From the Guidelines
Molybdenum supplementation is not typically associated with causing palpitations in most individuals when taken at recommended dietary amounts. Molybdenum is an essential trace mineral that the body needs in small quantities for various enzyme functions, particularly those involved in processing sulfur-containing amino acids and certain toxins. The recommended dietary allowance for adults is quite low, around 45 micrograms per day, and most people get sufficient amounts through their regular diet from foods like legumes, grains, and leafy vegetables. However, very high doses of molybdenum supplements (far exceeding daily requirements) could potentially cause adverse effects, though palpitations are not among the commonly reported symptoms, as noted in the espen micronutrient guideline 1.
Some key points to consider:
- High doses of molybdenum have been associated with other health issues, such as aching joints, gout-like symptoms, hyperuricosuria, and elevated blood molybdenum, particularly in areas with extremely high soil contents of molybdenum 1.
- The use of molybdenum as tetrathiomolybdate is recommended for treating copper overload in Wilson's disease, with a dosage of 120 mg/day in 6 divided doses, 20 mg, as stated in the espen micronutrient guideline 1.
- If you're experiencing palpitations and suspect they might be related to a supplement you're taking, it would be advisable to discontinue the supplement and consult with a healthcare provider, as palpitations can be caused by many factors including other supplements, medications, caffeine, stress, or underlying health conditions that should be properly evaluated, according to the 2017 AHA/ACC/HRS guideline for management of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and the prevention of sudden cardiac death 1.
In terms of managing palpitations, nondihydropyridines calcium channel blockers and some antiarrhythmic medications may relieve symptoms, and an electrophysiological study may be needed to assess patients’ arrhythmogenic risk, especially in cases of complex or frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) 1.
From the Research
Molybdenum and Palpitations
- There is limited direct evidence linking molybdenum to palpitations in the provided studies.
- A case report 2 describes a patient who experienced acute psychosis, seizures, and other symptoms after consuming a dietary molybdenum supplement, but palpitations are not specifically mentioned.
- Another study 3 discusses the toxicity of molybdenum and its potential effects on human health, but does not mention palpitations as a symptom.
- The remaining studies 4, 5, 6 focus on the use of beta-blockers in treating arrhythmias and other heart conditions, but do not address the topic of molybdenum toxicity or its potential effects on heart rhythm.
Beta-Blockers and Arrhythmias
- Beta-blockers are effective in treating arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia 4, 6.
- They can help control heart rate and prevent palpitations in patients with arrhythmias 4, 6.
- However, the use of beta-blockers is not directly related to the question of whether molybdenum can cause palpitations.