Compound or practice · Supplement
Molybdenum
An essential trace mineral you get plenty of from food — supplementation is almost never needed.
- Overall grade
- Grade D
- Last revised
- 1
- graded outcome
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
1 at grade D — 1 graded row
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Deficiency (very rare)Evidence grade D
Almost never seen
Unclearlow
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: Deficiency (very rare) (grade D).
The evidence in words
What it is
Molybdenum is a trace mineral cofactor for enzymes that process sulfur amino acids and purines.
How it works
It is a cofactor for sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase, and aldehyde oxidase.
What the evidence shows
Dietary deficiency is essentially unheard of outside rare genetic or long-term-parenteral-nutrition settings; there is no evidence supplementation benefits healthy people. A trace multivitamin component at most.
How to use it
No standalone supplementation needed.
Safety & interactions
Generally safe; very high intakes can affect copper metabolism.
Bottom line
You already get enough. There's no reason to supplement molybdenum by itself.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- n/a
- No standalone supplement needed.
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- ManganeseAn essential trace mineral you almost never need to supplement — and shouldn't overdo (it's neurotoxic in excess).Evidence grade C
- CalciumFood-first for bone; the supplement matters mainly when dairy is out — and megadosing may not be free of cardiovascular cost.Evidence grade B
- CopperRarely needed alone — it earns a place mainly because high-dose zinc drains it.Evidence grade C
- IodineEssential for thyroid hormone — a deficiency to prevent (iodized salt) and an excess that can itself cause thyroid trouble.Evidence grade B
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.