I took this from a site that asks that same question.
http://askville.amazon.com/ingesting-gold/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=4839365 - edgarblythe
If you are talking about things like rings and jewelry, they would remain inert and pass through the digestive system. Gold when absorbed by the body, however, is toxic, especially to the kidneys.
If you are thinking about Auranofin, a gold salt used in treating inflammatory arthritis, gold salts have been reported to decrease the inflammation of the joint lining. This effect can prevent destruction of bone and cartilage. Gold salts are called second-line drugs because they are often considered when the arthritis persists in spite of anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs and corticosteroids).
The FDA "Black Box" warning on this drug might make you pause: "Auranofin contains gold and, like other gold containing drugs, can cause gold toxicity, signs of which include: fall in hemoglobin, leukopenia below 4,000 WBC/cu mm, granulocytes below 1,500/cu mm, decrease in platelets below 150,000/cu mm, proteinuria, hematuria, pruritus, rash, stomatitis, or persistent diarrhea."
Make sure you have a physician you trust and that you give informed consent to any treatment with gold