How to stop turmeric from killing people

The Economist ^ | April 16 | The Economist

[RandFan]

Turmeric, a flowering plant of the ginger family, has long been prized in Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties and in Asian cuisines for its earthy flavour and vibrant hue. Haldi, the spice’s Hindi name, is derived from the Sanskrit for “golden coloured”. But for the millions of South Asians who habitually consume it, turmeric’s skin-staining yellowness can be deceptive and deadly.

To heighten their colour, the rhizomes from which the spice is extracted are routinely dusted with lead chromate, a neurotoxin. The practice helps explain why South Asia has the highest rates of lead poisoning in the world. The heart and brain diseases it causes—to which children are especially susceptible—accounted for at least 1.4m deaths in the region in 2019. The economic cost is crippling; that year lead poisoning is estimated to have lowered South Asian productivity by the equivalent of 9% of gdp. Yet it turns out that with clever policies, enlightened leadership and astute messaging this blight can be greatly reduced. Bangladesh has shown how.

[libh8er]

Do you believe this to be true?

I have read that this is the case with turmeric imported from Bangladesh. From India not so much. Just avoid turmeric with bright yellow color. Natural turmeric is slightly reddish or orangish.

[Freest Republican]

That video is mesmerizing.

It is obv also 15mins worth of perspective on life.

Thanks for taking the time to post it.

[Chad C. Mulligan]

Daughter insisted I take a hefty dose of turmeric every day, because for the last ten years I have been plagued with severe low back pain that nothing in the modern medical pantheon has helped very much. Also incipient arthritis in hands and knees. I stopped taking it about six months ago because it is so expensive, and guess what? Absolutely zero difference in my pain levels. I’ve been lying to her to keep the peace, but now I can tell her about this lead problem.

[Steely Tom]

Yes, it may be a deadly poison, but it’s rich flavor is impossible to get by any other means.

[rexthecat]

...an estimated 275 million children aged 0 to 9 years in India still have (high) blood lead levels..

Then why do they win all the spelling bees??

[Dr. Sivana]

It is grimly humorous that all of us have been told conflicting advice on so many health things.

LEAD is different than coffee, wine and butter. There is no question that a significant intake of lead is BAD NEWS. Lead is an element, so the subtleties in a complex substance like chocolate, coffee or wine are not part of the analysis.

We know what lead does, and how it does it.

[lee martell]

Here I thought Turmeric was the bestest, most healthy thing since UN-sliced bread. Maybe just don’t use a ton.

[cherry]

I've been taking tumeric religiously for a couple of years....I can't say it has worked wonders but maybe its prevented further damage to my joints....my fingers are just awful....

I have to say that since the beginning of covid I've taken lots of vitamins....something has worked because I've never had covid or even the flu for 4 yrs now...had one little cold last week....

I read these reports and I consider them...

[Freest Republican]

the key is the in India part. The spelling bee kids live here.

[The Old Hoosier]

What you say isn't true. Here's what The Economist actually says:

To heighten their colour, the rhizomes from which the spice is extracted are routinely dusted with lead chromate, a neurotoxin. The practice helps explain why South Asia has the highest rates of lead poisoning in the world.

The Economist didn't say that Turmeric is poisoning people. You did.

[RandFan]

No i took it from their tweet actually which said it’s “killing people.”

https://twitter.com/TheEconomist/status/1780441210131292591

Stop nit-picking please

[ifinnegan]

Title is “ How to stop turmeric from killing people”

[Veto!]

I’ve been taking 10 supplements a day for at least 15 years including Turmeric Curcumin with BioPerine 95% Standardized Curcuminoids 1950mg - Black Pepper Extract for Max Absorption, Nature’s Joint Support Supplement, Herbal Turmeric Pills, Non-GMO .

My MD prescribes them along with several other vitamins and minerals including one gram of C. He didn’t think I needed a covid shot either, because he believes I have a great immune system. In the last 15 years, I had one cold.

I really believe in prevention. All prescription drugs have side effects for some people.

[Gene Eric]

What has the Economist said about the vax?

I believe it was the Economist the featured an article by the insipid Peggy Noonan expressing her orgasmic love for Obama circa 2008. Good chance I’m mistaken, but both projected the same degree of Progressivism at the time.

[jy8z]

Thanks for posting this. Reminds me I haven’t taken my daily dose of Liposomal Turmeric yet.

[sauropod]

I don’t believe anything The Economist says.

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

I buy my Tumeric from a local source. Grown in the mountains of NC.
https://www.gaiaherbs.com/products/turmeric-supreme-joint

Swanson also sells it.
https://www.swansonvitamins.com/p/gaia-herbs-turmeric-supreme-joint-health-60-vegan-caps

[caddie]

None of that Western medicine for me! I want Gaia’s best Aurvedic medicine made by truly wise pigmented people. Not white racists in the medical establishment who make money off me being sick! Pass the lead, please!

[PGalt]

Thanks for posting. Interesting.

[xoxox]

Nature bad.