Curcumin (Tumeric Extract)

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Posted by: Patrick24599 Oct 5 2005, 08:53 AM

[PRODUCT]1218[/PRODUCT] Maybe someone here has an idea what is causing this. I wasn't able to find any information about it on the web. After hearing about the health benefits of Curcumin, my mother bought herself and me a bottle of it.

Within 8 hours of taking one Curcumin capsule, however, the fingers on my right hand will begin to yellow along with small yellow splotches on the palm. The real strange thing is, my mother developes the exact same yellowing on her right hand.

I know it's not from handling the capsules, so does anyone have any clue what is causing this?

Posted by: Patrick24599 Oct 5 2005, 09:51 AM

That's what I was thinking. It is known to increase bile production. A quick Google search found me this:

QUOTE

GILBERT'S SYNDROME

What is it?
Gilbert’s Syndrome is an inherited disorder where there is a defect in the ability of the liver to excrete bile pigment (bilirubin). This can lead to yellow skin and eye discoloration (jaundice), which fluctuates in degree.

How is it diagnosed?
Gilbert’s Syndrome is detected by finding a slightly raised bilirubin level in the blood with no other abnormalities of liver function and no signs of liver disease. Bilirubin is a major breakdown product of hemoglobin.

What is bilirubin?
• Bilirubin is the major breakdown product that results from the destruction of old red blood cells (as well as some other sources). It is removed from the blood by the liver, chemically modified by a process call conjugation. The water solubility of bilirubin allows the bilirubin to be excreted into bile. Bile then is used to digest food. The bilirubin secreted into the bile, passes into the intestine and to some extent reabsorbed from the intestine.

• It is basically the pigment that gives feces its brown color.

Is It Common?
It is surprisingly common, affecting 2% to 5% of the population.

What are the symptoms?
Gilbert’s Syndrome is generally harmless and does not produce any symptoms, although some sufferers complain of excessive fatigue. Gilbert’s Syndrome does not require medical treatment or long term medical attention, and patients with this syndrome should not be led to believe that they have a liver disease. The major importance of establishing the correct diagnosis is so that the patient can be informed they do not have a serious disease, and unnecessary investigations can be avoided in the future.

I wonder if this has been passed along in my family, and the increase bile production associated with Curcumin is exacerbating its symptoms.

Posted by: Patrick24599 Oct 5 2005, 10:08 AM

Yeah, we both stopped taking it.

I was taking it before bed and would notice the yellowing in the morning. My mother took it with breakfast and noticed it in the afternoon. After we stopped taking them, the yellowing cleared up in about 12 hours.

Posted by: tsc Oct 5 2005, 04:27 PM

Are you sure the yellowing wasn't from handling the caps? The curcumin (ie the rhizomes of curcuma domestca/longa) are a natural dye that have been used for thousands of years. It is a strong yellow or orange dye depending on the variety. The plant has been cultivated for both spice and DYE for a very long time... and its good and both. If you were taking it at night, perhaps it didn't show up immediately because your hands were dry at the time. I don't think you are having any adverse reaction. To test this out, take a cap and rub it across some other area of your skin and see what happens.

TSC

Posted by: trouble Oct 5 2005, 04:37 PM

<laugh> TSC nailed it.

The mustard coloring becomes even more pronounced with the acidity of the skin, from handling capsules that were cheaply bulk produced and have tumeric powder dust on the outside of the caps and inside of the bottle. The extract, if you open a cap, wil be found to be a finely divided, mildly lipophilic powder. Tremendous staining capability, keep that in mind when you handle it.

Can't tell you how often I have had this problem from taking my tumeric supps (3x per day, with meals, one to two caps). I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this supp for all forum members as an excellent natural inflammation regulator).

Using curcumin and capsains (cayenne pepper) has made a world of difference, along with BCAAs and omega-3 oils, in my recovery time.

Posted by: Patrick24599 Oct 6 2005, 08:41 AM

That's what I thought at first too, but as I said, it's not from handling the capsules. The yellow staining continued even when I began dumping the capsule right from the bottle into my mouth.

I will try just handling a capsule tonight to see what happens.

Posted by: imichael Oct 6 2005, 08:58 AM

Could be acting as a very low grade low cost self tan pill? check the soles of your feet for a similar staining affect.

Posted by: Patrick24599 Oct 9 2005, 10:04 PM

Let the truth be told. I am a moron.

Yep, it was just from the excess powder that was outside the capsules. It was even all around the top of the bottle, so simply opening it would get a small amount of the residue on my hand.

I also know why I only noticed it in the morning. My apartment is lit with "yellow" light so I couldn't see it. It was only until I went out on my deck in the morning with my coffee that I could notice the staining!

Posted by: Patrick24599 Oct 9 2005, 10:05 PM

QUOTE (joseph23573 @ Oct 6 2005, 09:14 AM)

this supplement doesn't seem worth the $$$ to me IMO. If you want an anti-inflammatory, ibruprofen.....works great and doesn't cause skin "discolor". at high doses it may upset the stomach, so just take it with food. just my 2cents...

I bought it primarily for it's anti-oxidant and liver protective effects.