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. Phosphorus Phosphorus plays an important role in the hemostasis of calcium and in reactions involving carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Elemental phosphorus is extremely poisonous, but phosphorus ingested as phosphates in the diet is not toxic. Pellagra, caused by niacin deficiency, is characterized by a cutaneous eruption, at first resembling sunburn because it affects the areas of the body exposed to sunlight. The tongue becomes red and swollen, with excessive salivary secretion, and diarrhea occurs along with nausea and vomiting.