Tag: Biocompatibility

Trace amounts of gold, about 0.2 milligrams, are naturally present in the human body, but the core question remains: does gold break down in the body when ingested or used in medical applications? The answer depends largely on its form, as pure, metallic gold behaves very differently from its ionic or nanoparticle counterparts.

Over 170 carbohydrate-based drugs have been approved for use, showcasing the significant and expanding role these biomolecules play in modern medicine. Far beyond their function as a primary energy source, carbohydrates are now crucial for applications ranging from targeted drug delivery to therapeutic agents and medical imaging.

Alginates are natural polysaccharides found in brown algae and have been used safely in the food industry for over 100 years. These versatile compounds are now prized across numerous sectors for their unique gelling, thickening, and stabilizing properties. Their benefits range from important health applications like managing acid reflux and promoting wound healing to enhancing textures in food and serving as eco-friendly biomaterials.

The average human body contains approximately 0.2 milligrams of gold, most of which circulates within the bloodstream. Yet, unlike essential minerals such as iron or zinc, the biological purpose of gold in the body's normal physiological processes is still widely debated and not fully understood. While not an essential nutrient, its unique properties have found remarkable applications in medicine, particularly in the form of gold nanoparticles and therapeutic gold compounds.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies food-grade sodium alginate as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for its approved uses, including food and, by extension, external use in many products. While typically benign for skin contact, safety precautions depend on the product's grade and form, particularly when handling the dry powder.

The human body is composed of approximately 60% calcium phosphates by dry weight in its bone tissue, a fact that highlights their fundamental biological importance. This family of biocompatible minerals finds a remarkably diverse range of applications beyond the body, extending into medicine, dentistry, agriculture, and the food industry.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), several alginate salts, including sodium and calcium alginate, are categorized as "generally regarded as safe" (GRAS) for oral consumption. This natural polysaccharide, derived from brown seaweed, is widely used across the food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industries due to its unique gelling and thickening properties.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), calcium alginate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in food, a designation that exempts it from food additive tolerance requirements. This common substance, derived from brown seaweed, is used across various industries, prompting many to question: is calcium alginate bad for you?