Molybdenum

Basic Information about Molybdenum

Molybdenum is a natural occurring metal. On the Periodic Table of Elements, it is element number forty-two. On the Periodic Table of Elements, Molybdenum is a transition metal, which means it is an incomplete d sub-shell. Molybdenum was discovered by a Swedish Chemist, Carl, Welhelm, Scheele, in 1778. He found molybdenum in a mineral that was confused as a lead compound. Molybdenum was then isolated in 1781 by another Swedish Chemist by the name of Peter Jacob Hjelm. Molybdenum is typically found as a byproduct of mining and the processing of copper. As a metal, molybdenum is used to make missile and aircraft parts, and molybdenum is also used with nuclear power, but mostly molybdenum is used with alloying steel.

Even though molybdenum has many scientific uses, it is necessary for all life forms, humans and animals. Molybdenum helps to catalyze very important chemical changes with carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. Several tissues of the human body contain molybdenum. Most of the molybdenum is found in the liver, kidneys, skin, and bones of the human body. Molybdenum is important for people’s health and the ecosystem. Food is the major source of molybdenum; therefore the amount of molybdenum in the plant and the soil is critical to the amount of molybdenum a person gets.

Sources of Molybdenum

Molybdenum is a transition metal that is found naturally in soils. Soils in different parts of the world have different amounts of molybdenum present. Molybdenum is mostly found in the United States, China, Chile, Peru, and Canada. It is also found in many other areas of the world. Since plants grow in soil, molybdenum will transfer itself into the plant. There are many good plant and other sources of molybdenum.

The highest source of molybdenum comes from beans, lentils, and peas. Good sources of molybdenum are found in grains and nuts. A low source of molybdenum is found in animal products, fruits, and some vegetables. One hundred grams of lima beans has eight hundred seventy micrograms, one hundred grams of small white beans has four hundred fifty micrograms, one hundred grams of yellow split peas has two hundred fifty micrograms, one hundred grams of oats has one hundred eighty micrograms, one hundred grams of chili beans has one hundred ten micrograms, one hundred grams string beans has sixty micrograms, one hundred grams of rice has twenty-nine micrograms, one hundred grams of eggs has nine micrograms, one hundred grams of spinach and one hundred grams of potatoes each have seven micrograms, and one hundred grams of milk has five micrograms of molybdenum. Along with these foods, you can find molybdenum in dark green leafy vegetables, milk products, wheat flour, and other grains.

Health Benefits of Molybdenum

Molybdenum has oral health benefits. Studies have shown that having proper amounts of molybdenum in a person’s diet can possibly protect against tooth decay other mouth and gum disease. Molybdenum also helps with the breaking down of sulfite toxins that build up in the body. Molybdenum is sometimes used to treat a copper toxicity. Molybdenum is part of three enzymes: sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase, and aldehyde oxidase. These enzymes produce uric acid, carbohydrate metabolism, using iron properly in the body, and detoxify alcohol and sulfite. Studies have shown that molybdenum may possibly have some antioxidant properties. Sulfite oxidase helps to change sulfite into sulfate. This change is necessary for metabolism of amino acids containing sulfer. Xanthine oxidase and aldehyde help metabolize drugs and toxins. Of these three enzymes, sulfite oxidase is the most important for a person’s health. One of the important health benefits of molybdenum is the detoxification of the liver. Molybdenum breaks down specific amino acids and waste for urine. Molybdenum is especially important for women who are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant. The baby’s health and development depend on the health of the mother. Pregnant women should be taking a multivitamin to make sure they are getting enough molybdenum along with those other foods that are rich in molybdenum: beans, rice, whole grains, milk, and green vegetables.

How to Get Enough Molybdenum in a Healthy Diet

Even though most people have healthy diets and get enough molybdenum by eating foods such as beans, rice, whole grains, milk, and green vegetables, sometimes we need just a little bit more help. We can get that help by taking a multivitamin. Taking a multivitamin can help a person get the essential amounts of the vitamins and minerals our bodies need each day.

However, we can’t solely rely on a multivitamin. It is important to eat a balanced diet. Making sure that the diet is filled with a variety of foods can help a person to ensure they are eating the correct vitamins and minerals. Using a multivitamin can help a person fill in the gaps of those vitamins and minerals they are getting enough of. The amount of molybdenum a person gets from foods depends on the amount of molybdenum that is present in the soil it is grown in.

Surprisingly most people do not get the amounts of vitamins and minerals the Food and Nutrition Board recommend a person get. Due to living in a fast paced world sometimes people neglect these proper amounts that are recommended. Taking a multivitamin can not only give us the vitamins and minerals we may be lacking, but a multivitamin can also help prevent disease. If a person is getting the daily recommended amounts, the chances of possible becoming deficient in a vitamin or mineral lessens. Eating the amounts of processed foods that are eaten today cuts back on those vitamins and minerals our body needs.

The best thing a person can do is to eat a well balanced diet and take a multivitamin. This will ensure our bodies are getting the right amounts of vitamins and minerals. Make sure you find a multivitamin that is gender specific. Men and women need different amounts of vitamins and minerals; especially women who are pregnant. Women who are pregnant need higher levels of folic acid, calcium, and iron to help with the development of the baby. Folic acid helps with the prevention of neural tube defects, calcium helps the baby develop strong bones and teeth, and iron helps the development of blood and muscle cells in the baby. It is important to be concerned about the type of multivitamin you are taking because they need to be gender specific.