ABSTRACT
Molybdenum is an essential nutrient for animals, but its importance in human health has been uncertain, since a molybdenum deficiency in the human has seldom been recognized. Human investigations on molybdenum deficiency and metabolism have been difficult to conduct because of the inability to formulate diets with a low content of the element along with its apparent low daily requirement. Molybdenum measurements are performed with the use of atomic absorption spectrophotometry and atomic emission spectrometry. Molybdenum is conserved at low intakes but is rapidly excreted in the urine when the intake is high. Molybdenum cofactor deficiency as associated with an inborn error of metabolism would appear not to be associated with a dietary deficiency of molybdenum. In the human, high dietary intakes of molybdenum have been associated with soils high in molybdenum and may relate to the high incidence of gout observed in these areas.
