Magnesium is an essential element in human metabolism and functions in the activities of muscles and nerves, protein synthesis, and many other reactions. 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. Unlike vitamins of the B complex, it does not act as a cofactor. The symptoms of scurvy result from the fact that ascorbic acid is essential for the formation and maintenance of intercellular ground substance and collagen. Hemorrhages in other tissues also occur easily with the slightest trauma. Vitamin C is used to prevent and treat scurvy and many other disorders, including various dental problems.