vendor basis: NOW/iHerb, Vitacost, Pure Encapsulations, and Amazon marketplace; standalone molybdenum is low cost. Updated 2026-05-28.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
Legumes are usually the most practical food source; content varies by soil.
Full safety detail.
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
1- 1Timing of cerebral damage in molybdenum cofactor deficiency: A meta-analysis of case reportsPMIDFerreira EA, Hofstede FC, Haijes-Siepel HA et al. · Genetics in medicine open · 2024
Ferreira EA, Hofstede FC, Haijes-Siepel HA et al.. Timing of cerebral damage in molybdenum cofactor deficiency: A meta-analysis of case reports. Genetics in medicine open. 2024
Randomized controlled trials
1- 2Molybdenum absorption, excretion, and retention studied with stable isotopes in young men at five intakes of dietary molybdenumPMIDTurnlund JR et al. · Am J Clin Nutr · 1995
Dietary intakes between 22-1500 mcg/day are safe; molybdenum very efficiently absorbed (88-93%) at all dietary intakes; retention regulated by urinary excretion.
Reviews & position papers
12- 3Electrochemical Interactions of Titanium and Cobalt-Chromium-Molybdenum Alloy in Different SolutionsPMIDIvica A, Nimac M, Pelivan I et al. · Materials (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
Ivica A, Nimac M, Pelivan I et al.. Electrochemical Interactions of Titanium and Cobalt-Chromium-Molybdenum Alloy in Different Solutions. Materials (Basel, Switzerland). 2026
- 4Recent advances in nano-molybdenum oxide for photothermal cancer therapyPMIDChen S, Zhang P, Bai H et al. · Nanomedicine (London, England) · 2025
Chen S, Zhang P, Bai H et al.. Recent advances in nano-molybdenum oxide for photothermal cancer therapy. Nanomedicine (London, England). 2025
- 5Molybdenum - a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023PMIDArnaud J et al. · Food Nutr Res · 2024
U.S. RDA is 45 mcg/day for adults; EFSA Adequate Intake is 65 mcg/day; molybdenum cofactor required for four human enzymes involved in purine/sulfur amino acid catabolism.
- 6New Neuroimaging Findings in Patients with Molybdenum Cofactor Deficiency Type A: A Case Report and Literature ReviewPMIDLiu H, Yu X, He S et al. · Current medical imaging · 2024
Liu H, Yu X, He S et al.. New Neuroimaging Findings in Patients with Molybdenum Cofactor Deficiency Type A: A Case Report and Literature Review. Current medical imaging. 2024
- 7Novel pathogenic variant in a mild case of type B molybdenum cofactor deficiency: case report and literature reviewPMIDKinsinger M, Ivanisevic J, Mithal DS · BMC medical genomics · 2024
Kinsinger M, Ivanisevic J, Mithal DS. Novel pathogenic variant in a mild case of type B molybdenum cofactor deficiency: case report and literature review. BMC medical genomics. 2024
- 8The Role of Mineral and Trace Element Supplementation in Exercise and Athletic Performance: A Systematic ReviewPMIDHeffernan SM, Horner K, De Vito G, Conway GE · Nutrients · 2019
Systematic review of 128 studies found no relevant articles for molybdenum supplementation and athletic performance. Only iron and magnesium had sufficient quality evidence supporting use. Little evidence exists for most MTE supplementation to improve athletic performance.
- 9Molybdenum in human health and diseaseSource linkedPMIDNovotny JA, Peterson CA · Met Ions Life Sci · 2018
- 10Assessment of molybdenum toxicity in humansPMIDMomcilovic B · J Trace Elem Med Biol · 1999
Low order of toxicity observed in humans; toxicity associated with copper depletion, so those with inadequate copper intake at greater risk. Average intake 0.1-0.5 mg/day.
- 11Interactions of zinc and molybdenum with copper in therapy of Wilson's diseasePMIDBrewer GJ · Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) · 1995
Brewer GJ. Interactions of zinc and molybdenum with copper in therapy of Wilson's disease. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.). 1995
- 12Molybdenum: an essential trace elementPMIDSardesai VM · Nutr Clin Pract · 1993
Molybdenum is essential as cofactor for xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, and sulfite oxidase; required for purine metabolism, sulfite detoxification, and amino acid metabolism.
- 13Interaction of molybdenum, sulfate and alfalfa in the bovinePMIDLesperance AL, Bohman VR, Oldfield JE · Journal of animal science · 1985
Lesperance AL, Bohman VR, Oldfield JE. Interaction of molybdenum, sulfate and alfalfa in the bovine. Journal of animal science. 1985
- 14Inborn errors of molybdenum metabolism: combined deficiencies of sulfite oxidase and xanthine dehydrogenase in a patient lacking the molybdenum cofactorPMIDJohnson JL et al. · Proc Natl Acad Sci USA · 1980
Combined deficiency of sulfite oxidase and xanthine dehydrogenase due to molybdenum cofactor deficiency causes severe neurological symptoms including mental retardation and seizures.
Reference material
2- 15Adamus JP, Ruszczyńska A, Wyczałkowska-Tomasik A. Molybdenum's Role as an Essential Element in Enzymes Catabolizing Redox Reactions: A Review. Biomolecules. 2024Source linkedPMID
- 16Maiti BK, Moura I, Moura JJG. Molybdenum-Copper Antagonism In Metalloenzymes And Anti-Copper Therapy. Chembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology. 2024Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Molybdenum, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Molybdenum?
Trace mineral essential for enzyme function in sulfite and purine metabolism.
What is Molybdenum used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Molybdenum include: Detoxification; Sulfite metabolism; Enzyme function. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.
What is a typical dose of Molybdenum?
A typical adult dose of Molybdenum is 75-250 mcg daily. The commonly recommended form is Molybdenum glycinate. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Molybdenum?
Reported side effects include generally very safe, gout-like symptoms at very high doses. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Molybdenum?
NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Molybdenum in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.