The human body is a complex system composed of over sixty different elements, many of which exist only in minute, trace quantities. While major elements like oxygen and carbon are well-known, the presence of precious materials, such as gold, often comes as a surprise. Scientific analysis confirms that gold is indeed a component of the human biological makeup, raising questions about its quantity and purpose inside us.
The Exact Amount of Gold in the Body
The total quantity of gold found in the average adult human body is incredibly small, classifying it as an ultratrace element. A person weighing 70 kilograms contains, on average, approximately 0.2 milligrams of gold. To visualize this minute amount, if all the gold were purified and pressed into a solid cube, each side would measure only about 0.22 millimeters.
This concentration places gold in the parts per billion range, making it detectable only with highly sensitive analytical instruments. The trace amounts of gold are not uniformly distributed throughout the body but are concentrated in specific tissues. Detectable levels are commonly found circulating in the blood plasma, as well as in the liver, kidneys, hair, and nails.
How Gold Enters and Exits the Body
The gold present in the body is not produced internally but enters as a result of constant environmental exposure. Trace amounts are ingested daily through the diet, as gold exists naturally in soil and water and is subsequently taken up by plants and animals. Environmental factors, such as inhaling dust particles containing trace minerals, also contribute to the body’s overall gold content.
Once ingested, a small fraction of the gold is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, especially if it is in an ionized, salt form. The majority of the ingested gold, however, is not absorbed and passes through the digestive system for elimination via the feces. Absorbed gold is then distributed in the bloodstream to various organs, including the liver and kidneys.
The body does not have a dedicated mechanism to retain or utilize this element, so it is cleared over time. The primary route for the excretion of absorbed gold is through the kidneys and into the urine. This continuous process of intake and clearance maintains the minute, steady-state concentration of gold found in human tissues.
Does Gold Serve a Biological Function
The trace quantities of gold naturally present in the body are considered biologically inert, performing no known function necessary for health. Gold is classified as a non-essential element, unlike iron or zinc, which are incorporated into enzymes and proteins to perform distinct biological jobs.
The inert nature of gold is due to its low chemical reactivity, which prevents it from easily forming the complex molecules required for metabolic processes. While some research has speculated on a potential role in joint maintenance or electrical signal transmission, this is not a universally accepted function. The gold naturally found in the human body does not appear to be a requirement for life or health.
Therapeutic Uses of Gold Compounds
The lack of natural biological function is contrasted by the element’s distinct pharmacological applications in medicine. Gold compounds are used therapeutically in doses that far exceed the natural trace amounts, a practice historically known as chrysotherapy or aurotherapy. For decades, gold salts like aurothiomalate were administered via injection to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
These gold-based drugs function by modulating the immune system and reducing inflammation in the joints. More recently, the field of nanotechnology has embraced gold, utilizing gold nanoparticles for advanced medical applications. These microscopic structures are being developed for use in cancer treatment, where they can precisely target tumors, and in diagnostics due to their unique optical and conductive properties.