Molybdenum and your health

Low molybdenum is often associated with various forms of spinal degeneration and related symptoms. The incidence is higher in individuals with high copper levels (from copper plumbing pipes, or excessive supplementation), due to copper being antagonist to molybdenum, suppressing its levels in the body. Molybdenum deficiency may also potentiate development of some cancers, or result in elevated triglycerides.

Why would you have low molybdenum levels? For one, because it is nearly non-existent in the modern Western diet of processed foods. Secondly, because its absorption and assimilation can be suppressed by the excessive intake of some other commonly ingested minerals, such as copper (from your plumbing pipes), or calcium from your self-styled supplementation.

Excessive molybdenum levels, on the other hand, may cause gout-like symptoms, bone loss, and impaired development in children.

Molybdenum DRI (Dietary Reference Intakes, the most recent set of dietary recommendations set by the government) for an average healthy adult is set at 0.05mg. This may be insufficient, especially considering that molybdenum antagonists include, with already mentioned copper and calcium, also fluoride and phosphorus - all minerals with disproportionably elevated levels in relatively significant portion of the population (due to fluoride commonly added to drinking water, high intake of foods of animal origin, as well as junk foods and sodas, all rich in phosphorus).

Also, molybdenum is found primarily in plant food sources (particularly whole grains and legumes), generally insufficiently present in the typical Western diet.