Molybdenum

The Basics

Molybdenum (Mo) is a trace mineral found in plant protein and in liver. It is necessary to process sulfites and sulfur foods into sulfate. It's also used to make BH4.

Reasons to Suspect

Asthma, crackly joints, arthritis, salicylate sensitivity, sulfur sensitivity, dislike of eggs or other sulfur foods, low BH4 (depression, low dopamine, low thyroid).

Sources

The best sources of molybdenum are lentils and other legumes, other plant protein, and presumably liver.

Closely Related

Diagram

Inputs/Outputs/Regulators

More Biochemistry

The enzymes that require molybdenum are:
sulfite oxidase - converts sulfite into sulfate
xanthine oxidase - used in purine synthesis, including the purines needed to make BH4
aldehyde oxidase

References

USGS: geographical distribution of Mo