The human body holds many surprising secrets, including the presence of elements not commonly associated with life. While gold is widely recognized as a precious metal, trace amounts are found within each of us. This fact prompts a deeper look into its presence and functions.
Gold’s Presence and Amount
Gold is a naturally occurring element within the human body, though it exists in extremely minute quantities. An average adult weighing around 70 kilograms contains approximately 0.2 milligrams of gold. To put this into perspective, if this trace amount were to be purified and formed into a solid cube, each side would measure only about 0.22 millimeters.
This minuscule quantity is far too small to be visible or to have any material value. The gold present in the body is not in a solid, metallic form but rather in an ionic or compound state. It is distributed throughout various tissues and organs, with a notable concentration in the blood.
Gold’s Role in the Body
Unlike essential minerals such as iron or calcium, gold is not currently understood to have a fundamental biological function necessary for human survival. Some research has suggested potential involvement in joint health and the transmission of electrical signals within the nervous system.
Despite its non-essential status, gold has a significant history in medical applications. Gold compounds, often referred to as “gold salts,” have been used therapeutically, notably in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis since 1935. These treatments, known as chrysotherapy or aurotherapy, aim to reduce inflammation and slow disease progression. Modern medicine also utilizes gold in advanced ways, such as gold nanoparticles in cancer treatments for targeted drug delivery and imaging, and in exploratory research for neurodegenerative diseases.
How Gold Enters and Exits the Body
Trace amounts of gold enter the human system primarily through environmental exposure, particularly through dietary sources. Small quantities of gold are present in the food we eat and the water we drink. Additionally, it can be found in the soil and even in the air as dust. The body can also absorb minute amounts through skin contact, such as from jewelry.
Once ingested or absorbed, gold circulates within the bloodstream before being distributed to various tissues. The kidneys and liver play a part in filtering and excreting absorbed gold.
Furthermore, gold is naturally released from the body through common biological processes, including sweating, the shedding of skin cells, and hair growth. This continuous processing ensures that under normal circumstances, gold does not accumulate to harmful levels.