Yes, I know that it looked like Katie Holmes’ hands had been involved in some sort of horrible henna accident. And, yes, I know that rumors are swirling that the purple color was a result of Scientology’s Purification Rundown, a controversial detox program that involves ingesting large amounts of Niacin, drinking cooking oil, running on a treadmill and sitting for extended periods of time in a sauna. And, yes, I will admit that my mind immediately turned to the “Purif” when PerezHilton.com posted pictures of the actress’ extremities appearing to be the color and texture of, say, E.T.’s. Now I’m not a fan of the Purif as large doses of vitamins, especially fat-soluble ones can be toxic, and the body is designed to detox itself on a regular basis; yes, I’m talking about urination. So as much as I would like to join in the conspiratorial chattering, it seems to me that it’s much more likely that Katie is suffering from a symptom such as Raynaud’s Phenomenon–a disorder that effects blood vessels in the extremities, rather than Niacin poisoning.
Now, I’m no doctor, but I did consult one with my suspicions. Niacin is known to create extreme flushing when taken at high doses, but I had never heard of it turning anyone’s fingers purple. When shown the picture of Holmes’ hands, my physician friend pointed out that the hand was “dependent” (a fancy way to say below the heart) and being held by Tom’s hand. Isn’t the media always saying that Tom has a tight grip on Katie? Perhaps it’s literally as well as figuratively?
But what about the pictures that Hilton published previous to the unveiling of the purple paw: pictures of Holmes wearing gloves, tucking her hands into the end of long sleeves, and “conspicuously covering” her hands? Indeed, it is hard to understand why someone would be consistently covering their hands in sunny California unless you have ever suffered from a circulatory issue such as Raynaud’s. People I know with the syndrome tell me that near boiling water is the only thing that will return feeling and circulation to their fingertips. And it doesn’t matter if it’s 100 degrees out; Raynaud’s can be set off by stress and since Katie was making a return to episodic television with a guest appearance on “Eli Stone” last week might she not have been stressed?
Gossip gangstar Hilton had surmised that the discoloration was actually for her part on the show until an insider told him that it had nothing to do with the show, but everything to do with the Scientology Purification. I’m not overly intimately familiar with the other vitamins used–I’ve heard A and Calcium mentioned, and I’m sure a former Scientologist would know the actual side effects best (assuming that Hilton’s source is one or is close to the church), but it would seem that there are dozens of explanations– from medical conditions to medications–for her discolored and covered hands.
What I find even more curious than her mauvish mittens is her reluctance to address the rumors. Holmes and hubby Cruise have been so swept up in the Scientology tsunami that they have alienated, no pun intended, much of their middle America fan-base and are looking for ways to resurrect their careers. Heck, Cruise is so desperate that he is in talks to do a sequel to “Top Gun.” So why not end the speculation and dispel or confirm the rumors in People magazine or on “Oprah”? Either way, they’d make strides in regaining the upper hand, pun intended, when it comes to controlling the spin.
posted July 24, 2008 at 6:31 pm
If she did not do the “Purif” she might consider doing it. As you say “it is hard to understand why someone would be consistently covering their hands in sunny California unless you have ever suffered from a circulatory issue such as Raynaud’s.”
The link you provided on Raynaud’s says:
* Niacin. Niacin, also known as vitamin B-3, causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow to skin. This has led scientists to believe that niacin supplements may be useful in treating Raynaud’s.
posted July 24, 2008 at 8:06 pm
I have Raynauds. It doesn’t turn your fingers purple. Actually, it does the opposite… it constricts bloodflow and they turn white.
posted July 24, 2008 at 9:55 pm
She is an adult…if she has gone through the “Purif”, then she is just following her religion. Even though she and Tom are movie stars, they are entitled to their privacy.
posted July 24, 2008 at 10:11 pm
You think potentially dangerous and toxic “religious” practices made up by some sci-fi writer that may be harming a person that a lot of people care about should just be ignored?
posted July 25, 2008 at 12:22 am
I don’t care about the religious elements, but the fact that the scientology has policies that involve abandoning relationships with your family deserves criticism.
