Molybdenum
Description
Molybdenum is a vital trace mineral, meaning the body requires it in small amounts for various critical biological processes. It primarily functions as a cofactor for four key enzymes in humans: sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, and mitochondrial amidoxime-reducing component (mARC). These enzymes play crucial roles in metabolic pathways, particularly in breaking down certain substances and facilitating detoxification. Sulfite oxidase is essential for the metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids, converting potentially toxic sulfites into harmless sulfates, which are then excreted from the body. Xanthine oxidase is involved in purine metabolism, a process that breaks down purines into uric acid. Aldehyde oxidase helps in the detoxification of various aldehydes, including those derived from alcohol and certain medications, while mARC is also implicated in the detoxification of diverse compounds. Adequate molybdenum intake is important for overall health, especially for maintaining healthy detoxification pathways and proper sulfur metabolism. While true deficiencies are rare in healthy individuals consuming a balanced diet, certain genetic conditions or prolonged specialized nutritional support can lead to deficiency symptoms affecting neurological function and sulfite processing.
Sources
Legumes (beans, lentils, peas)Grains (oats, wheat)NutsLeafy green vegetablesMilkLiver
Cheapest Molybdenum supplements
Best Molybdenum supplements
Value Molybdenum supplements
Timing & Intake
AnytimeWith food
Can be taken with food to improve absorption and minimize potential stomach upset, although it is generally well-tolerated.
Daily Intake
RDA (Men)45 mcg
RDA (Women)45 mcg
RDI45 mcg
Optimal Dosage
Minimum75 mcg
Maximum300 mcg
Safety & Toxicity
Upper Limit (UL)2000 mcg
Toxicity Threshold5000 mcg
Toxicity EffectGout-like symptoms, kidney damage
Interactions
Recommended products
Best 
ecoDetox
ecoNugenics
Molybdenum: 250 mcg
ecoDetox is a multi-faceted supplement that combines active B vitamins and chelated minerals with specialized botanical blends to support general health, energy, and the body's natural detoxification processes.
Budget 
Complete Multivitamin Adults 50+
Equate
Molybdenum: 45 mcg
This multivitamin for adults 50+ offers a foundational blend of essential vitamins, minerals, and key carotenoids like Lutein and Lycopene, supporting general health, bone density, and vision at a very accessible price.
Budget 
Sentry Adults
21st Century
Molybdenum: 45 mcg
A very affordable and broad-spectrum daily multivitamin and multimineral for adults, offering foundational nutritional support for overall well-being.
Value 
Thyroid Complex
The Vitamin Shoppe
Molybdenum: 150 mcg
This Thyroid Complex offers a blend of minerals, B vitamins, L-Tyrosine, and glandular extracts intended to support healthy thyroid function and overall metabolic energy.
Best 
Only Trace Minerals
Life Extension
Molybdenum: 250 mcg
This blend delivers a wide array of trace minerals in well-chosen forms, making it a solid and economical choice for broad nutritional support.
Best 
Extra Strength Glucosamine Chondroitin
Source Naturals
Molybdenum: 320 mcg
This supplement combines significant doses of glucosamine and chondroitin for primary joint support, complemented by manganese and molybdenum to aid connective tissue and metabolic functions.
Budget 
Sentry Senior
21st Century
Molybdenum: 45 mcg
A comprehensive and affordable daily multivitamin for seniors, providing essential vitamins, minerals, plus Lutein and Lycopene for broad health and vision support.
Budget 
One Daily Maximum
21st Century
Molybdenum: 160 mcg
This multivitamin delivers a broad spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals at a very accessible price point, designed for general daily nutritional support.
Best 
InflaMed
Allergy Research Group
Molybdenum: 300 mcg
<p>This supplement is a targeted blend of minerals and herbal extracts, focused on supporting joint comfort and the body's healthy inflammatory processes.</p>
Budget 
Complete Multivitamin
Equate
Molybdenum: 45 mcg
This multivitamin delivers a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals at a highly affordable price, making it a sensible choice for basic daily nutritional support for many adults.
