Storage in the Body

• Human skeletonhuman skeleton image by david hughes from Fotolia.com
  
  Molybdenum lives in the liver, bones, kidneys and adrenal glands. It supports bone growth, strengthens teeth, helps prevent anemia and may protect against some forms of cancer.
  
  

Presence in Foods

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  Natural sources of molybdenum include meat, beans, beef liver, whole grains, wheat germ, buckwheat, dark leafy green vegetables, legumes, peas, lentils and sunflower seeds. People whose food comes from nutrient-rich soil are not deficient in this mineral.
  
  According to Health Vitamin Guide, the efficiency of absorption of molybdenum from foods ranges from about 57 percent to 88 percent. Absorption occurs rapidly from the stomach as well as the small intestine.
  
  

Proper Digestion

• The breakdown and digestion of foods in the human body is a complicated process of chemical reactions. If something goes wrong in the process, an allergic type response may occur.
  
  At the cellular level, the element molybdenum forms a compound called molybdenum cofactor (moco), which is the usable form enzymes need to complete the digestion process. The excess molybdenum is excreted in the urine.
  
  Molybdenum also helps protein synthesis and the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
  
  

Other Benefits

• Some people react allergically to the sulfites added to salad bars as a preservative to prevent growth of micro-organisms. Moco helps synthesize and use sulfites, decreasing the allergic response. Studies show a correlation between adequate molybdenum intake and a lower rate of tooth decay.
  
  Molybdenum helps the body use iron efficiently by mobilizing iron from the liver reserves, resulting in the prevention of anemia. Cells need It to properly utilize vitamin C. The human body detoxifies on a daily basis, but sometimes it can get overloaded and allergic-type symptoms can result. Nutrients, such as molybdenum, attach to the toxins and are washed out of the body during excretion, which lowers the quantity of moco available for proper body functions. As part of the detoxification process, supplements containing molybdenum are helpful.
  
  

Disease

• Molybdenum deficiency is rare because the required daily amount is well below the usual dietary intake. Severe cases of deficiency usually result in death in early childhood. Besides affecting the enzymes, other signs of moco deficiency include severe neurological abnormalities, mental retardation and dislocated ocular lenses.
  
  Moco deficiency may also lead to premature aging, impotence, esophageal cancer and mouth and gum disorders.