That’s not even mentioning their constant harassment of critics (called “fair game”), and high ranking members committing crimes like operation freak out, and getting arrested for spying on the government.
Don’t believe me? Google fair game, operation freak out, and operation snow white.
Also, what kind of religion charges people hundreds of thousands of dollars just to read their sacred texts?
posted July 25, 2008 at 8:51 am
No. I’m sure niacin has nothing to do with the purple-hand “problem.”
Check at http://www.cholesterolscore.com to find out anything you’d want to know about the therapeutic use of niacin.
posted July 25, 2008 at 9:56 am
Consider the fact that she was photographed the day before wearing black gloves. Was this for her part in ES? Were they leather gloves? How hot would your hands be in LA wearing black leather? Possibly hot enough to sweat? Black leather gloves stain hands. Ask any weighlifter.
Please use logic when making silly assumptions instead of immediately putting on the tin foil hats.
posted July 25, 2008 at 4:47 pm
This is the crazy stuff that LRH came up with in his own little mind.
The guy was nuts and anyone that believes his stupid sci fi ramblings should get their Jedi costume on and await the mothership.
Scientology is a cult.
posted July 25, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Is Scientology any more of a cult than say the JW’s or the Mormons or the RCC or any other organized religion? There are many strange stories involved in religions…virgin births,crucified man returning from the dead, a male parent watching from above (that must be worshipped),babies waiting in heaven for their trip to earth (to be born) etc.
posted July 25, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I am most upset because Katie Holmes has abandoned the religion she was baptized into and supposedly raised in–Roman Catholicism. She left the faith of her birth for Tom Cruise–Scientology is a made up religion by a science fiction writer–Roman Catholicism goes back 2000 years and is based in Apostolic teaching.. Go Figure !
posted July 26, 2008 at 12:12 pm
“Is Scientology any more of a cult than say the JW’s or the Mormons or the RCC or any other organized religion?”
I believe it’s certainly more ambitious with regards to politics and infiltration:
“Somebody some day will say ‘this is illegal’.
By then be sure the orgs say what is legal or not.”
(L. Ron Hubbard, HCOPL 4 January 1966)
Organized Scientology also has OSA, which is a mixture of intelligence agency (OSA invest) and PR department.
IMHO, Scientology is more a business than a religion anyway. The religion is an aspect of cloaking to gain tax exempt status, which succeeded in the US in the year 1993 after a massive campaign of pressure, PIs and lawsuits against the IRS over the course of more than a decade, which resulted in the IRS reversing there long holding stance that Scientology certainly is NOT worthy tax-exempt. It appears like the IRS was succesfully intimidated by the Scientology organization. This deserves a complete investigation in my opinion.
Here’s a link to a NYT article on this topic:
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Cowen/essays/nytimes.html
Another example of infiltration is “Operation Snow White”.
I believe if there is any comparable organization in the US it may be the Moonies, but I can’t really asses this.
posted July 26, 2008 at 11:43 pm
strange story, considering NICOLE KIDMAN was critiqued about the very same thing years ago, while still with TC. some suggested raynaud’s also, or rheumatoid arthritis, or just her pale complexion, but she hid her hands often, too.
i can’t say if this is still happening to her or not, i just recall the stink made about it back then.
posted July 28, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Why do we care? I mean, really, why does this matter to anyone other than Katie and her fruit basket of a husband?
posted July 28, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Mormonism is not a cult – obviously you are ignorant about many religions. Read a book.
posted July 29, 2008 at 8:37 pm
kem: Have read about Mormons…and that is why I have come to the conclusion that the LDS church is a lot like a cult. Also happen to have 2 LDS members in my immediate family. And FYI, I have read many books about many religions. Sorry to burst your bubble.
posted August 14, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Mormonism not a cult? Oh my goodness! I haven’t had a laugh that good in a long time!