Often referred to as minerals, the chemical elements are fundamental to every function in the body. They join together in crystalline structures to form bone. They shuttle independently across membranes, resulting in nerve impulses, or serve at the heart of many enzyme molecules to direct chemical processes. The importance of calcium and phosphorus to bone formation and the electrolyte role of sodium and potassium are commonly understood. Magnesium is involved in over 300 chemical reactions in the body, including all ATP transformations and therefore all cellular energy production. Depletion from food sources has resulted in a near epidemic of magnesium insufficiency. Selenium is required by the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which maintains the oxidative balance in all tissue. Low selenium, therefore, can directly influence an individual's antioxidant protection. Chromium and manganese are especially important in insulin insensitivity and Metabolic Syndrome. Zinc deficiency has been implicated in a variety of disorders, including sexual impotence, retarded growth, hair loss, and immune system depression. Because of rapid depletion of all elements, erythrocyte analysis should be standard protocol before and throughout chelation therapy. Nutrient element analysis is critical for identifying both the need for and monitoring the adequacy of either oral or IV supplementation. It is because of their diverse and vital roles that nutrient element imbalances are frequently found to be factors in degenerative diseases. Since the body cannot manufacture the elements—and daily losses are unavoidable—the nutrient elements are all "essential" and must regularly be taken in through the diet. But they are easily lost in food processing, so it's easy to see how deficiencies can occur.