Budget 
Complete Multivitamin Adults 50+
Equate
Molybdenum: 45 mcg
This multivitamin is designed for adults over 50, offering higher Vitamin D3 and eye-supporting nutrients at a very cost-effective price, providing good daily nutritional support.
Budget 
Mature Multi
Kirkland Signature
Molybdenum: 45 mcg
This multivitamin for mature adults provides a comprehensive nutrient blend with higher B12 and Folic Acid, offering good value for general daily support despite some unspecified ingredient forms.
Best 
LDA Trace Mineral Complex
Klaire Labs
Molybdenum: 250 mcg
This trace mineral complex provides a wide array of essential minerals in well-absorbed forms, making it a solid choice for general health support and mineral repletion.
Best 
Extra Strength Glucosamine Chondroitin
Source Naturals
Molybdenum: 320 mcg
This supplement offers key joint-supporting ingredients, glucosamine and chondroitin, along with manganese and molybdenum for broader connective tissue and metabolic support, aimed at maintaining joint comfort and function.
Best 
Molybdenum
Douglas Laboratories
Molybdenum: 250 mcg
Douglas Laboratories offers a 250mcg amino acid chelate molybdenum tablet, providing a moderate, well-absorbed dose for metabolic support.
Value 
NAC N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine
Lake Avenue Nutrition
Molybdenum: 50 mcg
Offering 600mg of NAC, L-Selenomethionine, and Sodium Molybdate, this Lake Avenue Nutrition supplement aims to support antioxidant activity and detoxification for general health.
Value 
NAC Detox Regulators
Doctor's Best
Molybdenum: 50 mcg
This larger package of Doctor's Best NAC offers 600mg of NAC with premium, bioavailable forms of Selenium and Molybdenum, supporting long-term detoxification and antioxidant needs at a great value.
Budget 
Vegan Multivitamin & Mineral Supplement
DEVA
Molybdenum: 22.5 mcg
This vegan multivitamin provides a broad spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals in a convenient tablet form, suitable for daily nutritional support on a plant-based diet.
Value 
NAC 600 mg
NOW
Molybdenum: 50 mcg
A 600mg NAC supplement from NOW, fortified with L-Selenomethionine and Sodium Molybdate, designed to support antioxidant levels and general cellular health.
Budget 
Sentry Adults
21st Century
Molybdenum: 45 mcg
A very affordable and broad-spectrum daily multivitamin and multimineral for adults, offering foundational nutritional support for overall well-being.
Best 
Moly-B
Carlson
Molybdenum: 500 mcg
Carlson Moly-B provides a potent 500mcg dose of molybdenum as a glycinate chelate, known for its high bioavailability and strong support for metabolic processes.
Best 
Moly-B
Carlson
Molybdenum: 500 mcg
Carlson Moly-B tablets deliver 500mcg of highly absorbable molybdenum glycinate chelate, providing strong support for metabolic enzyme functions.
Value 
NAC 600 mg
NOW
Molybdenum: 50 mcg
This product combines NAC, a glutathione precursor, with essential trace minerals Selenium and Molybdenum to support general well-being and cellular health.
Value 
Chelated Molybdenum
Solgar
Molybdenum: 150 mcg
This Solgar supplement delivers 150mcg of molybdenum in an amino acid chelate form, offering a well-absorbed and moderately dosed option for general trace mineral support.
Budget 
Complete Multivitamin
Equate
Molybdenum: 45 mcg
This multivitamin offers a broad range of basic vitamins and minerals to support general daily health and fill common nutritional gaps at an economical price.
Best 
Active Health Teen
Rainbow Light
Molybdenum: 252 mcg
This multivitamin offers a wide range of essential nutrients, minerals, and specialized blends to support the overall health and unique needs of growing teenagers, focusing on daily wellness and specific adolescent concerns.
