Magnesium deficiency may occur in alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, and renal diseases.
Prolonged deficiency can cause changes in heart and skeletal muscle.
Excessive retention of magnesium can occur in renal disease and results in muscle weakness and hypertension. Zinc loss occurs during such stress situations as surgical operations, and its replacement aids in wound healing. Dietary programs often promote zinc loss, and the use of concentrated zinc supplements can lead to calcium deficiency. Overingestion of zinc or inhalation of its vapors can cause depression, vomiting, and headache. A prevailing theory is that oxidizing radicals build up in tissues causing degenerative changes in DNA resulting in gene expression of a cancer-promoting nature.