Foods rich in molybdenum

Molybdenum is a mineral that is present in the gray matter of the brain, areas of taste, smell, vision and many other tissues and organs of the human body.

The name of the element in Greek means “lead”. This is due to the fact that molybdenum has been confused with this metal for a long time.

The compound is extracted from molybdenite – a mineral that looks like graphite in appearance, has a characteristic lead luster. Interestingly, only at the end of the XVIII century, a scientist from Sweden K. Scheele, after treating molybdenum ore with concentrated nitric acid, was able to establish that the resulting metal is an absolutely different substance. During the reaction, a white mass was formed, which the Swedish chemist calcined and obtained a new chemical element.

In its pure form, molybdenum was discovered in 1817 by the Swedish chemist J. Berzelius by reducing its oxide with hydrogen. In nature, a mineral without impurities does not occur.

Characterization

Refined molybdenum is a soft silver-colored metal with a slight sheen. In the human body, it is not the trace element itself that is present, but its compounds, which, when interacting with sulfur, are absorbed into the blood and spread to tissues and organs. The largest amount of molybdenum is concentrated in the liver, kidneys, thyroid gland, and brain. As part of enzymes, it acts as a cofactor, contributing to detoxification of the body. In addition, the element is necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system, activates the exchange of sulfur-containing amino acids, keeps fluoride in the bones, strengthens tooth enamel, protects it from destruction.

The human body contains 9 mg of molybdenum. The daily requirement for a compound for adults ranges from 75 to 250 μg; for persons over 75 years of age, its intake should be reduced to 200 micrograms.

Molybdenum from food is easily absorbed in the stomach and small intestine in the form of soluble complexes. The level of absorption of the compound coming from food reaches 80%. After entering the body, the trace element binds to proteins (in particular, albumin), then transported to the tissues, cells of all organs.

In the blood, the mineral is distributed in equal proportions between plasma and formed elements. Excretion of soluble molybdenum compounds occurs with urine, feces and bile.

“On guard of health” or the biological role of molybdenum

The physiological significance of the trace element for humans was first witnessed in 1953, after the discovery of the effect of the compound on the activity of the xanthine oxidase enzyme, which is responsible for the exchange of purines in the body.

Functions of molybdenum.

1. Improves accumulation of nitrogen, strengthens synthesis of amino acids.
2. It is part of the enzymes that regulate the metabolism of uric acid, thereby preventing the development of gout. Xanthine oxidase accelerates the transformation of hypoxanthine into xanthines, sulfite oxidase – sulfite into sulfate, aldehyde oxidase oxidizes, neutralizes pteridines, purines, pyrimidines.
3. It removes toxic substances from the body that come as a result of drinking alcohol, smoking, inhaling harmful fumes in industrial enterprises.
4. Participates in the pancreas, the regulation of reproductive function (stops the development of impotence), the processes of respiration, the production of hemoglobin, the synthesis of ascorbic acid.
5. It protects the body from inflammatory reactions.
6. It has an antioxidant effect (inhibits the process of cell oxidation).
7. Prevents the onset and progression of malignant tumors.
8. Interferes with development of a dysbacteriosis, anemia, caries.
9. Improves the absorption of iron by the body.
10. Increases phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes.
11. Stimulates growth, which is especially important for children and adolescents.

Remember, taking tungsten, lead and sodium reduce the absorption of molybdenum, while copper sulfate enhances the excretion of the compound with bile. Deficiency of copper and iron, on the contrary, increases the level of trace elements in the body.

Lack of molybdenum and how to deal with it

Molybdenum deficiency is a rare occurrence that can develop due to:

• prolonged intravenous nutrition in patients with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract or in reanimation;
• tight unbalanced vegetarian diets;
• disruption of normal absorption from the intestine;
• susceptibility to stressful situations, when there is an increased need of the body for sulfitoxidase;
• excess tungsten in the body.

Symptoms of a lack of mineral in the body:

• irritability, nervousness;
• increase in heart rate (tachycardia);
• decrease in the activity of enzymes, which include molybdenum;
• reduced visual acuity, inability to see objects in twilight lighting.

Consequences of connection failure:

• disruption of the normal development of the brain, cysteine ​​metabolism, metabolism of nitrogenous bases;
• increased risk of esophageal cancer;
• mental retardation;
• reducing the excretion of inorganic sulfates, uric acid;
• deterioration of vision;
• inadequate excretion of inorganic sulphate substances;
• inhibition of methionine catabolism;
• the formation of xanthine kidney stones;
• excessive accumulation of copper, which can lead to intoxication of the body;
• decrease in growth rate, cellulose cleavage.

Symptoms and effects of deficiency can be eliminated after adding molybdenum to the daily diet. It is recommended to focus on the following foods rich in this microcell: legumes, leafy vegetables, liver, kidneys, cattle brains, dairy products.

Chronic molybdenum deficiency is compensated by the use of dietary supplements, drugs. These include the following vitamin-mineral complexes containing the element: “Stay Healthy”, “Centuri 2000”, “Vitrum”, “MultiMax”, “Gerimaks Energy”, “Centrum”, “Alphabet”, “Duovit” and the radioactive isotope ” Molybdenum-99 ”, intended for diagnostic procedures, treatment of cancer.

The assessment of the content of the mineral in the body is carried out according to the results of the study of hair and blood. Normally, the level of molybdenum in the strands is in the range from 0,02 to 2 micrograms per gram, in the bloodstream – 0,3 – 1,2 micrograms per liter. With insufficient intake, the concentration of the compound in urine, plasma and hair decreases. In addition, the activity of xanthine oxidase of erythrocytes, the level of ceruloplasmin in the blood serum, copper in urine decreases.

“A lot is not always good” or an overdose of molybdenum

This mineral is relatively non-toxic. Signs and effects of excess molybdenum in the body are manifested in the case of consumption of 10 mcg of the compound per day. The lethal dose for humans is 000 mcg.

Causes of molybdenum compound poisoning:

• inhalation of powder or pure metal under production conditions;
• excessive intake of compounds with water, food additives, food products, drugs;
• scarcity of diet for copper.

Cases of acute overdose of the body with a mineral are practically not encountered, and chronic poisoning has similar symptoms to the condition that develops with a deficiency of the compound in the body.

Signs of surplus:

• accumulation of nitrogenous wastes in the blood;
• failure of the fertilization process;
• the development of anemia, leukopenia, gout, uraturia;
• growth retardation;
• irritation of the mucous membranes;
• increased xanthine oxidase activity;
• skin pigmentation;
• weight loss;
• pneumoconiosis;
• salt deposition in the joints;
• an increase in the level of uric acid in the urine.

In case of symptoms of an overdose, consult a doctor immediately, as the consequences of untimely relief of symptoms of poisoning can pose a threat to the life of the victim.

Molybdenum: where to look for it

The amount of a trace element in plant foods (vegetables, fruits, cereals) depends on the soil where they germinated. The largest amount of molybdenum is concentrated in legumes, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, carrots, green leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, and garlic. Among the sources of compounds of animal origin, lean meats, milk, by-products can be distinguished.

Remember, molybdenum compounds are lost when defrosting meat in water, long-term cooking of vegetables in a purified form. By including pastries, offal, grains, dairy products in your daily diet, you can easily provide the body with the right level of the mineral in the body.

Thus, molybdenum is a trace element of youth and beauty. It provides high-quality detoxification of the body, strengthens bone tissue, activates metabolism, which is especially valuable for people who want to lose weight. Regular intake of the compound in a sufficient amount (75 – 250 mg) contributes to the optimal functioning of the internal organs.