Product stats
Price per product
Average$33.41
Median$28.78
Price per serving
Average$0.82
Median$0.66
Price per 10 mcg
Average$0.26
Median$0.14
Price distribution
Price per serving distribution
Price per 10 mcg
Reference amount: 10 mcg
Forms
Paired ingredients
Ingredient forms
Sodium Molybdate (115) 65
Sodium Molybdate is a water-soluble inorganic salt of molybdenum, often found in mineral supplements. It is a readily available source of molybdenum and is generally well-absorbed, though its bioavailability can sometimes be lower compared to organic chelated forms.
Pros
- Readily available and cost-effective
- Generally well-absorbed
Cons
- Bioavailability potentially lower than chelated forms
- May cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort in sensitive individuals at higher doses
Per product
Avg$22.77
Med$19.10
Per serving
Avg$0.53
Med$0.46
Per 10 mcg
Avg$0.11
Med$0.06
Price distribution
Molybdenum Amino Acid Chelate (80) 85
Molybdenum Amino Acid Chelate involves molybdenum ions bound to one or more amino acids (e.g., glycine, methionine). This chelation process protects the mineral from interference during digestion, leading to improved solubility, stability, and absorption across the intestinal wall compared to inorganic forms.
Pros
- Enhanced absorption and bioavailability
- Generally well-tolerated and gentle on the stomach
- Reduced potential for competitive inhibition with other minerals
Cons
- Typically higher cost than inorganic forms
Per product
Avg$29.13
Med$24.99
Per serving
Avg$0.69
Med$0.53
Per 10 mcg
Avg$0.23
Med$0.10
Price distribution
Molybdenum Glycinate Chelate (53) 90
Molybdenum Glycinate Chelate involves molybdenum bound to a glycine molecule. Glycine is a small amino acid that forms a stable chelate, which is efficiently absorbed through the intestinal wall using amino acid transport pathways. This form is designed to bypass potential absorption inhibitors and enhance mineral delivery to tissues.
Pros
- High bioavailability and absorption
- Gentle on the stomach and well-tolerated
- Stable chelate minimizes interactions with other dietary components
Cons
- Higher cost compared to inorganic forms
Per product
Avg$32.42
Med$31.96
Per serving
Avg$0.74
Med$0.54
Per 10 mcg
Avg$0.21
Med$0.12
Price distribution
Molybdenum Glycinate (52) 88
Molybdenum Glycinate is a chelated form where molybdenum is complexed with glycine. Similar to Molybdenum Glycinate Chelate, this form leverages the small size and efficient absorption pathways of glycine to deliver molybdenum effectively into the body. It is often favored for its enhanced bioavailability over simpler inorganic salts.
Pros
- Good bioavailability and absorption
- Well-tolerated and less likely to cause digestive upset
- Stable form for mineral delivery
Cons
- Higher cost compared to inorganic forms
Per product
Avg$40.05
Med$35.38
Per serving
Avg$0.88
Med$0.65
Per 10 mcg
Avg$0.20
Med$0.14
Price distribution
fermented Molybdenum Bisglycinate (31) 95
Fermented Molybdenum Bisglycinate is a premium form where molybdenum is chelated with two glycine molecules (forming a bisglycinate chelate), and then subjected to a fermentation process. This combination aims to maximize stability, solubility, and bioavailability, ensuring efficient uptake and utilization by the body. Glycine is a small amino acid, which allows for efficient transport across the intestinal wall, and fermentation may aid digestion and provide additional nutrient benefits.
