The Molybdenum Connection
As it relates to Candida, those of you who have read the work of Dr. Orion Truss, will already have been alerted to his assertion that much of the harm done by Candida results from it’s waste product, acetaldehyde, which in turn can affect the metabolic, neurological, endocrine, and immune systems. Further, that few chemicals can create so much havoc in the body as acetaldehyde. It may interfere with the receptors for acetylcholine which is supposedly the major neurotransmitter in the corpus callosum. Formaldehyde is related to acetaldehyde in the aldehyde chain of chemicals. Acetaldehyde is a fungal waste product.
Dr. Stephen Cooter, in his book Beating Chronic Disease, states that “Candida is responsible for flooding the system with an accumulation of toxic acetaldehydes. Acetaldehydes are known to poison tissues—accumulating in the brain, spinal cord, joints, muscles and tissues.” Dr. Cooter further states that molybdenum .. A mineral .. not a medication, but a nutrient, had a blanket reputation for breaking down yeast by-products into forms that the body could excrete. “Molybdenum is chemically responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde into acetic acid. Acetaldehyde cannot be excreted from the body; it accumulates. Acetic acid can be, though, and the body naturally removes it or changes it into acetyl coenzyme A, a major player in the body’s energy system. Acetaldehyde accumulations in tissue are responsible for weakness in muscles, irritation, and pain.”
Acetaldehyde is a particularly toxic substance which, in addition to being processed by threonine and ethanol, is a product of the metabolism (i.e. fermentation) of carbohydrate in yeast — hence the Candida Connection.
Candida, according to antibody studies done at the Atkins Center, is involved in more than 80% of all cases of Crohn’s and Colitis.
Acetaldehyde is thought to be the major source of tissue damage in alcoholics rather than the ethanol itself and is suspected of being responsible for some symptoms of alcoholism, including alcoholic heart muscle disease.
Molybdenum FAQ
Many times, people suffering from chronic illness have been placed on several prescription medications simply to relieve the pain and suffering. Symptomatic drug-relief of chronic illness almost always leads to an overload of the liver and other detoxifying systems of the body. These drugs tend to develop into allergens causing a multitude of problems that are often blamed on the illness instead of the medications. Molybdenum shines in this situation, because it can act as a chelating agent, which latches onto these toxins allowing them to be excreted via the urine. Doctors have also used molybdenum to remedy many drug allergies, at times eliminating the adverse effects of a medication so that the desired effect is manifested unhindered.
Molybdenum is useful in phase 1 liver detoxification to help oxidize sulfites (found in many preservatives), alcohol (in beverages and medications), aldehydes (a toxic by-product of metabolizing various chemicals), and other toxic substances. External toxins, including petrochemicals such as pesticides, personal-care products, and heavy metals such as mercury, play a major role in the development and perpetuation of chronic illness. The sources and use of these toxins must be eliminated and replaced with nontoxic products – source reduction is imperative if any hope of successful detoxification of the tissues is to be achieved.
Aldehydes are the primary toxin seen in the chronically ill patient. Aldehydes are pickling agents. They are responsible for the hangover experienced after overindulgence of alcohol and tobacco smoker’s hangover from excessive smoking. They have also been blamed for the hangover some people experience when they drink or eat products containing NutraSweet or aspartame. Aspartame is metabolized into aldehydes during digestion. When aldehydes irritate skin, you get eczema. When aldehydes irritate muscles, you get muscle fatigue. When they irritate the myelin sheath surrounding nerves, you get increased neurological symptoms such as those seen in Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.). Because aldehydes are central nervous system excitotoxins, long-term irritation may lead to Amylotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Fibromyalgia, which is an incomplete list. If for this reason alone one were to use molybdenum, the benefits would be recognized immediately, however this one element is beneficial in many more ways.
Formaldehyde is ever present in our society today. It is in just about every processed item. Even most of our toothpaste is loaded up with formaldehyde. Americans are being slowly preserved from the absorption of minute amounts of formaldehyde over a prolonged period of time. It is bio-accumulative; meaning it gets stored in the body over time, until toxic levels reach a critical stage.
An informal un-blinded study was performed using thirty-one people to see the subjective effect of one nutrient in the aldehyde pathway, molybdenum. Subjective symptom charts were filled out before beginning the study and once again after completing the 30 days of taking a 100mcg tablet three time per day. The participants all shared symptoms of chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, joint pain, headaches, concentration problems, memory problems, problems with depression, and insomnia. Participants ranged in age from 36-84. The average age was 54. The study included 13 men and 18 women. Beneficial results took place for two-thirds of the participants, as charted below.
Why should I take Molybdenum?
Beneficial results took place for two-thirds of the participants. Chronic Fatigue 65% reported improved energy levels.
- Chronic Weakness: 68% reported improved strength.
- Joint Pain: 61% reported slight-dramatic improvement.
- Chronic Muscle Pain: 61% reported less pain to pain free.
- Headaches: 55% reported fewer or no headaches.
- Mental Concentration: 65% reported small to dramatic improvements.
- Memory: 71% reported small to dramatic
improvements in ability.
- Depression: 55% reported improvement in mood.
- Insomnia: 61% reported improved sleep patterns.
Clinical studies have indicated tremendous benefit in limiting the increased symptoms experienced from the die-off from the effective treatment of Candida yeast infections. When the yeast cells are killed, the cells rupture spilling their toxic contents into the bloodstream. The toxins from this die-off are known neurotoxins that can increase the pain and suffering of these patients. A similar phenomenon occurs in the treatment of bacterial infections. In this case it is referred to as a Jarish-Herxhiemer reaction. The bacterial walls rupture spilling bacterial juices into the bloodstream. In both of these cases the liver, which is usually already over-taxed, is forced to deal with this increased toxic load. If the toxic load is not reduced somehow, increased symptoms such as malaise, fatigue, myalgia, headaches, rashes, and a plethora of problems can result. Molybdenum is uniquely specific in dealing with these toxins, reducing these die- off symptoms.
A simple test utilizing a one-time administration of caffeine, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and aspirin, followed by collecting saliva and urine samples, can clarify how well the liver’s detoxification phases are working. This diagnostic procedure is especially important for people who undergo any long-term drug therapy. Those people with abnormal liver detoxification profiles are probably the ones who will have the most severe Jarish-Herxhiemer reactions, die-off problems, or adverse reactions to the medications. Including molybdenum in a well rounded detoxification program, prior and during treatment, may help limit these unwanted problems.
A primary detoxifier in chronic illness.
Molybdenum is a mineral needed by the human body in only trace amounts, however it plays a significant role especially in people suffering from any chronic illness. The official recommended daily allowance (RDA) is between 150-500 mcg daily. Keep in mind that the RDA’s were set up to establish the minimum daily amount to avoid a pathological disease from a deficiency of a given nutrient. Many doctors whose specialties are in chronic illness, recommend that their patients use between 150-1000 mcg daily.
“Superior” Chelated Molybdenum
Healthy Life Harvest™
Molybdenum
90 Capsules (300mcg per capsule)
Dear Healthy Life Harvest,
Dear Healthy Life Harvest, I’m a fifty year old woman and recently diagnosed with IC. I’ve recently tried your IC Aloe Vera and have found some relief. I would like to set up an autoship program on this product. I’m intrigued by some of your other products as well, specifically, molybdenum, Maca and Breakstone. I’m a lifetime insomniac and do have periods of mental and physical fatigue. Ironically, I have been sleeping better since I started on the IC Aloe Vera. I am very impressed with your IC Aloe Vera, because I’ve tried other natural remedies through the years and have rarely found them to be successful. Thank You. *
Patricia, Mother in USA