Supplements A diet containing generous amounts of fresh vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and meat assures an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals. Extra vitamin intake is not necessary. Some disorders, including hyperthyroidism, infectious diseases accompanied by fever, and tissue-wasting diseases, also cause increased tissue requirements. 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. Folic Acid Chemically, folic acid is pteroylglutamic acid. Nucleic acid synthesis cannot take place without the presence of folic acid. Deficiency in humans results in various anemia and can be produced by antivitamins such as methotrexate, which is used in cancer chemotherapy. Deficiency is relatively rare unless caused by an antivitamin, tropical sprue, or pregnancy.