Pros
- Exceptional bioavailability and absorption due to bisglycinate chelation and fermentation
- Very gentle on the digestive system
- Stable chelate that resists breakdown in the stomach
Cons
- Higher cost due to advanced processing
- Less commonly available
Per product
Avg$38.33
Med$36.14
Per serving
Avg$0.69
Med$0.67
Per 10 mcg
Avg$0.29
Med$0.16
Price distribution
Molybdenum Citrate (23) 82
Molybdenum Citrate is a form where molybdenum is chelated with citric acid. Citrate is a well-known organic acid that enhances the solubility and absorption of minerals in the digestive tract. This chelated form is generally well-tolerated and offers improved bioavailability compared to simple inorganic molybdenum salts.
Pros
- Enhanced absorption and bioavailability due to citrate chelation
- Readily available and well-tolerated
- Citrate has its own metabolic benefits
Cons
- Higher cost compared to inorganic forms
Per product
Avg$25.25
Med$21.99
Per serving
Avg$0.65
Med$0.36
Per 10 mcg
Avg$0.28
Med$0.16
Price distribution
TRAACS Molybdenum Glycinate Chelate (19) 90
Molybdenum Glycinate Chelate involves molybdenum bound to a glycine molecule. Glycine is a small amino acid that forms a stable chelate, which is efficiently absorbed through the intestinal wall using amino acid transport pathways. This form is designed to bypass potential absorption inhibitors and enhance mineral delivery to tissues.
Pros
- High bioavailability and absorption
- Gentle on the stomach and well-tolerated
- Stable chelate minimizes interactions with other dietary components
Cons
- Higher cost compared to inorganic forms
Per product
Avg$46.71
Med$46.00
Per serving
Avg$1.42
Med$1.06
Per 10 mcg
Avg$0.31
Med$0.14
Price distribution
Molybdenum Krebs Complex (17) 89
Molybdenum Krebs Complex refers to molybdenum bound to organic acids such as citrate, malate, succinate, fumarate, or alpha-ketoglutarate, which are naturally occurring intermediates in the Krebs (citric acid) cycle. These complexes are designed to improve mineral solubility, stability, and absorption by leveraging natural metabolic pathways, leading to enhanced bioavailability.
Pros
- Improved bioavailability due to organic acid carriers
- Carriers are natural metabolic compounds, potentially aiding cellular utilization
- Well-tolerated
Cons
- Higher cost compared to inorganic forms
- Less commonly available than some other chelated forms
Per product
Avg$37.60
Med$36.95
Per serving
Avg$1.12
Med$0.83
Per 10 mcg
Avg$0.30
Med$0.24
Price distribution
Molybdenum Chelate (16) 80
Molybdenum Chelate refers to molybdenum complexed with various organic ligands, such as amino acids (e.g., glycine, methionine) or organic acids. This chelation process aims to protect the mineral during digestion and facilitate its absorption, leading to better bioavailability than non-chelated forms. The specific efficacy can vary depending on the particular chelating agent used.
Pros
- Improved absorption and bioavailability over inorganic forms
- Generally well-tolerated
Cons
- Specificity of chelate can vary between products (e.g., not all chelates are equal)
- Higher cost than inorganic forms
Per product
Avg$30.14
Med$30.58
Per serving
Avg$0.60
Med$0.67
Per 100 mcg
Avg$0.79
Med$0.73
Price distribution
S. cerevisiae (16) 87
S. cerevisiae (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a molybdenum form means the mineral has been incorporated into the yeast cells during their growth. This process creates a 'food-form' mineral, mimicking how minerals naturally occur in foods. This form is believed to enhance absorption and utilization due to the natural delivery system provided by the yeast matrix, potentially offering additional nutritional benefits from the yeast itself.
Pros
- High bioavailability, often considered a 'food-form' mineral
- May be better tolerated by individuals sensitive to inorganic mineral salts
- Provides additional nutrients from the yeast matrix
Cons
- Potential for yeast allergies or sensitivities
- Higher cost than inorganic forms
Per product
Avg$44.81
Med$37.27
Per serving
Avg$0.94
Med$1.04
Per 10 mcg
Avg$0.22
Med$0.22
Price distribution